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HISTORY
OF
ESSEX COUNTY
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS
EDITED BY
H. P. SMITH
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS
i88s
D. MAgOJ<f & CO.,
PUBLISHERS AND PEINTEE8,
63 WEST WATER ST.,
SYRACUSE, N. Y
INTRODUCTORY.
WHILE it may seem to the uninitiated a task involving but little difficulty
to prepare for publication a work no more comprehensive in character
than this volume, and containing merely the history of a single county, still it
is not out of place here to assure all such readers that the work is one demand-
ing a vast amount of labor and research, watchful care, untiring patience and
fair discrimina!tion. This need not be said to any person who has had experi-
ence in similar work. In attempting the production of a creditable history of
Essex county the publishers and the editor did not underestimate the diffi-
culties of their task, and came to it fully imbued with a clear idea of its mag-
nitude and determination to execute it in such a manner that it should receive
the general commendation of all into whose hands it should fall. It is believed
that this purpose has been substantially carried out, and that, while a perfect
historical work has never yet been published, this one will be found to contain
so few imperfections that the most critical readers will be satisfied.
It is a part of the plans of the publishers in the production of county his-
tories to secure, as far as possible, local assistance, either as writers, or in the
revision of all manuscripts; the consequence being that the work bears a locaL
character which could not otherwise be secured, and, moreover, comes from
the press far more complete and perfect than could possibly be the case were
it entrusted wholly to the efforts of comparative strangers to the locality in
hand. In carrying out this plan in this county the editor has been tendered
such generous co-operation and assistance of various kinds that to merely men-
tion all who have thus aided is impossible ; the satisfaction of having assisted
in the production of a commendable public enterprise must be their present
reward. But there are some who have given so generously of their labor and
time towards the consummation of this work, that to leave them unmentioned
would be simple injustice. Of such are Drs. Lyman Barton and Safford E.
iv Introductory.
Hale, of Essex and Elizabethtown, respectively, who prepared the chapter or
the medical profession ; A. W. Boynton, esq., of Keeseville, who wrote th«
very interesting chapter devoted to the legal profession ; the Rev. William R
Woodbridge, of Port Henry, who prepared the chapter on the Masonic ordei
in the county ; Joseph Cook, of Ticonderoga, for the use of the very valuable
pamphlet written by him a number of years ago, and 'for other essential aid ;
and Hon. William E. Calkins, of the same town, for the use of much material
and other unselfish assistance ; General John Hammond and Thomas R. Kneil,
of Crown Point, for valuable aid ; Professor E. J. Owen,, of Moriah, for a his-
tory of the Sherman Academy of that town; A. J. B. Ross, esq., of Essex, for
the most generous outlay of tinnie and the use of valuable ancient documents,
etc. ; Washington Chase, esq., of Newcomb, for valuable aid in the preparation
of the history of that town ; Captain R. W. Livingston, of Elizabethtown, for
aid in revising military matter and press history ; E. R. Wallace, publisher of
the valuable Descriptive Guide to the Adirondacks, for use of materials, etc. ;
the clergy of the entire county for assistance in making the very complete
church histories of the various towns ; the press of the county for use of files,
etc. ; and lastly, though not the less important, the family and others interested
in the very valuable History of Essex County, written some years since by the
late Winslow C. Watson, for the use of information contained therein. To
these names, to the possessors of which these brief acknowledgments are very
inadequate, might be added hundreds of others in different parts of the county
whose courtesy and unselfishness will be long remembered.
In the arrangement of the town historiesherein," it Was deemed proper to
place that of Crown Point first, with Ticonderoga next, as embodying the
oldest and most important portion of the work ; following these the towns are
placed in chronological order, with reference to the dates of their formation
With this word of introduction the work is commended to its readers by
the publishers and
The Editor.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE SUBJECT.
PAGE.
Beginning of its History — Formation of the County — Situation and Boundaries — Extent
in Square Miles and Acres. 17
CHAPTER n.
NATUEAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Character of the Northern Wilderness — The Mountain System of the County —
The Five Ranges — Elevation of Different Localities — General Topography — Water
System and Drainage — The Hudson River — West Branch of the Ausable — The
Ausable — The Boquet and other Streams — Lakes and Ponds — Water Power —
Geology and Mineralogy — The Non-bearing Rock — Primary Rooks — Limestone —
Magnetic Oxide of Iron — Locality of Various Beds — Sedimentary Rocks — Minerals
of the County — Forests and their Character — The Flora — Animals and Fish — Nat-
ural Curiosities. 18
CHAPTER HI.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
Improbability of More than Temporary Occupation by Indians — Lake Champlain as a
Highway for Indian Canoes — Origin of the name, " Adirondack " — Legendary Indian
Conquest in North Elba — Traces of Occupation Anterior to the Indians — Claimants
to Territory of Essex County at the Advent of the Europeans — Tradition of the Origin
of the Iroquois League — Its Peculiarities — Military Statutes of the Confederacy —
Personal and Social Habits and Characteristics — Missionary Labors. 32
vi Contents.
CHAPTER IV.
EUROPEAN DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION.
PAGE.
The First European Colonists — Discoveries by Columbus and his Immediate Successors
Competition for the New World Territory — New France and its Colonization — Failure
of the Scheme— The Second Attempt and its Failure — Final Success — Champlain's
Advent — Explorations under De Chastes and De Monts — Champlain's Colony of
1608 — Founding of Quebec — Champlain's Expedition against the Iroquois — The
First Battle — Henry Hudson and Dutch Colonization — The English Colonies at
Jamestown and Plymouth Rock — Claims of three European Powers — Sub.sequent
Career of Champlain — Fortunes of New France. 43
CHAPTER V.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The Champlain "Valley as a Field of Warfare — End of the Dutch Regime — De Courcelles'
Expedition — M. de Tracy's Incursion against the Mohawks — Events of 1666 and
1667 — Count de Frontenac — Peace of 1673 — Renewal of Hostilities — DelaBarre's
Proposed Expedition against the Senecas — Arrival of De Nonville — His Policy —
Invasion of the Senecas' Country — Revenge of the Indians — Montreal Sacked and
Burned — Return of Frontenac — Three Expeditions — Schenectady Burned — Enghsh
Apathy — Failure of Two Movements against the French — John Schuyler's Success-
ful Incursion — Deplorable Condition of the French Colonists — Famine — Frontenac's
Operation against the Mohawks and Onondagas — Peace. 54
CHAPTER VI.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY.
Relative Justice of French and English Claims — Renewed Hostilities by the French —
Occupation of Crown Point by the French — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — Continued
Hostilities — Braddook's Expeditions — The Movement against Crown Point — Ticon-
deroga — Arrival of Vaudreuil and Dieskau — Battle between Johnson and Dieskau —
The English Victorious — French Retreat to Ticonderoga — Building of Fort William
Henry. 62
CHAPTER VII.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR.
Plans of the Campaign — Apathy and Indecision of the English — Brilliant Deeds of the Ran-
gers — Arrival of Montcalm — Oswego Captured — Preparation for Attacking Crown
Contents. vii
PAGE.
Point and Ticonderoga — Campaign of 1757 — Marin's Operations — Montcalm's Plans
to Capture Fort William Henry — Council with the Indians — De Levis's March — Sit-
uation of the Fort — "Webb's Pusillanimous Conduct — Fall of the Fort — Indian
Atrocity upon the Garrison — Montcalm's Responsibility — The Situation at the End
of the Campaign. 76
CHAPTER VIII.
CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR.
Prospects for 1758 — Disheartening Situation in France — Famine — England's Preponder-
ance — Deeds of the Rangers under Rogers and Putnam — Campaign Plans — Three
Expeditions — Fall of Louisburg and Du Quesne — Expedition against Ticonderoga —
Death of General Howe and its Consequences — The French Position — First Repulse
of the EngUsh — Assault on the French Lines — A Sanguinary Conflict — Heroism of
the English — Abercrombie's Headquarters — French Victories — Montcalm's EiJective
Activity — Movements of the Rangers — Putnam's Danger — His Escape. 81
CHAPTER IX.
EXTINCTION OF FRENCH POWER IN AMERICA.
Continuation of the Famine — -Exigencies of the French — Montcalm's Prophecies — Pitt's
Zeal and its Effect — The Proposed Campaign — Abercrombie's Recall and Amherst's
Appointment — His Extensive Mih tary Preparations — Assembling His Army — Mont-
calm Asks so be Recalled — Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point by Amherst —
Destruction of the Indian Village of St. Francis — Rogers's Wonderful Expedition —
Amherst's Fleet and its Operations — General Wolfe before Quebec — Fall of the City —
Montcalm and Wolfe Killed — Strengthening of Crown Point and Ticonderoga — Cam-
paign of 1760 — Extinction of French Power in the New.World. 90
CHAPTER X.
FIRST COLONIZATION.
Conflicting Land Grants — The Champlain Valley thrown into Market — William Gilliland's
Purchase — His Remarkable Colony — Plan of Leasing to Tenants — Departure of the
Colony from New York — Extracts from Gilliland's Journal ^ — His Arbitrary Act —
Drowning of His Daughter — The Boundary Commission. 96
CHAPTER XI.
PREPARING FOR THE REVOLUTION.
The "New Hampshire Grants" Controversy — Its Final Settlement — Oppressive Acts of
viii Contents.
PAGE.
Parliament towards the Colonists — Taxation for Revenue — The " Sons of Liberty" —
The Stamp Act— Its Final Repeal — Custom House Act — Retaliation on English
Trade — The Liberty Pole Attack — Skirmish in the Streets — First Bloodshed of the
Revolution. Ill
CHAPTER XII.
FROM 1770 TO 1775.-
Governor Colden's Successor — Old Troubles Renewed — A Large Cup of Tea — Congress
and its Declaration of Rights — Impending War — The British March to Lexington —
Paul Revere's Ride — The Battle on the G-reen — Retreat of the British — Preparations
for the Capture of Crown Point and Ticonderoga — Ethan Allen's Command — Arnold's
Arrival and its Consequences — Plan of the Expedition — Capture of Ticonderoga —
Surrender of Crown Point — Reassembhng of Congress — Congressional Vacillation —
Allen and Arnold's Naval Exploit — Indian Action in the Revolution — The Canadian
Invasion — Montgomery's Initial Movements — Allen's Capture — Carleton's Plan for
Relief of St. Johns — Its Failure — Capture of St. Johns and Montreal by Montgomery
— Arnold's Wonderful Expedition — Montgomery Before Quebec — Demand for its
Surrender, and the Reply — Montgomery's Death and the Failure of the Attack — A
Disastrous Retreat — Charlotte County Created — Militia Affairs. 115
CHAPTER XIII.
CLOSE OF 1776.
The Canadian Mission — Its Failure — Hostilities near New York — Battle of Long Island
— Small-Pox at Crown Point — Carleton's Pursuit of the Americans — Building a
British Fleet for Lake Champlain — Counter-action by Arnold — Sailing of the British
Fleet — Respective Positions of the American and British Vessels — The Engagement
— Retirement of the Americans — Rapid Pursuit — Arnold's Bravery — Burning of a
Portion of the Fleet — Escape of the Remainder to Crown Point — The British Retire
to Canada for the Winter. ]^27
CHAPTER XIV.
PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Persecution of Wm. Gilliland — His Memorial to Congress — Charged with Treasonable
Acts — Plans of the English for the Campaign of 1777 — Burgoyne's Army and its
Equipment — His Conference with the Indians and its Consequences — Embarrassment
of the American Commanders — General Schuyler again in Command of the Northern
Department— Extracts from Dr. Thacher's Journal — His Views upon the Military
Contents. ix
PAGE.
Situation — The Defense at Ticonderoga — Burgoyne's Bombast — St. Clair in Com-
mand at Ticonderoga — Weakness of His Force — The Assault — The Fatal Mistake
of the,Americans- — Mount Defiance Unfortified — Seized by the British — Evacua-
tion the only Alternative ^ — Thacher's Account of the Plight — Vigorous Pursuit of
the British — Battle of Hubbardton — American Despondency over the Capture of
Ticonderoga — Schuyler Superseded by Gates — Battle of Bennington — Burgoyne's
Increasing Perplexities — Engagements at Bemis's Heights — The British Retire —
Surprise of the British at Lake Gjeorge Landing — Burgoyne Surrounded — His Sur-
render — British Evacuation of Ticonderoga. 132
CHAPTER XV.
TO THE CLOSE OP THE REVOLUTION.
Brief Review of the Events of 1778-79 — Their Bearing on the General Contest — Sir
John Johnson's Voyage up Lake Ohamplain — Its Professed Object— Cruel and
Bloody Slaughter in the Mohavi^k Valley — A Slave's Faithfulness — The Prisoners
Captured — Plans for Escape from Chambly — Jacob and Frederick' Sammons — Thrill-
ing Escape of Jacob — His Journey through the Wilderness — An Unsympathetic
Settler — Kindness of his Wife to the Fugitives — Raw Fish for His Food — Bitten
by a Rattlesnake and the Heroic Treatment — Giving up to Die — A Hopeful Pre-
monition — Safe at Last — Approach of the End — Carleton's Expedition up Lake
Champlain — Exemption of Vermont from Devastation — Alleged Negotiations with
the Enemy — An Armistice — A Separate Colony under the Crown — Sudden Ter-
mination of Negotiations by the Surrender of Cornwallis — Peace. 143
CHAPTER XVI.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Persecution of William Gilliland — Petition of the Albany Committee — His Subsequent
Career — Hopefulness in Spite of 111- Fortune — Loss of His Estates — Imprisoned in
New York — Sickness and Mental Depression — Appeal to Creditors — The Melancholy
End — Occupation and Settlement of the Champlain Valley — Division of Washington
County — Internal Improvements — Ferries, Roads, and Bridges Built — Early Set-
tlements in Various LocaUties — The First County Seat — Organization and Boundaries
of Essex County — Inauguration of Courts — First County Officers - Early Roads,
Mills, etc. — First Iron Industry — Early Schools and Churches — The Pioneer's Early
Work — A Picturesque Account of the Settler's Life — Early Industries — Formation
of New Towns. 154
CHAPTER XVII.
FROM 1810 TO 1825.
Mutterings of War — British Outrages — President Madison's Address to Congress —
Contents.
PAGE.
Declaration of War — Review of the Contest — Operations in and near Essex County
— Invasion of New York from the North — Response in Essex County — Battle of
Plattsburg — The Naval Engagement — American Victory — The Treaty of Ghent —
Beneficial Consequences of Peace — G-rowth of Settlements — The Cold Summer —
Internal Improvements — The First Newspaper — State Legislation Affecting the
County — Boundaries of the County as Fixed by Law — Offer of State Lands to Pro-
mote Settlements — Early Ferries — New Towns Formed. 175
CHAPTER XVIII.
FROM 1825 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
An Era of Prosperity in Essex County — Lumber, Iron and Commercial Interests — Ferries
and Roads — Railroad Legislation — Improvement of Water Ways — The " Patriot
War " — Its Effect upon Essex County — Negro Colonization in North Elba — John
Brown's Interest in the Project — Its Ultimate Entire Failure — Formation of Towns
— Development of Iron and Lumber Interests — Decline of the Latter Industry — Im-
provement in Agriculture — Comparative Statistics — The Agricultural Society — Stock
Breeding — Further Road Extension — Politics and the Outbreak of the Rebellion —
Prosperity and G-rowth after the Return, of Peace — The Great Wilderness and its
future — Civil List. 184
CHAPTER XIX.
ESSEX COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.
Call to Arms — Pn Response in Essex County — First Official Action to provide for
Payment of Volunteers — Details of Official Action upon the Bounty Question — Men
Enlisted from each Town — Deaths in each Town — The Twenty-second Regiment —
The Thirty-fourth Regiment— The Thirty-eighth Regiment — The Forty-fourth Regi-
ment— The Seventy-seventh Regiment — The Ninety-sixth Regiment — Fifth New
York Cavalry — The One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment — The One Hundred
and Fifty- third Regiment — The Second New York Cavalry. 197
CHAPTER XX.
LAND PATENTS, TITLES, ETC.
Early Divisions of the Public Domain — Claims of Different Nations to the Territory of
New York — Conditions of British Grants to Retired Officers and Soldiers — Loans of
Lands by Original Grantees — Land Patents in the County — Difficulties of Map Mak-
ing, etc. 214
Contents.
CHAPTER XXI.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN, ITS COMMERCE, ETC.— OTHER INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
PAGE.
Lake Champlain — Desirability for Navigation — Islands of the Lake — Early Passenger
and Freight Traffic on the Lake — The First Steamboat on the Lake — Timber and
Lumber on the Lake — Influence of the Champlain Canal — Details of its Construction
— The Champlain Transportation Company — History of Steamboating on the Lake —
Early Pilots, Docks, etc. — Commerce in 1868 — Late Commercial Statistics — Other
Navigation Projects — The Northern Inland Lock Navigation Company — Great Chazy
Navigation Company — Northern Slackwater and Railway Company — Lighthouses —
Railroads — Adirondack Railroad — Great Ausable Railway Company — Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company's Line. 258
CHAPTER XXn.
COUNTY SEAT, BUILDINGS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
The First County Seat — Its Change to EUzabethtown-- The First Court House— The
Second Building and its Additions — The State Arsenal — The County Poor House
Statistics — The Essex County Agricultural Society. 273
CHAPTER XXin.
THE BENCH AND BAR OF ESSEX COUNTY.
The Judiciary of New York — Court of Appeals — Supreme Court — County Court — Sur-
rogate's Court — Justice's Court and Special Sessions — The Bench of Essex County
— General Character of the Bar — Members of Her former Bar --The Present Bar —
Sketches of Eminent Dead. 278
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ESSEX COUNTY.
Practicing Medicine in Early Days — Difficulties in the Way of Obtaining a Medical Edu-
cation— Notes of Prominent Early Physicians — Essex County Medical Society —
Lost Records — Organization — Delegates from Essex County to the State Medical
Society — Prominent Early Members and their Delegates — Officers of the Society —
Present Membership. 306
CHAPTER XXV.
THE COUNTY PRESS.
General Remarks — The Reveille, First Journal in the County — The Essex Patriot — The
xii COMTENTS.
PAGE.
Essex Republican — Keeseville Herald — Essex County Republican — Essex County
Times — A Veteran Journalist — Blizabethtown Post — Ticonderoga Sentinel — Crown
Point Budget — The Death Roll of Journalism. 315
CHAPTER XXVI.
FREE MASONRY IN ESSEX COUNTY.
Age of the Local Order — Number of Lodges that have been Established in the County —
First Lodge in the County — Officers — Other Lodges and Chapters. 318
CHAPTER XXVn.
History of the Town of Crown Point 324
CHAPTER XXVHI.
History of the Town of Ticonderoga 861
CHAPTER XXIX.
History of the Town of Willsborough 441
CHAPTER XXX.
History of the Town of Jay 454
CHAPTER XXXI.
History of the Town of Elizabethtown 466
CHAPTER XXXII.
History of the Town of Chesterfield 493
CHAPTER XXXIII.
History of the Town of Schroon 538
CHAPTER XXXIV.
History of the Town of Essex kaq
CHAPTER XXXV.
History of the Town of Lewis cor
CHAPTER XXXVI.
History of the Town of Moriah cop
Contents. xiii
CHAPTER XXXVII.
PAGE.
History of the Town of Keene 609
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
History of the Town of Westport 61.5
CHAPTER XXXIX.
History of the Town of Minerva 632
CHAPTER XL.
Hstory of the.Town of Wilmington 6.37
CHAPTER XLI.
History of the Town of Newcomb 641
CHAPTER XLII.
History of the Town of St. Armand 651
CHAPTER XLIII.
History of the Town of North Hudson 656
CHAPTER XLIV.
History of the Town of North Elba 660
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BOYNTON, ALBERT A ;..... 689
BRADFORD, ENOS 674
BUCK, RAWSON CLARK ■ ; ; 683
CALKINS, WILLIAM E 705
CLARK, GEORGE DENTON 690
COOK, JOSEPH 681
COWAN, THOMAS 674
;DB LANO, HON. CLAYTON H 672
EALE, HON. ROBERT S 303
AMMOND, GENERAL JOHN 343
AND, HON. AUGUSTUS C 297
xiv Contents.
PAGE,
HAVENS, HON. PALMER E 69f
HOOPER, WILLIAM .•...........;. ..■...•;.■..•.. 67J
KELLOaa, HON. ORLANDO 30C
M'KENZIE, ALEXANDER 67£
NOBLE, GENERAL RANSOM 666
NOBLE, HARMON 67C
OWEN, EDWARD J 67V
ROSS, HENRY HOWARD 695
ROSS, HON. HENRY H 292, 691
SHERMAN, GEORGE 686
SIMMONS, GEORGE A 299
SIM0ND8, WILLIAM 684
SMITH, DR. JOHN 673
WITHERBEE, JONATHAN GILMAN 687
WOODFORD, CHARLES W 679
ILLUSTRATIONS,
BOYNTON, ALBERT A. portrait facing 688
BRADFORD, ENOS portrait " 336
BUCK, RAWSON CLARK portrait " 684
CALKINS, WILLIAM E portrait " 704
CLARK, GEORGE DENTON .portrait " 384
COOK, WARNER portrait " 392
COOK, WILLIAM H portrait " 400
COOK, REV. JOSEPH portrait " 362
COWAN, THOMAS- portrait " 674
DE LANO, HON. CLAYTON H portrait " 426
DIESKAU'S FIRST ENGAGEMENT plan of " 74
DIESKAU'S SECOND ENGAGEMENT plan of " 75
FORT WILLIAM HENRY plan of the siege of 82
GILLILAND, WILLIAM portrait facing 154
GILLILAND TRACT fac-siraile of ancient chart of part of, between 544-545
HALE, HON. ROBERT S portrait. facing 304;
HAMMOND, GENERAL JOHN portrait " 3421
HAND, JUDGE AUGUSTUS C portrait " 29ti
HAVENS, HON. PALMER E V. . .portrait '■ 55,!
Contents. xv
HOOPER, WILLIAM portrait
HOOPER CONCENTRATOR yiew of
KELLOGG, HON. ORLANDO portrait
LIVINGSTON, R. W portrait
M'KENZIE, ALEXANDER portrait
MERRIAM, W. P portrait
NOBLE, GENERAL RANSOM portrait
NOBLE, HARMON portrait
OWEN, EDWARD J portrait
ROSS, HON. HENRY H portrait
ROSS, HENRY HOWARD, 2d portrait
SHERMAN, GEORGE portrait ,
SIMONDS, WILLIAM portrait
SMITH, DR. JOHN portrait
TICONDEROGA AND ITS DEFENSES plan of, August, 1776
WITHERBBE, JONATHAN GILMAN portrait facing 576
WOODFORD, CHARLES W portrait " 680
PAGE.
facing
: 402
_
677
ii
300
11
316
Cl
568
•'
616
u
668
11
670
11
606
u
292
il
542
u
686
il
-488
il
310
86
HISTORY
OF
ESSEX COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
THE SUBJECT.
Beginning of its History— Formation of the County — Situation and Boundaries — Extent in
Square Miles and Acres.
THE history of Essex county properly begins near the opening of the
seventeenth century when Samuel Chainplain, with two attendants and a
party of Canadian Indians, started on an expedition against the Five Nations
of the proud Iroquois. Previous to that time little is known of the Champlain
valley except as it is handed down through tradition and romance. Afterwards
it became the theatre of most important events, chiefly of a military character,
which were intimately associated with the final settlement, occupation and ac-
quisition of the territory on both sides of the St. Lawrence river. From the
date when Champlain's party of invaders entered the lake which now bears
his name (July 4th, 1609) to the present time, the historic traces are generally
clearly defined, gradually broadening outward towards the present advanced
state of civilized occupation. Essex county was not formed until 1799, almost
a century after its borders upon the eastern side, along the beautiful lake, were
first beheld by the intrepid French discoverer ; but a large portion of its his-
tory had at that time already been enacted. It, therefore, becomes advisable
to state that the subject of this work is the territory comprised within the
present limits of the county, and the inhabitants thereof, whether the events
2 17
History of Essex County.
recorded occurred before or after the beginning of the county's existence as a
defined section of the State of New York. In the proper accompHshment of
this task it will, of course, be necessary to often extend the record to events
which occurred throughout the Champlain valley and even beyond its limits.
When, therefore, "Essex County" is mentioned in connection with events
occurring previous to the formation and naming of the county, it will be under-
stood that the words are thus used to avoid unnecessary explanation, and refer
to the territory now comprised in the county.
Essex county, formed from Clinton, March ist, 1799, lies upon the western
shore of Lake Champlain in the northeastern part of the State of New York ; it
is centrally distant from Albany one hundred miles, and contains 1,779 square
miles. It is bounded on the north by Clinton and Frankhn counties ; on the
east by Lake Champlain ; on the south by Warren and Washington counties ;
and on the west by Hamilton and Franklin counties. The extent of the
■county in acres is 1,138,500, and it is the second county in the State in terri-
torial extent, St. Lawrence alone exceeding it. In its greatest length from
north to south it is about fifty miles, and its width about forty miles. The
county is now divided into eighteen towns, many of which are larger than
some counties of the State.
Such is a brief general description of the subject of this work — a locality
which has been the theatre of events possessing gi eat historic interest; is filled
with some of nature's most marvelous works, and surrounded with an atmos-
phere of interesting romance.
CHAPTER II.
NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
General Character of the Northern \v ilderness — The Mountain System of the County — The Five
Ranges — Elevation of Different I-ocalitieS' — General Topography — Water System and Drainage —
The Hudson River — West Branch of the Ausable — The Ausable — The Boquet and other Streams
Lakes and Ponds — Water Povi'er — Geology and Mineralogy — The Non-bearing Kock Primary
Rocks — Limestone — Magnetic Oxide of Iron — Locality of Various Beds — Sedimentary Rocks
Minerals of the County — Forests and their Character — The Flora — Animals and Fish Natural
Curiosities.
THE territory of Essex county is a part of the extenswe plateau nearly one
hundred miles in extent in either direction and larger than many entire
States, which is variously spoken of as The Great Northern Wilderness or the
Adirondacks. This plateau ranges from fifteen hundred to eighteen hundred
feet above tide. It embraces nearly the whole of Essex, Warren, and Hamil-
Natural Characteristics. 19
ton counties, the southwest portion of Chnton, the south half of Franklin, the
southeastern third of St. Lawrence, the eastern third of Lewis, and the north-
ern half of Herkimer. Different portions of it are known under different
names ; the northern is called the Chateaugay woods ; the St. Regis woods lie
next below ; then comes the Saranac region ; then that of Raquette lake ; to
the eastward extend the Adirondacks ; and below, south and southwesterly,
are the Lake Pleasant region and John Brown's Tract. Much of this extensive
territory is still an unbroken wilderness, unpenetrated except by adventurous
sportsmen ; and it embraces scenery unsurpassed in some respects on the con-
tinent, as will be developed in the course of this work.
Essex county is taken out of the eastern part of this territory and borders
Lake Champlain, while its central and western part is the home of nearly the
entire group of Adirondack mountains (properly speaking, a portion of the
Clinton range, which passes nearly centrally across the county), and comprises
nine-tenths of the mountain system of the entire State. The Clinton, or as it
is now generally called, the Adirondack, range is the most important of the five
ranges running nearly parallel across the northeastern part of the State. The
three towns of Newcomb, North Elba, and Keene embrace within their limits
Mounts Marcy, Mclntyre, Colden and Santanoni (said to be a corruption of
St. Anthony), four of the loftiest, which form the watershed of the county from
which flow streams that find their way to the ocean by the way of the St. Law-
rence and others through New York bay.
All of the five mountain ranges that lie north of the Mohawk valley ex-
tend through portions of the county and terminate upon the shores of Lake
Champlain. Their direction is northeast and southwest, and they rise higher
in succession as the northern range is approached, which is the highest. The
axes of the ranges are nearly parallel and are about eight miles apart. The
ranges are not, however, distinct and continuous, but lateral spurs interlock
with each other and their continuity is broken by valleys and lowlands ; neither
are they regularly serrated, but comprise groups of sharp peaks connected by
immense ridges. In the words of one of the prominent explorers, " they seem
thrown together without system or order."
The most southerly of the five ranges scarcely touches the extreme south-
eastern corner of the county, and has been known as the Palmerton, the Lu-
zerne, the Black, and the Tongue mountains. It constitutes the highlands that
rise on both sides of Lake George and on the peninsula between the Lake
George outlet and Lake Champlain. Mount Defiance, the extremity of this ridge,
has an elevation of about 750 feet above the lake. It became an important
point in the military operations on Lakes Champlain and George.
The second range, known as the Kayaderosseras, extends through the south-
east part of the town of Schroon and about the center of Crown Point, ending
in the lofty cliff that overlooks Bulwagga bay. Along the course of this range
20 History of Essex County.
in Schroon is a cluster of peaks, the highest of which, Mount Pharaoh, is 3,500
to 4,000 feet above tide.
The third range occupies the western and northern parts of Schroon and
extends through the north part of Moriah and the center of Westport, ending
in the high promontory of Split Rock in the town of Essex. Bald Mountain,
in Westport, one of the noted peaks of this range, has an elevation of 2,065
feet above tide. This range is commonly known as the Schroon mountains.
The fourth range extends through the central parts of Minerva and North
Hudson, the southeast corner of Keene and Lewis, the northwest part of Eliz-
abethtown and the center of Willsboro, ending in the high bluffs which border
on Willsboro bay. It is sometimes called the Boquet range, from the river of
that name which flows at its base. Dix's Peak, in North Hudson, is the highest
mountain in the range, attaining the elevation of 5,200 feet and, next to Mount
Marcy, is the highest land in the State. Nipple-Top has an elevation of 4,900
feet. Raven Hill, in Elizabethtown, and Mount Discovery, in Lewis, are both
over 2,000 feet high.
The fifth range, now generally known as the Adirondacks, extends through
Newcomb, Keene, Jay, Lewis and Chesterfield, ending in the rocky promon-
tory of Trembleau Point in the northeast corner of the county. A spur of this
range extends northward on the borders of Jay and Chesterfield in a high,
unbroken ridge, which has a mean elevation of about 2,000 feet.
To the northward of the Adirondack range the mountains do not lie in
regular ranges, but are scattered in groups over a wide extent of territory. The
groups, however, lie parallel to the other ranges. Of these, Whiteface, in Wil-
mington, has an elevation of 4,855 feet, and Mount Seward is 5,100 feet high,
but lies just over the county line.
Essex is, by far, the most mountainous county in the State, and the region
has been called the " Tyrol of America." Here in these ranges lofty rocky
peaks and grand mountain masses abound, and wild broken crags and stu-
pendous precipices, narrow ravines and deep gorges give an Alpine character
to the landscape that renders it a Mecca to the lover of nature's grandeur ;
and yet, when we consider its situation within the limits of one of the most
populous States, the fact that it is still but little, known to the general public
becomes a striking one.
Besides the mountains already mentioned, the following that are generally
known by the names given, lie within the county : Wallface, Henderson, Hay-
stack, Robertson, Boreas, the Dial, the Gothics and Whiteface ; these, with
'Mount Seward in Franklin county and Blue Mountain in Hamilton, form the
Adirondack group proper; Moose Mountain, Mounts Baldwin, Goodenow and
Joseph ; McKenzie's Pond Mountain, the Keene peaks (called Big Pitch-off, the
Noon Mark and Rogers); Dix's Peak, Macomb Mountain, Owl's Head,' the
Dome, Bald Peak, BuKvagga Mountain, Bald Peak (in Moriah), Hoffman's and
Natural Characteristics. 21
Schroon mountains, Mounts Pharoah, Defiance and Discovery; Lead, -Buck
and Boquet mountains, Split Rock ; the Elizabethtown peaks (called the Ra-
ven, Wood Hill, the Cobble and Hurricane Peak) ; Green Mountain, Little
Pitch-ofif, Saddle Mountain, Mounts Lyon and Esther, Leggett Mountain ;
mountains of the Jay range (Mounts Ebenezer, Bassett, Hamlin, Clark and Hay-
stack), Poke-o'-Moonshine, Bosworth Mountain and Trembleau Point. There
are many other less important peaks with obscure names, or none at all. These
mountains, with a few exceptions, rise from two to five thousand feet and more
in height. Mount Marcy being 5,400 feet and almost reaching the limit of per-
petual snow. This mountainous region is wild and rugged, forest-covered ex-
cept the upper portions of the loftier peaks, and interspersed with ponds, small
lakes and clear streams. Thecounty has an average height of three thousand
feet above tide, while the following table shows the heights of different definite
localities: Lake Champlain, ninety-three feet ; Mount Mclntyre, 5,183 ; Wall-
face, 2,000; Mount Henderson, 3,000; Santanoni, S,000; Whiteface, 5,000;
Golden, 5,000; the Dial, 4,900; Boreas Mountain, 3,726; Dix's Peak, 5,200;
Mount Pharaoh, 4,000 ; Schroon Mountain, 3,200 ; Poke-o'-Moonshine, 3,000 ;
Bosworth Mountain, 3,000; Mount Goodenow and Moose Mountain, 3,000;
Hurricane Peak, 3,000; the Raven, 2,000; Mount Discovery, 2,000; Lake
Golden, 2,851; Lake Henderson, 1,936; Lake Sanford, 1,826; Preston Ponds,
1,700; village of the Upper Works, 1,889; Mountain Meadow, on side of
Mount Marcy, source of the Opalescent or northeast branch of the Hudson,
4,747 ; Indian Pass, 2,817 (from its base) ; Mount Marcy, 5,467.1
Among these mountains in certain sections are quite extensive valleys, their
surfaces at a high elevation, level, or gently undulating, and well adapted to
cultivation ; and along some of the streams are alluvial flats of great fertility.
The valley of North Elba (the Plains of Abraham), Keene valley and the val-
ley of the Boquet deserve this mention. Here civilized settlement has pene-
trated and made for itself peaceful and prosperous homes. Far up the slopes
of some of the mountains the soil is rich and excellent for grazing ; along the
shores of Lake Champlain is a tract, varying in width, which, for beauty of sur-
face and agricultural value can hardly be surpassed. ^
Water System and Drainage. — The southwest portion of the county is
largely drained by the Hudson river and its principal branch, the Schroon.
The Hudson rises in the Indian Pass, the stupendous gorge between Wallface
Mountain and Mount Mclntyre in North Elba, and flows nearly south across
the county. The Schroon rises in the Schroon mountains in North Hudson
and flows southward, uniting with the Hudson in Warren county. The main
stream of the Ausable's west branch (sometimes called the Notch stream) flows
1 These figures were given about fifteen years ago and may have been, or will be, perhaps, modified
to a limited extent.
2 The topography of the towns is given more in detail in the subsequent town histories.
22 History of Essex County.
from the northeast portal of the Indian Pass, the springs that feed it and those
that form the rise of the Hudson being so close together " that the wild cat
lapping the water of the one may bathe his rear feet in the other, and the rock
rolling from the precipice could scatter spray from both in the same con-
cussion." ^ In times of high water the- sources of these two rivers actually
mingle with each other. The Hudson flows from the Pass into Lakes Hen-
derson and Sanford, in the town of Newcomb, as the Adirondack river. It
receives the Boreas river in the town of Minerva, which flows southwest across
a part of the town of North Hudson and the northeast corner of Minerva. It
receives several branches from the west in the towns of Newcomb and Minerva.
We have mentioned the west branch of the Ausable and its source in the
Indian Pass. This branch of the beautiful river flows northeast across the towns
of North Elba and Wilmington, uniting with the south branch on the north
line of the county between Jay and Wilmington. The south branch of the
.Ausable has its source in the Ausable ponds, amid the mountain fastnesses in
the southern part of Keene, flows north across that town, and then northeast-
erly, forming the boundary between the towns of Wilmington and Jay. From'
the confluence of the two branches the Ausable forms the northern boundary
of the county from Ausable Forks to near Lake Champlain, into which it
empties.
The Boquet river also rises among the mountains in the extreme southern
part of Keene and northern part of North Hudson and flows in a general north-
easterly direction across the towns of Elizabethtown, the corner of Lewis, Essex
and Willsboro. The Saranac river flows northeast across the extreme north-
west corner of the county, in the town of St. Armand.
Besides these principal streams there are numerous smaller ones in the
county, among which may be mentioned Trout brook (Schroon and Ticon-
deroga), Putnam's creek (Crown Point), Mill brook and " Ti " creek. Black
creek (Elizabethtown), Chub run (North Elba), and an innumerable number
of still less important streams, some with names and some without, most of
which will be more definitely described in the subsequent histories of the towns.
This elaborate and wonderful system of streams intertwines and unites a
net- work of lakes and ponds, which is still more wonderful. They lie generally
in long and narrow clefts of the hypersthene rock and range from a few acres
in extent to twenty miles. Among the lake expanses are (besides the portions
of Lakes George and Champlain) half of Schroon lake, Placid, in North Elba;
Henderson, Sanford, Rich, Golden and Newcomb, in Newcomb ; Avalanche,
in North Elba ; Paradox and Pharaoh, in Schroon ; Moose, Delia, Harris, and
others. In addition to these are nearly one hundred ponds, many of them
larger than some of the lakes already named, of which the following are the
more important : McKenzie's, three Preston ponds, two Ausable ponds. Moose,
1 Street's Indian Pass.
Natural Characteristics. 23
Bennett's, two Long ponds, two Edmonds, Rattlesnake, Auger, Butternut, Cop-
peras, Owen's, Oliver's, Round, Whortleberry, Crane, Lizard, Put's, Crookneck,
Pyramid, Johnson's, Bartlett, Ensign's, Crowfoot, Bullpout, Bhck, Spring,
Two-Story, Buck Mountain, Willis, Hewitt, Boreas, Zack, Goodenow, Otter,
Frank, Bad Luck, Split Rock, Bigsby, Hayes, Wolf, Sand, Elk, Latham, Clear,
Chapel, Pine, and numerous others which scarcely own distinctive names.
The waters of this labyrinth of streams, lakes and ponds arises chiefly from
cold, pure springs, and they add greatly to the natural beauty and picturesque-
ness of scenery that is unsurpassed. Steep, wooded mountains chmb high from
their sides, their shadows coloring the placid surfaces of lakes and ponds, and
apparently going down to unknown depths ; sharp precipices tower beside the
still waters ; fairy bays and quiet nooks indent their shores ; babbling brooks
are everywhere making their unceasing music, and all seems fresh from the
omnipotent hand of the Creator.
The lakes and streams of the county abound in many parts with delicious
fish, and the whole region is the sportsman's paradise. Deer roam the forest
and the woods often resound with the rifle's sharp crack. But all this wilder-
ness is becoming more and more the haunt of men and the inroads of industry
are penetrating it. Streams which, in the early days of settlement, turned the
wheels of mills.^ will now scarcely furnish a drink to the thirsty hunter.
Geology and Mineralogy. — The geology of this county is a subject of the
deepest interest, particularly to those who are versed in that science ; to the
large class who are not, it may , not be impertinent to state that beneath the
surface accumulations of various kinds of soil the earth is divided into rocky
strata of widely different natures, to which various names have been given by
scientists. These strata are usually more or less inclined upward, overlapping
each other as would the clapboards of a house if it lay upon the ground ; and,
as the geologists express it, they " crop out " at the surface. It is the office
of geology to treat of these earth formations, their cause and history.^
The geological formation of the county opens a field unequaled in the State.
Here is the exclusive home of the hypersthene rock, or rather the mass com-
posed of labrador, feldspar and hypersthene, mostly of the former, but bear-
ing the specific name of the latter. This primary gray, iron-bearing rock ex-
tends in a triangular shape through the county, forming the basis rock and a
1 " In the progress of my survey I have observed, in repeated instances, the ruins of mills and
dams, which, in the early occupation of the county, had ample water-power, not a vestige of which
now remains, but a deep and worn ravine that once formed its channel. As the progress of agricul-
tural and manufacturing improvements — before which forests are leveled, the country opened, and the
earth exposed to the influence of the sun and atmosphere — advances, springs and streams will be dried
up, and it will become imperatively necessary to adopt artificial means to control and preserve the water-
power of this county." — Watson's Essex County.
2 This county is embraced in the second geological district of the State, and, therefore, came under
the survey of Professor Ebenezer Emmons, from whose elaborate report and from Alfred B. Street's
condensation therefrom much of the following geologic data is derived.
24 History of Essex County.
large proportion of" the surface (and in some the whole surface) of eleven towns,
namely, Schroon, Moriah, Keene, Elizabethtown, Westport, Chesterfield, Wil-
mington, Lewis, Jay, Willsborough and Newcomb. Its northern limit is formed
by Trembleau Point on Lake Champlain, in the neighborhood of Port Kent ;
thence its eastern line runs a little west of south through the western portion
of the town of Essex, and midway between Westport and Elizabethtown,
through Moriah and the west corner of Schroon ; running on through the town
of Minerva, the northeast corner of the adjoining county of Hamilton and south-
east corner of Franklin county and re-entering Essex, it passes northeast through
the town of Wilmington, returning east to Trembleau Point.
This rock, in its jointed and wedge-shaped blocks, has been uplifted (broken
from a far larger mass underneath the earth) by the grand forces of nature,
into the sharp cones and saw-like ridges of the Adirondack group trenching
on the limits of eternal frost. It is traversed in a general east and west course
by trap dikes, and although in popular belief it is volcanic, no traces of a crater,
nor any distinct volcanic signs (except in these dikes) are found in the group.
Among its minerals are the opalescent feldspar, garnet, mica, and (very gen-
erally diffused) magnetic oxide of iron.
These trap dikes seam the county in every direction, from half an ;nch to
eighty feet in width ; the compound mass, formed of hornblende, pyroxene,
feldspar, or sienite (hornblende and feldspar), or pyroxene and feldspar, which
composes them, being an injection into the natural fissures of the primary
rocks. Although frequent in all parts of the county, these dikes are more
numerous at Port Henry, Split Rock and Trembleau Point, opened as they
sometimes are by the wedge of the frost or otherwise. They tell of the lurk-
ing iron, the dull lead, the flashing blood-red mica, the brown tourmalin, the
gray zircon, the rosy spinelle, the green hornblende, the flesh- hued feldspar, the
shining rich green coccolite, the golden jasper, the red of the garnet, and pur-
ple of the amethyst.
The deep chasm cloven by a stream within the terrific mural front of Mount
Colden, arching toward Avalanche lake, shows the finest known specimen of
this stony-veined mass, distinguished as the great trap dike. On the opposite
flank of Mount Mclntyre are seen the parallel 'fissures, from the base to the
summit, of another dike ; but wanting the cleavage of water, it has not been
laid open.
The other primaries of Essex are granite, limestone, and serpentine of the
unstratified, gneiss and hornblende of the stratified, and porphyry and mag-
netic oxide of iron of the subordinate rock.
Granite, .the oldest and deepest of all the rocks, is found in the county only
in limited patches, and insulated beds. It is seen in the town of Minerva, in
several cliffs in the south part of Elizabethtown, and in a high cliff resting' on
primary limestone in Chesterfield. While gneiss forms somV of the loftiest
Natural Characteristics. 25
ranges, granite is found but in moderate ascents. It is metalliferous but in a
small degree, containing sulphate of copper with sulphuret of iron in limited
quantities. It also contains crystals of feldspar, pyroxene, scapolite, and green
and red tourmalin.
Limestone is an important rock in the western portion of Essex. It enters
the county from Warren county into the town of Ticonderoga ; but its most
important belt, mingled with serpentine in the larger masses, is traced in
Schroon, although not in a continuous form (in fact none of the belts are per-
fectly continuous), along Paradox lake, northeasterly and about eighty rods
wide, through to Port Henry on Lake Champlain. Insulated beds of this igne-
ous rock occur at Newcomb Lake (in an impure state, however, being a mix-
ture of coccolite and quartz), and dissociated from serpentine, largely near Mo-
riah Corners. At Edmond's ponds the primitive limestone has been bared
by a slide on the Keene Summit on the southwest side of the ponds. It lies
in the upper part of the slide in a vein from twenty to forty feet in width. In
Chesterfield,, near the village of Clintonville, the primary limestone is found
associated with granite.
The limestone contains pyroxene in crystals, feldspar, rose-quartz, asbestos,
the red mica, calcareous spar, zircon, graphite, yellow chondrodite, yellow,
brown, and green tourmalin, pink spinelle, hornblende, and scapolite.
Serpentine is found in the towns of Lewis and Moriah. It is frequently as-
sociated with the primitive limestone and specular oxide of iron. When not
blended, it is found in large irregular masses divided into angular blocks ; not
in veins or dikes, neither following a range nor composed in layers. When it
accompanies the limestone it is translucent and compact, and shaly when found
with the oxide of iron.
It is a beautiful rock, finely mottled and striped, and most commonly of a
green color, although occasionally red, brown, or yellow, and veined with va-
riegated hues. It contains galena and asbestos, the latter largely.
Hornblende and gneiss form (with the exception of the primary limestone
and transition rocks) the whole southeastern and a large portion of the east
part of the county.
This compound rock runs in easterly rangesup from Warren county at the
south, the first of which ranges sparkles in Bulwagga Mountain (which it en-
tirely forms), on the line between the towns of Crown Point and Moriah. The
next range terminates in a precipice of sixty feet at Lake Champlain, a little
below Port Henry. The third, a belt nine miles wide, after forming Bald Peak,
near Lake Champlain, terminates in its northeastern course at the lake in high
steep rocks, the main or middle branch of the range ending at Split Rock.
A line drawn near Willsborough falls through the towns of Westport and
Moriah to Minerva ; then southwest to the foot of Long lake in Hamilton
county ; then, in Essex again, northeast through St. Armand to Clinton county.
26 History of Essex County.
would define the locality of gneiss in Essex ; all outside the line being that
rock ; inside hypersthene.
It contains in its dissociate state but few interesting minerals. Still tour-
malin, garnet, zircon, brown peroxid'=> of iron, graphite, sulphuret of iron,
quartz, epidote, and pyroxene are found.
Gneiss and primary limestone are found along the eastern border of the hy-
persthene in Ticonderoga, and east part of Schroon, Moriah, and Westport,
and west portion of the town of Essex, skirting also the west and northwest
flanks of the hypersthene, and occurring largely near Newcomb lake.
Porphyry is not frequent in Essex county. Cannon's Point, a mile or two
below the village of Essex, furnishes the best specimen of this volcanic rock.
It is found between layers of slate; and it is seen rearing its low columnated
cliffs along the lake shore in the neighborhood of the village ; in the fields, in
low cliffs, and in a bluff 200 feet in height, at a locality called Rattlesnake Den.
Toward Split Rock the lake shore is strewed with fragments of this rock. It
is spread over the surface, not like the other volcanic matter, trap, disposed in
veins ; and it is sprinkled with crystals of red feldspar, of which substance it
is formed.
The magnetic oxide of iron is diffused throughout the county. In the town
of Newcomb it occurs in a far greater degree than all the rest, particularly at
and around Lakes Henderson and Sanford. The ores found here are all mag-
netic in character ; are black in the mass, and are generally mixtures of the
protoxide and peroxide, one atom of the former to two of the latter. They
are known to some extent by the names of the localities where found. The
Sanford ore is found on the west flank of a mountain of 700 feet, sloping
gradually to the east border of the lake of that name, and two miles from what
is known as the " Upper Works " (see history of the town of Newcomb.) The
length of the Sanford vein is between two and three miles. This immediate
locality is probably unsurpassed in its iron deposits, and numerous beds exist
within an area of three miles. A vein of what is called the coarse-grained
black ore lies near to and even beneath the old settlement of the Upper Works ;
it is computed to extend more than 3,000 feet, with a width of between 700
and 800 feet. Another vein, called the fine-grained ore, lies about eighty rods
east of the site of the works, on a ridge. It extends northwest more than half
a mile from the works, with a breadth of over 150 feet. On the west border
of Lake Henderson, nearly a mile from the village, is another vein of the fine-
grained ore ; another on the west bank of Lake Sanford, and still another on the
east side of Sanford Mountain. On the East river it is seen in large masses of
pure ore, and on the west "side of Lake Sanford, about three miles southwest
from the Upper Works, is an extensive mass known as the Cheney ore bed. The
foreign minerals in the Sanford vein are labradorite, hypersthene, common
feldspar and the crystalline green variety and hornblende. All of this iron de-
posit described thus far is in the town of Newcomb.
Natural Characteristics. 27
The town of Minerva also gives evidence of great mineral wealth, and the
deposit has been worked. In the town of Schroon are the Schofield and the
Skiff beds, both of which have been energetically worked. Two beds have been
worked in Crown Point near the Schroon line. What is known as the Moriah
iron district is scarcely second to that of the Adirondacks, and about a score
of beds and mines have been opened and extensively worked. This district
continues into Elizabethtown and Westport, where some fifteen beds have been
opened. Most of these ores produce the best of iron and steel. ^
The unaltered sedimentary rocks of the county occupy but an extremely
narrow belt along Lake Champlain. The Potsdam sandstone, the lowest of these
rocks, is found principally at Keeseville, where it is cloven into the wonderful
Ausable chasms. The southern limit of the rock in mass is in the town of
Willsborough ; but it is seen at Ticonderoga, at the falls of the outlet to Lake
George ; at Mount Defiance, and shows itself along the shore towards Crown
Point ; it is seen near Bulwagga Mountain, in a belt a mile wide ; at Cedar
Point, at Port Henry and at Westport.
The Chazy limestope is found near the village of Westport and in the neigh-
borhood of the village of Essex, here in the form of a bluff nearly 200 feet
above the lake.
The Trenton limestone is found at the village of Essex, filled with fossils,
and also about two miles farther south.
The Utica slate appears at Split Rock and also a mile along the lake shore in
contact with the Chazy limestone, at which points it is traversed with trap dikes
and veins of calcareous spar. It is again seen a little north of Essex, its low
banks with the upper surface only exposed, traversing the shore to Peru Bay.
It is confined to Essex and a few miles of the lake shore north, and in it no
important minerals are found.
The tertiary of Essex lines in insulated beds the shore of Lake Champlain
throughout the entire length of the county.
A list of the minerals found in the county embraces labradorite, magnetic
oxide of iron, quartz, pyroxene, feldspar, hornblende, serpentine with carbon-
ate of lime, graphite, asbestos, scapolite, mica, garnet, tabular spar, chondrodite,
spinelle, tourmalin, zircon, idocrase, sphene, phosphate of lime, sulphuret of
iron, copper, silver, porcelain clay and soap-stone. Those that have been
profitably developed are iron, graphite (see history of Ticonderoga), feldspar
to a limited extent, while the hypersthene, sandstone and limestone rocks are
quarried to a considerable extent, as we shall note in the town histories.
Forests. — The original forests of the county were largely constituted of
pine, hemlock and spruce, which grew to an unusual size, and furnished the
early settlers with a resource for profit that was of great benefit. Even at the
1 Full descriptions of the various beds and mines in the county will be found in the^subsequent town
histories, to the industries of which they more properly belong.
28 History of Essex County.
. I
present day, as will 'hereafter appear, the lumber interest is by no means an
insignificant one. Many of the streams have been cleared of obstructions,
chiefly at the expense of the State, for the more advantageous transportation
of logs down their currents.
Among the hard woods that are natives of the county are the maple, beech,
birch, elm, oak, hickory and butternut. The white oak was in early years ex-
ported in large quantities to Canada, and is now shipped to some extent south-
ward. Red and white cedar formerly abounded, but the former is nearly ex-
terminated.
Much of the woodland in the county has been cleared for lumber and man-
ufacturing purposes, particularly near the iron beds. As the wood has become
somewhat scarce in the later years, coal is gradually taking its place in many
industries. Where pine and other soft wood forests have been felled, a second
growth, almost entirely of hard woods, quickly springs up in its place and soon
furnishes a growth that may be profitably cut.
Flora. — The flora of the county is, perhaps, richer than that of any other
State. In reference to this subject Mr. Street says in the introduction to his
work on the Indian Pass: Among the most beautiful of the flowering plants
may be mentioned the species of clematis, virgin bower, one of which climbing
on trees and shrubs mingles its clusters of large purple flowers with the green
foliage of the supporting branches. In the valleys and about the lakes and
ponds, many species of the orchis family find a home. Of these curious plants
some of the finest are the arethusa bulbosa (bulbous arethusa) ; the pogonia
ophioglossoides ; the calapogon or grass pink, and the orchis spectabilis.
Seven or eight species of viola are found, and plants and shrubs of the rose
tribe abound. On the summits of the highest mountains are many rare plants,
some of them found elsewhere only in extreme northern latitudes. The aren-
aria greenlandica (Greenland sandroot) and potentilla tridentata (white cinque-
foil) are only- found on the loftiest peaks of these mountains, or of the White
mountains, while the golden- rod of Whiteface and Mount Marcy is found on
no other mountains in the State.
There are two beautiful specimens of kalmia, or laurel, found in the marshes ;
also two exquisite species of azalea, a pink and a whi'te, seen in marshes and
on shady hillsides ; and in the meadows a very beautiful species of iris ochro-
leuca (yellow iris), a large splendid yellow flower growing in the town of Lewis.
Animals and Fish. — The animals that have been found in the county em-
brace the moose, bear, deer, fox, beaver, muskrat, mink, martin and lynx.
The moose has now, doubtless, disappeared from this region ; it is a number
of years since one has been killed ; but it is not very many years ago that they
were numerous and hunting them formed the most exciting sport for the in-
habitants. The deer is still numerous in the depths of the forests of portions
of the county, and large numbers of them are slain every year. The salutary
Natural Characteristics. 29
game laws are gradually becoming more and more a power for the preserva-
tion of this beautiful and desirable animal. The small black bear is still met
with in considerable numbers in some parts of the wilderness, and the wolf is
occasionally killed. During the early settlements their depredations were a
sore tax upon the limited stock pens of the pioneers.
The beaver was very plentiful here in early days; but it is believed they are
entirely exterminated. Numerous remains df their wonderful works exist in
different parts of the county, where they erected their dams, which caused the
overflow of large sections, destroying all vegetation. These flats subsequently
became overgrown with natural grasses which were of great utility to early
settlers.
The smaller and fur-bearing animals mentioned were formerly numerous
and of considerable value to the settlers ; but, while they are still found, their
numbers are greatly diminished.
Fish have always been abundant in the waters of the county and are so still.
Lake Champlain is stocked with nearly all the common varieties that are found
in fresh waters. Besides, if we may believe the account of the intrepid Cham-
plain, who gave the lake its name, he found in its depths scaly monsters of
hideous mien. He says: "Among the rest there is one called by the Indians,
chaousarou, of divers length. The largest, I was informed by the people, are
of eight and ten feet, I saw one of five feet, as thick as a thigh, with a head as
big as two fists, with jaws two and a half feet long, and a double set of very
long and dangerous teeth. The form of the body resembles that of the pike
and is armed with scales, that the thrust of a poniard cannot pierce, and is of
a silver gray color." Perhaps it is as well for our credulity that Champlain made
the poor Indians responsible for the biggest of these fish. The quotation is an
excellent description of the bill fish, or dog fish, which is quite numerous in Lake
Ontario, and, according to Mr. Watson, still exists in Lake Champlain, but
rarely taken. The muskalonge is found in the lake and attains great size.
The lake shad is taken in considerable numbers in the lower portions of the
lake, by the use of seines ; it rarely takes a spoon or bait. The pickerel
abounds in the lake and'is taken in great numbers and in almost all ways; but
its quality in these waters is not the finest. Two species of sturgeon have been
occasionally taken in the lake ; but it is not a desirable food fish. The yellow
perch is very abundant and is highly esteemed. The smelt is a comparatively
new comer in the lake and is much prized. Bull-heads and eels abound also,
and a few other unimportant varieties.
In the clear streams of the interior and western part of the county and in
many of the lakes the speckled trout, the king of table fish, is found in reason-
able abundance, a fact that adds to what has already been said to convince the
sportsman that here is a spot where he can enjoy his tastes to the utmost.
What is known as the lake trout is found in many of the interior lakes and is
30 History of Essex County.
second only to the speckled trout in dainty flavor. Specimens of this fish have
been caught weighing fifty pounds, while those of about ten pounds are not
uncommon. Few other varieties offish are found in these interior waters.
Natural Ctiriosities. — This chapter may be appropriately closed with a
brief reference to some of the more prominent natural curiosities for which this
county is noted. Chief among these and one of the most remarkable natural
wonders in the country is the Indian Pass. This great gorge, a stupendous
evidence of some mighty upheaval of ages ago, was felicitously named by the
Iridians, " Otneyarh," the stony giants. On one side of this wonderful pass
Mount Mclntyre rises by a steep acclivity at an angle of about forty-five de-
grees, while on the other the naked and almost perpendicular rocky face of
Wallface, a " mighty bastion," towers to a height of from eight hundred to
twelve hundred feet, and is more than a mile in length. The base of this appall-
ing precipice is about two thousand feet above tide water. Mr. Street in his
entertaining work on this natural phenomenon gives this vivid description :
" Its 'shape is that of a half moon curving outwardly, a mighty bastion.
Directly from below up sprang the gray furrowed wall, with a debris of loose
rocks, looking like mere pebbles, piled five hundred feet at its base, and soar-
ing upward till it seemed it might catch the very clouds floating over it. The
grand sight took away the breath, like an ascent in a balloon. The eye grew
dizzy in struggling up, up, to master its height. It appeared almost like sur-
mounting the battlements of heaven, — as if the monster had been obliged to
break an opening through the sky to rear its horrible brow to its full altitude.
Let it be remembered, also, that the bottom of the gorge, the lair of the monster,
was lifted more than eighteen hundred feet above the sea level, and some idea
might be gained of the fearful and crushing height. Although this was the
loftiest point of the pass, yet far northward, with scarce less height, on waved
and surged the wall, cutting the blue with a sharp, jagged sky-line. It was a
magnificent spectacle, worthy the God whose finger had plowed it."
Although this is a highly figurative description and betrays the poetic side
of the author's character, it is, nevertheless, not entirely an extravagant picture.
The truth is, pen nor pencil can portray the sublime grandeur of this stupen-
dous wall, and the human mind is overwhelmed with awe in its presence. "So
exact and wonderful is the .stupendous masonry of this bulwark," says Mr.
Watson, " that it seems, could human nerve allow the effort, a stone dropped
from the summit might reach the base without striking an impediment."
Here' nature reigns, silent, gloomy and alone, in all her wild majesty. Here
starts the little rill that becomes in the course of its devious and long wander-
ings, the noble Hudson.
The Indian Pass is in the town of North Elba.
Wilmington Notch. — This is another curiosity of a similar general charac-
ter to the Indian Pass, to which it is only second in grandeur and impressive-
Natural Characteristics. 31
ness. This gorge is cut through the mountains at the foot of Whiteface,
which rises in an almost perpendicular ascent 2,000 feet above the bed of the
Ausable, which, crowded into a narrow flume, " bursts through the mountain
obstructions and thunders onward in its furious career." 1 Opposite Whiteface
another precipitous acclivity towers upward with almost equal sublimity. The
Ausable, having passed between the mountain precipices, tumbles headlong
into an abyss more than one hundred feet in depth. This stream is one long
succession of falls, rapids and cascades, through scenery of surpassing beauty,
and developing water power of marvelous proportions.
Ausable Chasm and the "Walled Banks." — After flowing quietly along
the valley past Keeseville, the Ausable passes through a remarkable channel
or chasm nearly a mile in length and varying in depth from sixty to one hun-
dred feet. The walls of this channel are solid rock and mostly nearly vertical.
This wonderful natural phenomenon is thus vividly pictured in Stoddard's
Adirondacks Illustrated : "This freak of nature is not alone of its kind, but
one of a system of rents in the earth's surface that probably extend' all over
the northern portion of the State, the most noticeable of the others being at
Chateaugay Falls ; on the Opalescent, and higher up on the east and west
branches of the Ausable. Neither are we to say how or when they were
formed ; the walls that now are from ten to fifty feet apart, were undoubtedly
some time united and solid ; projections on the one hand are often faced by
corresponding depressions on the other ; layers of rock on one side duplicated
on the other. Prof Emmons, State geologist, found here petrified specimens
of the lowest or first orders of animal life, and ripple marks made when the
rock was in its plastic state ; above these, in successive layers, towers seventy
feet of solid rock."
Lateral fissures extend into this chasm, tjirough which stairways have been
constructed for the accommodation of tourists ; the lands on either side, with
improvements made, are now in the control of a corporation.
Split Rock. — This natural monument is noticed by travelers passing down
Lake Champlain, in the town of Essex. It rises about thirty feet from the
water and is separated from the main promontory by a narrow fissure. Its
surface comprises half an acre of land. It was probably separated from the
promontory by the gradual action of the elements.
Rainbow Falls. — A beautiful cascade in Keene, on Rainbow brook about
a mile from the Ausable ponds. The fall is more than one hundred -feet clear
and vertical. It is in a wild and romantic locality, amid scenery that well re-
pays the visitor for his labor in reaching it.
The Hunter's Pass. — Between parallel precipices on Dix's Peak and Nipple-
Top, on the line between North Hudson and Keene, is a pass known by the
above name, which is in many respects the equal of Indian Pass. It is in the
depths of a wild and rugged region and, therefore, seldom visited.
1 Wallace's Descriptive Guide to the Adirondacks.
32 History of Essex County.
Mineral Springs. — A number of mineral springs have been found in the
county and a few of them have developed excellent qualities in the water.
These will be definitely described in the histories of the towns where they
exist.
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
Improbability of More than Temporary Occupation by Indians — Lake Champlain as a Highway for
Indian Canoes — Origin of the Name, " Adirondaclc '' — Legendary Indian Conquest in North Elba —
Traces of Occupation Anterior to the Indians — Claimants to Territory of Essex County at the Advent
of the Europeans — Tradition of the Origin of the Iroquois League — Its Peculiarities — Military Statutes
of the Confederacy — Personal and Social Habits and Characteristics — Missionary Labors.
FEW authentic traces of permanent Indian occupation of the territory of Essex
county, or, indeed, of any portion of the Great Wilderness of Northern New
York, have been discovered ; but that it was traversed to a considerable extent,
particularly for hunting and fishing, by the tribes of the Algonquin ^ nation who
inhabited the valley of the St. Lawrence and portions of Canada, and by the
eastern tribes of the Five Nations of the powerful Iroquois, a part of whose
extended domain now constitutes the State of New York, is a fact conclusively
established. That the more mountainous and rugged portions of the wilder-
ness immediately westward from Lake Champlain and constituting a part of
the present Essex county, was not made the site of Indian villages, is probably
due to the forbidding natural features of the region and the fact that it was
frontier territory to both the northern Indian nations and the Mohawks, the
eastern most tribe of the Iroquois Confederacy. ^
But along the eastern boundary of this mountainous and almost impassable
region extends a portion of the beautiful Champlain valley, which was formed
by the Almighty into an unsurpassed natural highway for the canoes of the
Indians through the waters of the long, narrow lake, reaching, with its smaller
sister above (Lake George), from the very doors of the "Long House " of the
iThename " Montagners," was applied to all the St. Lawrence Indians, and was derived from a
range of mountains extending northwesterly from near Quebec. — Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan's Note on
Champlain.
2 That the Adirondack (or Algonquin) nation, and after them the Iroquois, traversed if they did
not inhabit the region, does not admit of a doubt. Tradition asserts that the partisan Rogers, so
famous for his exploits at Lake George, destroyed in the absence of the warriors an Indian village on
the '■ Plains of Abraham" in thepresent town of North Elba. He was pursued and overtaken by the
warriors of the tribe at the Boquet river, just below Elizabethtown, where a battle took place.—
Street's Indian Pass.
Indian Occupation. 33
conquering Iroquois to the territory of their enemies, the Adirondacks,i and
other tribes of the north and west. Who will doubt that this beautiful high-
way was often in pre-historic times, as it was in later days, cut by the fugitive
furrows that followed fleets of bark canoes, bearing victors or vanquished from
bloody encounters, or parties of triumphant hunters laden with the spoils of a
wonderful hunting-ground?
Upon this feature of our subject Mr. Watson says in his excellent work on
Essex County : " The long and narrow tract of water known to us as Lake
Champlain was doubtless the war-path of the Huron and Iroquois in their
mutual hostile and sanguinary incursions. The mind may readily portray
fleets of the Indian war-canoes, caparisoned in the gorgeous trappings of bar-
baric pomp, bounding over the dark and still 'waters of the lake, while the
paddles kept tune to the cadence of their war- songs; or gliding stealthily
along the silent shores, upon their mission of rapine and blood."
The lake was named' by the Indians in their beautifully appropriate nomen-
clature, and doubtless with reference to its location and use, " Caniadere
Guarante," or, " The Lake that is the Gate of the Country. "^
In support of the tradition, which is quite obscure, of the conflict between
Rogers and the Indians on the " Plains of Abraham," which has been men-
tioned, is the finding of numerous relics at the scene of the traditionary battle.
These relics embrace remains of war weapons of both Europeans and Indians.
Other vestiges of Indian occupation exist in the town of North Elba, indicat-
ing that at some former period large numbers of Indians congregated there, at
least temporarily. Traces of Indian occupancy, in the form of rusty knives,
hatchets, arrow-heads, pottery, etc., have been found in other localities ; but
these traces are very slight, except at North Elba, as noted, and around the
Saranac lakes. Although without the present boundaries of Essex county, it
is proper to state that here indubitable evidences of Indian occupation, even
down to a comparatively recent date, have been found.
Alfred B. Street, who made considerable research in this direction, is au-
thority for the statement that more than a hundred years ago a large tribe of
the Saranac Indians inhabited the forests through which runs the Indian Car-
rying-Place (the celebrated Indian Carry, between the foot of the Upper Sar-
anac lake and Stony Creek ponds, Franklin county), an old path named by
iThis Indian name is derived from the Iroquois words " Ga-ron-dah " (trees) and " Ha-des" (they
eat). Hence the word " Ha-de-ron-dack" (wood or tree-eaters). It was changed by the French,
who dropped the " H " and pronounced the substituted " I " like the English " E." An Indian tra-
dition says that many years ago a nation attacked the Iroquois, who drove them north around Sarato-
ga and Lake Champlain, where they sued for peace; this was granted by the victors, whotaunted them
by saying they had become so powerless that they could no longer kill game in the forests, but would
be forced to " eat trees."
^Documentary History. " Petaoubough," — signifyinga double pond or lake branching out into two
— is another Indian appellation, referring, probably, to its connection with Lake George. — R. W. Liv-
ingston.
3
24 History of Essex County.
them " the Eagle-nest Trail of the Saranacs." The site of the clearing held
their village and council-place. They claimed as their exclusive hunting-
grounds not only the Eagle-nest forests, but those of the Wampum Waters
(the Stony Creek ponds), the Stream of the Snake (Stony Creek) and the
Sounding River (the Raquette), from the lake of the Blue Mountain to
Wild Mountain at the Leap of the Foaming Panther (Perciefield Falls).
In other portions of the northern wilderness, but without the boundaries of
Essex county, still more definite traces of Indian occupation have been dis-
covered. Many of these traces also strongly indicate the presence of a people long
anterior to the Indians and possessed of far more skill in the rude arts. It is
not our purpose to enter at all into the fruitless argument to prove or disprove
the theoryof the occupation of this continent by an earlierand more inteUigent
race than the Indians ; but many indications render such a theory plausible, or
else show that the Indians themselves had retrograded previous to the coming
of Europeans, as they have since. " Nothing is more, common than to find
along the lands that skirt the fertile bottoms which form the shores of the trib-
utaries of the St. Lawrence, the broken remains of rude pottery, seldom suf-
ficiently entire to enable one to determine the original form, and usually im-
pressed, while in a plastic state, with various fanciful figures, differing from
each other in fragments of different utensils, but possessing a general resem-
blance. Not unfrequently a rude resemblance to the human face is noticed on
these fragments. The material of this terra cotta is usually clay and coarse
sand, generally well tempered and baked. Stone axes, gouges and chisels,
flint arrow-heads, amulets and beads of steatite, and other personal ornaments,
implements of bone, apparently used as needles and as tools for marking im-
pressions upon their pottery, and fragments of bones and broken shells, the
remains of ancient feasts, indicate in broken and disconnected, but still intelli-'
gible language, the pursuits of our predecessors upon this soil"!
Many of these relics are now in possession of persons living in the north-
eastern counties of the State, and some of them show the workmanship of
master hands and are equal in form and detail to the steel implements of mod-
ern days. Traces of mounds and trench inclosures have also been found, par-
ticularly in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, all telling in mute language of
a race that has passed away forever.
To conclude a necessarily brief and imperfect consideration of the subject'
of Indian occupation of Essex county, it may be stated that at the time of the
advent of Europeans to this region, this territory "and the surrounding vicinity
was at least nominally claimed by the Mohawks, the eastern branch of the Iro-
quois Five Nations, while at the same time it was a part of the frontier of that
great confederacy, as it was also of the northern and northwestern tribes.^
1 Hough's History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties — 1853.
2The Algonquirs were a large family occupying (at the advent of the Europeans) all Canada, New-
England, a part of New York and Pennsylvania; all New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia;
Indian Occupation. 35
The Iroquois'- Indians who, we have presumed, were the nominal posses-
sors of the territory treated in these pages, comprised originally five related
tribes or clans, mostly within the present State of New York ; they were called
Mphawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, and were located across
the State from east to west in the order just named. Indian tradition ascribes
their origin to Hiawatha, the incarnation of wisdom, about the beginning of
the fifteenth century. He came from his celestial home to dwell with the On-
ondagas, where he taught the related tribes all that was desirable to promote
their welfare. Under his immediate tutelage the Onondagas became the wisest
counselors, the bravest warriors and the most successful hunters. While Hia-
watha was thus quietly living, the tribes were attacked by a powerful enemy
from the north, who laid waste their villages and slaughtered men, women
and children indiscriminately ; utter destruction seemed inevitable. In this
extremity they turned to Hiawatha who, after thoughtful contemplation, ad-
i vised a grand council of all that could be gathered of the tribes, saying, " our
safety is not alone in the club and dart, but in wise counsels."-
The council was held on Onondaga lake and the fires burned for three days,
awaiting the presence of Hiawatha. He was troubled with forebodings of ill-
fortune and had resolved to not attend the council ; but in response to the im-
portunities of messengers, he set out with his beautiful daughter. Approach-
ing the council he was welcomed by all, who then turned their eyes upward to
behold a volume of cloudy darkness descending among them. All fled except
Hiawatha and his daughter, who calmly awaited the impending calamity. Sud-
denly and with a mighty swoop a huge bird, with long and distended wings de-
scended upon the beautiful maiden and crushed her to death, itself perishing
with the collision. For three days and nights Hiawatha gave himself up to ex-
hibitions of the most poignant grief At the end of that period he regained
his wonted demeanor and took his seat in the council which, after some delibe-
ration, adjourned for one day. On the. following day Hiawatha addressed the
council, giving to each of the five nations their location and degree of impor-
tance, as we have already noted. The advice of the venerable sage was delibe-
rated upon until the next day, when the celebrated league of the Iroquois was
formed and its details perfected.
Whether or not there is any foundation in fact for this traditionary source
eastern North Carolina above Cape Fear, a large part of Kentucky and Tennessee, and all north and
west of those States east of the Mississippi. They were the most powerful of the eight distinct Indian
Nations in possession of the country when discovered by the whites. Within the folds of this nation
were the Huron-Iroquois, occupying a greater portion of Canada south of the Ottawa river and the
region between Lake Ontario and Lakes Erie and Huron, nearly all of the State of New York and a
part of Pennsylvania and Ohio, along the southern shores of Lake Erie. — LossiNG.
iThe name "Iroquois " was given these Indians by the French, who prefixed the name " Huron,"
because their language indicated the Hurons, who were seated on the shores of Georgian Bay, to be a
part of the Iroquois family, and, like them, were isolated in the midst of the Algonquins when discov-
ered by the French. — Lossing.
2 RUTTENBAR.
36
History of Essex County.
of the confederacy, it grew into one of the most remarkable and powerful com-
binations known to history, a marvel to civilized nations and stamping
the genius that gave it birth as of the highest order.
The tradition further relates that Hiawatha now considered his mission on
earth as ended and delivered to his brothers a farewell address, which concluded
as follows : " Lastly, 1 have now assisted you to form an everlasting league
and covenant of strength and friendship for your future safety and protection.
If you preserve it, without the admission of other people, you will always be
free, numerous and mighty. If other nations are admitted to your councils
they will sow jealousies among you and you will become enslaved, few and
feeble. Remember these words, they are the last you will hear from the lips
of Hiawatha. Listen, my friends, the great master of breath calls me to go.
I have patiently waited his summons. I am ready; farewell."
As his voice ceased the air was musical with sweet sounds and wHile they
listened to the melody, Hiawatha was seen seated in his white canoe, rising in
mid air till the clouds shut out the sight, and the melody, gradually becoming
fainter, finally ceased.^
Previous to the formation of the Iroquois confederacy each of the five na-
tions composing it was divided into five tribes. When the union was estab-
lished, each tribe transferred one-fifth of its numbers to every other nation, thus
giving each nation their several tribes, named as follows ; tortoise, wolf, bear,
beaver, deer, potatoe, snipe, heron. The snipe and heron correspond with the
Httle plover, and the hawk with the eagle of the early French writers. Some
authors of repute omit the name of the Potatoe tribe altogether. These tribes
were formed into two divisions, the second subordinate to the first, which was
composed of the four first named. Each tribe constituted what may be called
a family and its members, who were all considered brothers and sisters, were
also brothers and sisters of the members of all the other tribes having the same
device. It will be seen that an indissoluble bond was thus formed by the ties
of consanguinity, which was still further strengthened by the marriage relation.
It was held to be an abomination for two persons of the same tribe to inter-
marry ; every individual family must therefore contain members from at least
two tribes. The child belonged to the tribe, or clan, of the mother, not the
father, and all rank, titles and possessions passed through the female line. The
chief was almost invariably succeeded by a near relative, and always on the
female side ; but if these were unfit, then a council of the tribe chose a successor
' Both reason and tradition point to tlie conclusion tliat the Iroquois originally formed one undi-
vided people. Sundered, like countless other tribes, by dissension, caprice, or the necessities of a hunt-
er's life, they separated into five distinct nations. — Parkma\'s Jesuits.
By the early French writers, the Mohawks ard Oneidas were styled the lower or inferior Iro-
quois ; while the Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas were denominated the upper or superior Iroquois,
because they were located near the sources of the St. Lawrence. * * ' To the Mohawks was al-
ways accorded the high consideration of furnishing the war captain, or "Tekarahogea," of the confed-
eracy, which distinguished title was retained with them until the year 1814. — Clark's Onondaga.
Indian Occupation. 37
from among remoter kindred, in which case he was nominated by the matron
of the late chiefs household. The choice was never made adverse to popular
will. Chiefs and sachems held their offices only through courteous, winning
behavior and their general good qualities and conduct. There was another coun-
cil of a popular character, in which any one took part whose age and experi-
ence qualified him to do so ; it was merely the gathered wisdom of the nation.
The young warriors also had their councils ; so, too, did the women. All the
government of this " remarkable example of an almost pure democracy in gov-
ernment "^ was exercised through councils, which were represented by depu-
ties in the councils of the sachems. In this peculiar blending of individual, tribal,
national and federal interests lay the secret of that immense power which for
more thari a century resisted the hostile efforts of the French ; which caused
them for nearly a century to be alike courted and feared by the contending
French and English colonies, and enabled them to exterminate or subdue their
neighboring Indian nations, until they were substantially dictators of the con-
tinent,2 gaining them the title of "The Romans of the New World."
The military dominated the civil power in the league, and the army, which
was supplied by volunteers, was always full. Every able-bodied man was sub-
ject to military duty, to shirk which was an everlasting cause of disgrace. The
warriors called councils when they saw fit and approved or disapproved of pub-
lic measures. But their knowledge of what is now considered military science,
while vastly better than that of many of their neighbors, was insignificant when
viewed from a modern civilized standpoint. They seldom took advantage of
their great numbers and acted in concert as a great confederacy, but usually
carried on their warfare in detached tribes or parties. Their bravery, however,
and their strategy in their peculiar methods of fighting, are unquestioned. In
the forest they were a terrible foe, while in an open country they could not suc-
cessfully contend with European disciplined soldiery ; but they made up for this,
to a large extent, by their self-confidence, vindictiveness and overwhelming
desire for ascendency and triumph. There is considerable difference in the
writings of authors as to the true military status of the Iroquois.^
While the Iroquois Indians were superior in mental capacity and less im-
provident than the Algonquins and other nations, there is little indication that
they were ever inclined to improve the conditions in which they were found
by the Europeans. They were closely attached to their warrior and hunter
1 LOSSING.
2 The Iroquois league or confederacy was given an Indian name signifying " They form a cabin,"
which was fancifully changed to "The long house," the eastern door of which was kept by the Mo-
hawks, and the western by the Senee^s, with the great council fire in the center, with the Onondagas.
' They reduced war to a science, and all their movements were directed by system and policy.
They never attacked a hostile country till they had sent out spies to explore and designate its vulnerable
points, and when they encamped they observed the greatest circumspection to guard against surprise.
Whatever superiority of force they might have, they never neglected the use of stratagem, employing
all the crafty wiles of the Carthaginians. — De Witt Clinton.
38
History of Essex County.
life ; hospitable to friends, but ferocious and cruel to their enemies ; of no mean
mental capacity, but devoting their energies to the lower, if not the lowest,
forms of enjoyment and animal gratification ; they had little regard for the
marriage tie, and lasciviousness and unchastity were the rule ; their dwellings,
even among the more stationary tribes, were rude, their food gross and poor,
and their domestic habits and surroundings unclean and barbaric ; their dress
was ordinarily of skins of animals, until the advent of the whites, and was
primiti^^e in character; woman was degraded into a mere beast of burden;
while they believed in a supreme being, they were powerfully swayed by
superstition, incantations by " medicine men," dreams and the hke ; their feasts
were exhibitions of debauchery and gluttony.
Such are some of the more prominent characteristics of the race encoun-
tered by Samuel Champlain when he floated up the beautiful lake that borders
Essex county, two hundred and seventy-five years ago, and welcomed them
with the first volley of bullets from deadly weapons — a policy that has been
followed with faithful pertinacity by his civilized successors. These Indians
possessed redeeming features of character and practice ; but these were so
strongly dominated by their barbaric way of living and their savage traits, that
years of faithful missionary labor among them by the Jesuits and others was
productive of little good.^
The society of Jesus, or Jesuits, was founded in 1539 and planted the cross
amid the most discouraging circumstances,' overcoming almost insurmountable
obstacles, in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. When Champlain opened
the way for French dominion in the latter country, the task of bearing the
Christian, religion to the natives was assigned to this noble and unselfish body of
devotees. While their primary object was to spread the Gospel, their second-
ary and scarcely less influential purpose was to extend the dominion of France.
Within three years after the restoration of Canada to France, in 1736, there
were fifteen Jesuit priests in the province, and they rapidly increased and ex-
tended their labors to most of the Indian nations on the continent, including
the powerful Iroquois. ' _
In 1654, when peace was temporarily established between the French and
the Five Nations, Father Bablon was permitted to found a mission and build a
chapel in the Mohawk Valley. The chapel was built in a day. " For marbles
and precious metals," he wrote, " we employed only bark ; but the path to
heaven is as open through a roof of bark as through arched ceilings of silver
and gold." War was again enkindled and the Jesuits were forced to flee from
the Iroquois ; but their labors never ceased while opportunity was afforded.
lln 1 712 Rev. William Andrews was sent among the Mohawks by the society for propagating the
Gospel, to succeed Rev. Thoroughgood IMoor; but he abandoned the work in 1719, failing in it as his
predecessor had. Says Hammond's History of Madison County ; " He became discouraged and asked
to be recalled, saying, ' There is no hope of making them better — heathen they are and heathen they
still must be.' " This is but one example of most of the missionary efforts among the Indians.
Indian Occupation. 39
There were twenty-four missionaries who labored among the Iroquois be-
tween the years 1657 ^"^^ 1769. We are directly interested only in those who
sought converts among the Mohawks. These were Isaac Jogues, the recital
of whose career in the Indian country forms one of the most thrilling chapters
of history. He was with the Mohawks as a prisoner from August, 1642, to
the same month of the next year, and as a missionary with the same nation in
1646, in October of which year he was killed. Simon Le Moyne was with the
Mohawks about two months in 1655 ; again in 1656 and the third time from
August, 1657, to May, 1658. He died in Canada in 1665. Francis Joseph
Bressani was imprisoned by the Mohawks about six months in 1644. Julien
Garnier was sent to the Mohawks in May, 1668, and passed on to the Onon-
dagas and Senecas. Jacques Bruyas came from the Onondagas to the Mohawks
in July, 1667, left for the Oneidas in September and returned in 1672, remain-
ing several years. Jacques Fremin came in July, 1667, and reniained about a
year. Jean Pierron was sent in the same year and also remained about one
year. Francis Boniface labored here from 1668 to 1673, when he was suc-
ceeded by Francis Vaillant De Gueslis.
These faithful missionaries were followed in later years by such noble
workers as Rev. Henry Barclay, John Ogilvie, Revs. Messrs. Spencer, Timothy
Woodbridge and Gideon Hawley, Rev. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock, Rev. Samuel
Kirkland, Bishop Hobart, Rev. Eleazer WiUiams, Rev. Dan Barnes (Methodist)
and others of lesser note, all of whom labored faithfully and with varying de-
grees of perseverance for the redemption of the Iroquois. But all were forced
to admit that their efforts as a whole were unsatisfactory and discouraging.^
Later religious and educational work among the Indians, even down to the
present time, while yielding, perhaps, sufficient results to justify its prosecu-
tion, has constantly met with the most discouraging obstacles among the tribes
themselves.^
The advent of European nations on the American continent was the fore-
runner of the downfall of the Iroquois confederacy, and doubtless the ultimate
extinction of the Indian race. The French invasion of 1693 and that of three
years later cost the confederacy half of its warriors ; their allegiance to the
iThe Rev. Mr. Kirkland, who acts as missionary among the Oneidas, has taken all the pains that
man. can take, but his whole flock are Indians still, and like the bear, which you can muffle and lead
out to dance to the sound of music, becomes again a bear when his muffler is removed and the music
ceases. The Indians will attend public worship and sing extremely well, following Mr. Kirkland's
notes ; but whenever the service is over they wrap themselves in their blankets, and either stand like
■ cattle on the sunny side of a house, or lie before a fire. — Doc. History. ■
Mr. Kirkland was one of the very ablest and most self-sacrificing of the missionaries, and what he
could not accomplish in his work it may safely be concluded others could not. In reference to his
labors an anonymous writer, in his Massachusetts Historical Collection (1792), says : "I cannot help
being of the opinion that Indians .... . never were intended to live in a state of civilized
society. There never was, I believe, an instance of an Indian forsakinghis habits and savage manners,
any more than a bear his ferocity."
2 There is little existing evidence thjt the Jesuits labored in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, but Mr.
Watson deems it improbable that they did not.
40 History of Essex County.
British crown (with the exception of the Oneidas) in the Revolutionary War,
proving to be an allegiance with a falling power, — these causes, operating
with the dread of vengeance from the American colonists who had so frequently
suffered at the hands of the savages, broke up the once powerful league and
scattered its members to a large extent upon the friendly soil of Canada, or
' left them at the mercy of the State and general government, which consigned
them to reservations.
In this connection it is deemed for the interest of readers to insert a num-
ber of Indian names as applied to rivers, lakes, islands, localities, etc., in the
present State of New York, or near thereto, with their probable meaning as
developed by various investigators : —
" Chateaugay. — This is by some supposed to be an Indian name ; but it is
French, meaning gay castle. The St. Regis Indians call it ' 0-sar-he-hon,' a
place so close or difficult that the more one tries to extricate himself the worse
he is off This probably relates to the narrow gorge near Chateaugay village.
"Indian River. — On Morgan's map ' 0-je-quck.' The St. Regis name it
by the same appellation as Black Lake, which see farther on.
" Raquette River. — A French word, meaning a snow shoe. It is said to
have been first so called by a Frenchman named Parisein, long before settle-
ments were begun in that 'region, and that the name was suggested by the
shape of a marsh near its mouth. The Iroquois name, 'Ni-ha-na-wa-te,' or
rapid river, is peculiarly applicable. It is said that Colonel Louis, the Indian
chief, told Benjamin Raymond, when surveying, that its Indian name meant
■ noisy river,' for which reason it has often been written ' Raquet'
"St. Lawrence river. — 'Cat-a-ro-qui,' said to be French or Huron. Sig-
nification unknown. On Morgan's map, ' Ga-na-wa-ge.'
" St. Regis river and village. — ' Ak-wis-sas-ne,' where the partridge
drums.
" Salmon river. — ' Kent-si-a-ko-wa-ne,' big fish river.
"Black lake. — ' 0-tsi-kwa-ke,' where the ash tree grows with large knobs
for making clubs.
" Champlain. — ' Ro-tsi-ich-ni,' the coward spirit. The Iroquois are said to
have ofiginally possessed an obscure mythological notion of three supreme be-
ings or spirits, the good spirit, the bad spirit, and the coward spirit. The
latter inhabited" an island in Lake Champlain, where it died, and from this it
derived the name above given.
" Hochelaga. — Former name of Montreal, or its vicinity.
" ' 0-ser-a-ke.' — Beaver dam.
" Canada. — ' Ka-na-ta,' village.
" Montreal. — ' Ti-o-ti-a-ke,' deep water by the side of shallow.
" New York. — ' Ka-no-no,' signification not known.
" Quebec. — ' Te-kia-tan-ta-ri-kon,' twin, or double mountains.
Indian Occupation. 41
" Saratoga. — ' Sa-ra-ta-ke,' a place where the track of the heel may be
seen, in allusion to a locality, said to be in the neighborhood, where depress-
ions like footsteps may be seen on the rock.
" Schenectady. — ' Ska-na-ta-ti,' on the other side of the pines.
" Ticonderoga. — 'Tia-on-ta-ro-ken,' a fork or point between two lakes.
— Hough.
" Ticonderoga. — ' Che-on-de-ro-ga,' where the waters meet. It has
eleven other Indian names. — STREET.
" Mount Marcy. — ' Tahawus,' he splits the sky.
" Mount Seward. — ' Ou-kor-lah,' the great eye.
" Santanoni. — ' Si-non-bo-wanne,' the great mountain.
" Mount Mclntyre. — ' He-no-ga,' home of the thunder.
" Mount Golden. — ' Ou-no-war-lah,' scalp mountain, from the baring of
the rocky peak by slides.
"Bald Peak. — (North Hudson) ' 0-no-ro-no-rum,' bald head.
"Whiteface. — ' Thei-a-no-gu-en,' white head. With reference to the
naked white rock at its summit ; also, ' Wa-ho-par-te-nie.'
" Hurricane Peak. — ' No-do-ne-yo,' hill of the wind.
"Mount Pharaoh. — ' On-de-wa,' black mountain.
" ' Kayadarosseras.' — The lake county.
" Indian Pass. — ' He-no-do-wa-da,' the path of the thunderer. Also, ' Os-
ten-wanne,' great rock; ' Otne-yar-heh,' the stonish giants; and ' Ga-nos-
gwah,' giants clothed with stone.
" Whiteface Glove. — ' Kur-loo-na,' spot of the death song. From the
murmur of the pines in the clove.
"Ausable Forks. — 'Tei-o-ho-ho-gen,' the forks of the river.
" Flume of the Opalescent river. — 'Gwi-en-dau-qua,' a hanging spear.
" The Iron Dam at the village of the Upper Works. — ' Tsi-nag-she,' place
of beavers.
" Lake Champlain. — ' Ganiadare Guarante,' the door of the country.
Also, ' Peta-ou-bough,' a double lake branching into two — with reference to
Lake George. — STREET.
" Split Rock. — ' Re-gioch-ne,' or, Regio rock, or Rogeo. From the
name of a Mohawk Indian drowned at the rock. It denoted the boundary be-
tween the Iroquois and northern Indians.
" Lake George. ■'— ' An-dia-ta-roc-ti,' the place where the lake narrows, or,
where the lake shuts itself Also, ' Tsi-non-drossa,' and ' Ganiadere-oit,' tail
of the lake, namely, part south of Ticonderoga. Likewise, ' Ka-nor-do-ro,'
narrows of the lake ; and ' Horicon,' also tail of the lake, namely, appendage
to Lake Ghamplain. Although the latter name was affixed by the novelist
Gooper, taken from an Indian tribe, yet for its beauty, euphony, and adapta-
tion, it should be adopted as the sole name. — STREET.
42 History of Essex County.
" Lake Henderson. — ' Ga-nu-da-yu,' handsonne lake.
" Lake Golden. — ' Ta-wis-ta-a,' the mountain cup.
" Avalanche Lake. — ' Ta-ne-o-da-eh,' lofty lake, or, lake high up. (Lies
2,900 feet above tide).
" Pharaoh Lake. — ' On-nis-ske,' white or silver lake.
" Ausable Ponds. — ' Ga-wis-da-ga-o,' two goblets side by side.
" Schroon Lake.- — 'Sca-ni-a-dar-oon,' a large lake. Abbreviated to
' Scaroon,' hence Schroon. The above is a Mohawk word found in old land
papers, applied to Schroon lake. In addition, ' Ska-ne-ta-no-wa-na,' the
largest lake. Also, ' Scarona,' the name of an Indian girl who leaped over a
precipice from her French lover and was drowned. Likewise, ' Rogh-qua-
non-da-go,' child of the mountain.
" Schroon River. — ' Gain-bou-a-gwe,' crooked river.
" Hudson River. — ' Co-ha-ta-te-a,' (Mohawk) great river having moun-
tains beyond the (Cahoh) Cohoes falls. Also ' Sha-te- muc,' (Mohegan) from
' Shata,' a pelican or swan. The reason for the name is not known."
In Mr. Street's Indian Pass he gives the derivation of the following names
of mountains : Mount Marcy derives its name from William L. Marcy ; Mount
Seward, from William H. Seward ; Dix's Peak, from John A. Dix ; Mount
Mclntyre, from Archibald Mclntyre ; Mount Henderson, from David Hen-
derson ; Mount Robertson, from Archibald Robertson ; Mount Golden (this
mountain was formerly called Mount McMartin, from Duncan McMai-tin, but
subsequently named after David C. Golden) ; Wallface derives from the wall
of Indian Pass ; Whiteface, from the white feldspar at its summit, bared by
slides ; the Noon Mark, from the sun standing over its top at noon ; Big Pitch-
off, from a leaning rock of 500 feet at the northeast corner of its crest ; Little
Pitch-off, from its impending appearance ; and both also from Pitch-off Moun-
tain ; the Gothics, from their dark, wild aspect ; the Raven derives from such a
bird shot upon the mountain by the first explorer for the State road from
Sandy Hill to the Canada line. Wood Hill, from its leafy look ; the Gobble,
generally supposed to be from the rock resting on the summit, but more
evidently from its want of being " cobbled " or mended, or, as the phrase
now goes, " reconstructed ;" Hurricane Peak, from a lurking wind rushing
at all that climb the ascent ; Boquet river, named by William Gilliland, from
the flowers upon its banks. Some assert it derives its name from Colonel' Bo-
quet, who encamped upon its borders, but it bore the name before his ap-
pearance. Others derive it from baquet, the French for bucket. Others again
from bosquet, a thicket.
European Discovery and Occupation. 43
CHAPTER IV.
EUROPEAN DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION.
The First European Colonists — Discoveries by Columbus and His Immediate Successors — Com-
petition for the New World Territory — New France audits Colonization — Failure of the Scheme — The
Second Attempt and its Failure — Final Success — Champlain's Advent — Explorations under De Chastes
and De Monts — Champlain's Colony of 1608 — Founding of Quebec — Champlain's Expedition against
the Iroquois — The First Battle — Henry Hudson and Dutch Colonization — The English Colonies at
Jamestown and Plymouth Rock — Claims of three European Powers — Subsequent Career of Cham-
plain — Fortunes of New France.
BEFORE we proceed to the consideration of eveiits immediately preceding
and directly connected with the settlement of the Champlain valley, let us
briefly glance at the more prominent earlier occurrences which prepared the
way for it.
It is now scarcely four hundred years since the occurrence of the event which
began the civilization of the American continent by the race who are now its
possessors ; and during the ages that preceded that event, no grander country
in all respects ever awaited the advance of civilization and enlightenment.
With climate and soil diversified between almost the widest extremes ; with
thousands of miles of ocean shores indented by magnificent harbors to welcome
the world's commerce ; with many of the largest rivers of the globe intersect-
ing and draining its territory and forming natural commercial highways ; with
a system of l^kes so grand in proportions as to entitle them to the name of in-
land seas ; with mountains', hills and valleys laden with the richest minerals and
almost exhaustless fuel ; and with scenery unsurpassed for grandeur, it needed
only the coming of the Caucasian to transform a continent of wilderness inhab-
ited by savages, into the free, enlightened republic which is to-day the wonder
and the admiration of the civilized world.
The first Europeans to visit America were Scandinavians, who colonized
Iceland in 875, Greenland in 983 and about the year 1000 had pushed their
discoveries as far southward as the State of Massachusetts. But it was towards
the close of the fifteenth century before the country became known to southern
Europe, a discovery accidentally made in a quest of a westerly route to India
and China. In 1492 the Genoese, Christopher Columbus, set out on a voyage
of discovery under the patronage of the Spanish power, and in that and the
two succeeding years made his tropical discoveries. The Venetian sailor, John
Cabot, was commissioned by Henry VII, of England, in 1497, to voyage to
the new territory and take possession of it in the name of England. He dis-
covered New Foundland and portions adjacent. In 1500 the coast of Labra-
dor and the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence were explored by two broth-
ers from Portugal, named Cortereal. In 1508 Aubert discovered the St. Law-
44 History of Essex County.
rence, and four years later in 1512 Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. Ma-
gellan, the Portugese navigator, passed through the straits which now bear his
name in 1 5 19, and was the first to circumnavigate the globe. In 1 534 Jacques
Cartier explored the St. Lawrence as far as Montreal, and five years later Fer-
nando de Soto explored Florida. In 1578 an English navigator named Drake
discovered Upper California. These brief data indicate that not a century had
passed after the discovery of Columbus, before the different maritime powers
of Europe were in active competition for the rich prizes supposed to exist in
the new world.
While the Spaniards w6re pushing their acquisitions in the South, the French
had gained a foothold in the northern part of the continent. Here the cod fish-
eries of New Foundland and the prospect of a more valuable trade in furs opened
as early as the beginning of the sixteenth century by Frenchmen, Basques,
Bretons and Normans, held out the most glowing inducements. In 1 5 1 8 Baron
Livy settled there (New Foundland) and in 1524 Francis I, of France, sent
thither Jean Verrazzani, a noted Florentine mariner, on a voyage of explora-
tion. He sailed along the coast 2,100 miles in the frail vessels of the period
and returned safely to his country. On his coast voyage he entered a large
harbor, which is supposed to have been that of New York, where he remained
fifteen days ; it is believed that his crew were the first Europeans to land on
the soil of the State of New York. He proceeded north as far as Labrador
and gave to the whole region the name of New France, thus opening the way
for the future contest between France and England.
Ten years later(i534) the same French king sent Jacques Cartier, a St.
Malo pilot, to the new country ; he made two vo3'ages and ascended the St.
Lawrence river as far as Montreal (Hochelaga). As he sailed up the broad
stream on St. Lawrence day (August loth, 1534) he applied to the river the
name of the illustrious saint whose memory is perpetuated by that day. In
the following year Cartier sailed from France with a fleet which bore many of
the nobility of France, who departed for the new country filled with high hopes
and bearing the blessings of the church ; they were to begin the colonization
of " New France." They ascended the river and "moored at what is now
known as the Isle of Orleans. Cartier from this point penetrated to the Indian
town of Hochelaga. and to this he gave the name of Mont-Royal, the beautiful
and opulent Montreal of modern times." 1 The explorer was warmly greeted
by the Indians who tendered him the utmost homage and hospitaHty. The
party of Frenchmen passed the ensuing winter at the Isle of Orleans, suffering
much from the rigors of the climate, and, having taken formal possession of the
country with a deal more of pomp and ceremony than of real acquisition and
settlement, they abandoned their colonization scheme early in the following
season and returned to France. As a beginning of the long list of needless
1 Watson's Essex County.
European Discovery and Occupation. 45
and disgraceful betrayals, treacheries and other civilized (?) abuses to which the
too confiding natives were subjected by the different European nations, Cartier
inveigled into his vessel Donnegana, the Indian chieftain, who had been a gen-
erous and hospitable host, and bore him with several others into hopeless cap-
tivity and final death.
The failure of this colonization movement and the severity of the northern
winters prevented further attempts in the same direction for several years. In
1540 Cartier was sent back with Jean Francis de Robarval, a gentleman of
Picardy, who was appointed by his king as lieutenant-general over the " new
countries of Canada, Hochelaga and Saguenay ;" this commission conferred
power over a vast territory with the plenary powers of vice-royalty.^
In 1 543 Robarval came over the second time, in company with the pilot Jean
Alphonse, of Saintouge, when they took possession of Cape Breton. At this
time the settlement at Quebec was begun. But Robarval was no more suc-
cessful than had been his predecessor in colonization or in pushing discoveries,
and for the half century succeeding his advent to New France, during which
period the rulers of the mother country found their hands full of business in
the religious wars which were occurring at home, little or nothing was accom-
plished in that direction. In 1598 the next unsuccessful attempt was made to
colonize the region of the St. Lawrence, by pouring out upon the country the
convicts from the French prisons ; and it was finally left to private enterprise,
stimulated by the hope of large gains from the fur trade, to make the first suc-
cessful effort towards the permanent occupation of the country.
By the year 1600 Chauvin had obtained a broad patent, which formed the
basis of a trade monopoly, and repeated and prosperous voyages had been
made. This commercial success stimulated others to enter the same field, and
in 1603 Aylmer De Chastes and a company of Rouen merchants organized a
company, the existence of which becomes of paramount historic importance as
having introduced to the field of his later great work, Samuel de Champlain,
discoverer of the lake and the territory of which this history treats, and the
real founder of New France, as well as the most illustrious of those who guided
its destinies.
" Champlain was born at Brouage, a seaport situated on the Bay of Biscay.
Addicted to an intercourse with the sea by the associations of his boyhood,
near the most tempestuous waters of Western Europe, he gratified his instincts
by a connection at an early age with the royal marine of his native country.,
Although a Catholic by birth and sentiment, he followed in the civil wars of
France the ' Banner of Navarre.' When that cause had triumphed he re-
ceived a pension from the gratitude of his liberal but impoverished leader.
Too active and ardent to indulge in the relaxations of peace, he conceived the
1 This parchment title aud these titular functions overshadowed a vast region, and extended in
every direction along the gulf and river St. Lawrence, comprehending in its wide domain the present
limits of New England and Northern New York. — Watson.
46
History of Essex County.
design of a personal exploration of the colonial possessions of Spain, and to
thus obtain a knowledge of their condition and resources, which was studiously
vailed from the world by the jealous policy of that government. His scheme
was sanctioned by the wise and sagacious head of the French administration.
Through the influence of a relative in that service Champlain secured the
command of a ship in the Spanish West India fleet. This singular position,
not' perhaps, in perfect accordance with modern conceptions of professional
honor, was occupied two years, and when he returned to France his mind was
stored with the most valuable information and his journal, ladened with the re-
sults of keen observation of the regions he had visited, was quaintly illustrated
by his uncultivated pencil." ^
De Champlain must have been born with the uncontrollable instinct of in-
vestigation and desire for knowledge of the material world that has always
strongly marked the great explorers. He made a voyage and landed at Vera
Cruz, penetrated to the city of Mexico and visited Panama. More, his jour-
nal shows that he conceived the idea of a ship canal across the isthnius by
which " the voyage to the South Sea might be shortened by more than fifteen
hundred leagues."
When Champlain returned to France he encountered De Chastes, who had
just obtained from his government the privilege of bearing to the new coun-
try the Cross and there extending the dominion of France. Champlain saw
here his opportunity, while De Chastes appreciated at its true value the pecul-
iar qualities of the navigator. They became associated and Champlain, ac-
companied by Pont-Greve, a skillful navigator, embarked in a simple vessel
and sailed from Honfleur on the 5th of March for the St. Lawrence, which
they reached after a short and prosperous voyage. Advancing up the noble
stream to " Hochelaga " they found nothing left of the palisades described by
Cartier sixty-eight years before, and but a remnant of the population that ex-
plorer had discovered, in the forms of a few wandering savages of another race
and language. These natives excited Champlain's visions of immortal fame by
describing to him in rough drawings the course of the majestic stream, the
lakes of its source, and the surrounding rich country. He thereupon de-
termined to give up his future years to the exploration of this new world, and
returned to France imbued with that purpose. Here he found the abettor of
this enterprise, De Chastes, dead ; but his rights and privileges had passed to
the Sieur de Monts, "a Protestant gentleman of character and high position."
He had obtained from the government a patent which included in its scope a
vast extent of territory, stretching from near the site of Philadelphia on the
south to the Forty-sixth parallel on the north, and extending east and west
indefinitely. Here he determined to found a colony which should enjoy
among other blessings, freedom of religious belief and practice. But in gath-
1 Watson's Essex Countv.
European Discovery and Occupation. 47
ering his colonists his impartiality included all classes, from the nobleman to
the convict from the prison, and all shades of religious conviction or of none
at all. Such a gathering amid the surroundings that existed at that time on
the St. Lawrence could scarcely hope to endure. De Monts made an effort to
colonize Acadia, and also occupied a portion of Maine. A companion of his
founded a colony at Port Royal, the first permanent European settlement
north of St. Augustine. In all these projects Champlain was intimately asso-
ciated, from 1604 to 1607, during which period he explored the shores of New
England to Cape Cod. He published a chart of this coast, which proved to
be of great value.
Finally the valuable prerogatives of De Monts were taken from him with-
out scruple, and he conferred their privileges, as far as he was able, on the
Baron de Pourtraincourt, with whom Champlain again sailed for. " New
France." They were accompanied by a considerable number of colonists.
Reaching the coast of New England they explored it still farther and again
returned to France.
In 1608 Champlain, having counseled his protectors that the banks of the
St. Lawrence was a more propitious site for their new empire, he was sent
with Pont-Greve. They embarked in a small vessel laden with all of the nec-
essaries for the proposed colony, and materials with which to begin the fur
trade. Sailing up the river they selected the bold promontory at the conflu-
ence of the St. Charles with the St. Lawrence and there founded Quebec.
Here active and energetic labor began. The forests were felled, cabins erected
and fortifications built, and a garden was planted.
In the succeeding September Pont-Greve sailed for France, leaving Cham-
plain with twenty-eight companions, to occupy the little settlement until his
return in the spring with additional supplies and colonists. The winter was a
terrible one to the little band ; the scurvy broke out among them and when the
vessel of Pont-Greve came up the river in the spring, only eight survivors wel-
comed it and the comforts it brought for their relief
To satisfy his thirst for exploration and conquest, Champlain prevailed upon
Pont-Greve to remain at Quebec, while he should unite with the Indians and
march forth into the unknown country which they had described to him. They
had said that the country they desired to conquer was thickly settled ; that to
reach it they must pass by a waterfall, thence into another lake, from the head
of which there was a carrying-place to a river, which flowed towards the coast.
This course of their intended march is clearly understood at this day as lead-
ing up Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga ; thence up the outlet of Lake George
past the falls ; thence through Lake George to the Hudson river.
Accordingly, with this purpose Champlain made up his party of Indians
(which was increased by the addition of sixty warriors at the mouth of the So-
rel) and two Europeans and in May ascended that river to the Chambly rapids.
48
History of Essex County.
in
name
twenty-four canoes, whence they reached " a great lake and gave it his own
Passing along what now constitutes the eastern borders of Essex county,
h? s^w what he thus mentions in his journal : " These parts, though agreeable,
are not inhabited by any Indians, in consequence of their wars." On the other
shore, though, he was assured by his companions, the Iroquois had many vil-
lages which embraced "beautiful valleys and fields fertile in corn, with an in-
finitude of other fruits." As they entered the great lake they saw " a number
of beautiful islands filled with fine woods and prairies." " Game and wild ani-
mals abounded on these islands." He describes the larger islands and the rivers
that discharged " into the lake surrounded by fine trees similar to those we
have in France, with a quantity of vines, handsomer than I ever saw, and a
great many chestnuts." ^
Referring to the exuberance of fish in the lake, Champlain related some
wild tales of his savage alKes. Continuing their route on the west side of
the lake, he says, " and contemplating the country, I saw very high mountains
on the east side covered with snow," and he observed " others to the south not
less high but without snow." The Indians informed him " that here were beau-
tiful valleys and fields, fertile in corn, with an infinitude of other fruits, and that
this country was inhabited by the Iroquois." ^
In proceeding up the lake it was the practice of the Indians to send three
of their canoes in advance, as night approached, and if no enemy was discov-
ered, to retire in peace. Against " this bad habit of theirs " Champlain expos-
tulated, but to little purpose. In this manner " they proceed until they ap-
proach an enemy's country," when they advance " stealthily by night, all in a
body except the scouts, and retire by day into picket forts where they repose."
Thus the party proceeded up the lake to their landing-place, a full and graphic
account of which journey is contained in Champlain's journal. Following is
his vivid description of his meeting and battle with the Iroquois : —
" Now on coming within about two or three days' journey of the enemy's
quarters, we traveled only by night and rested by day. Nevertheless, they
never omitted their usual superstition to ascertain whether their enterprise
would be successful, and often asked me whether I had dreamed and seen their
enemies.
" At nightfall we embarked in our canoes to continue our journey and
as we advanced very softly and noiselessly, we encountered a war party of
1 Mr. Watson says the wild grape vine is yet a striking feature in the natural products of the Cham-
plain valley. He adds, " I conjecture that Champlain must have confounded the chestnut with the
butternut tree, which occurs in abundance and of vast size in these localities."
^Upon this allusion Mr. Watson observes, "The presence of snow upon the mountains of Ver-
mont, none of which exceeds 5,000 feet in height, in July is incredible, and (..hamplain was probably
deceived by an optical illusion produced by clouds or mist. I am inclined, however, to conjecture
that ^the words 'west' and 'east' have been transposed. From the east side of the lake he might
have seen the bold and naked peak of ' Whiteface ' from \yhich that mountain derives its name. It is
situated in the town of Wilmington."
European Discovery and Occupation. 49
Iroquois.i on the 29th day of the month, about 10 o'clock at night, at the point of
a cape which juts into the lake on the west side. They and we began to shout,
each seizing his arms. We withdrew toward the water and the Iroquois repaired
on shore, and arranged all their canoes, the one beside the other, and began to
hew down trees with villainous axes, which they sometimes get in war, and oth-
ers of stone, and fortified themselves very securely. Our party, likewise, kept
their canoes arranged the one along side of the other, tied to poles so as not
to run adrift, in order to fight all together should need be. We were on the
water about an arrow shot from their barricade.
" When they were armed and in order, they sent two canoes from the fleet
to know if their enemies wished to fight, who answered they desired noth-
ing else ; but that just then there was not much light, and that we must wait
for day to distinguish each other, and that they would give us battle at sunrise.
This was agreed to by our party. Meanwhile the whole night was spent in
dancing and singing, as well on one side as on the other, mingled with an infin-
itude of insults and other taunts, such as the little courage they had ; how pow-
erless their resistance against their arms, and that when day would break they
should experience this to their ruin. Ours, likewise, did not fail in repartee ;
telling them they should witness the effects of arms they had never seen
before ; and a multitude of other speeches such as is usual at the siege of a
town.
" After the one and the other had sung, danced and parliamented enough,
day broke. My companions and I were always concealed, for fear the enemy
should see us in preparing our arms the best we could, being, however, sepa-
rated, each in one of the canoes of the savage Montaquars. After being
equipped with light armor we took each an arquebus and went ashore. I saw
the enemy leave their barricade ; they were about 200 men, of strong and ro-
bust appearance, who were coming slowly toward us, with a gravity and assur-
ance which greatly pleased me, led on by their chiefs. Ours were marching in
similar order, and told me that those who bore three lofty plumes were the
chiefs, and that there were but these three and they were to be recogniz'ed by
those plumes, which were considerably larger than those of their companions,
and that I must do all I could to kill them. I promised to do what I could,
and that I was very sorry they could not clearly understand me, so as to give
them the order and plan of attacking their enemies, as we should indubitably
defeat them all, but there was no help for that ; that I was very glad to encour-
age them and to manifest to them my good will when we should be engaged.
1 The name " Iroquois," is used in the translation of Champlain's works, and also here, as best ren-
dering the meaning clear to the reader ; but it was, of course, not known at the time of the occurrence
of these events. The Mohawks were known to the Dutch as the " Maquaes," and as " Agnies " to
the Canadian Indians ; to the latter the name of " Montagners '' was applied, which was derived from
a range of mountains extending northwesterly from near Quebec, as explained on the first page of this
chapter.
i
so History of Essex County.
" The moment we landed they began to run. about two hundred paces toward
their enemy, who stood firm, and had not perceived my companions, who went
into the bush with some savages. Ours commenced calling me in a loud voice,
and making way for me opened in two, and placed me at their head, marching
about twenty paces in advance until I was within thirty paces of the enemy.
The moment they saw me they halted, gazing at me and I at them. When I
saw them preparing to shoot at us, I raised my arquebus, and aiming directly
at one of the three chiefs, two of them fell to the ground by this shot ; one of
their companions received a wound of which he died afterwards. I had put four
balls in my arquebus. Ours on witnessing a shot so favorable for them, setup
such tremendous shouts that thunder could not have been heard ; and yet,
there was no lack of arrows on the one side or the other. The Iroquois, were
greatly astonished seeing two men killed so instantaneously, notwithstanding
they were provided with arrow-proof armor, ^ woven of cotton thread and
wood; this frightened them very much. Whilst I was reloading one of my
companions in the bush fired a shot, which so astonished them anew, seeing
their chief slain, that they lost courage, took to flight and abandoned their fort,
hiding themselves in the depths of the forest, whither pursuing them, I killed
some others. Our savages also killed several of them and took ten or twelve
prisoners. The rest carried off the wounded. Fifteen or sixteen of ours were
wounded by arrows ; they were promptly cured.
. " After having gained the victor)'- they amused themselves plundering Indian
corn and meal from the enemy ; also their arms which they had thrown away
to run the better. And having feasted, danced and sung, we returned, three
hours afterward, with the prisoners.
" The place where the battle was fought is in forty^three degrees some min-
utes latitude, and I named it Lake Champlain."
This battle, the first of the long series that was to consecrate the locality
with the blood of three contending powers, was doubtless fought near, if not
directly upon the promontory afterwards occupied by Fort Ticonderoga.
This opinion is advanced by the best authorities. The plan of the campaign
and the route to be traveled, as described to Champlain by his savage com-
panions, led beyond question up the outlet from Lake Champlain to Lake
George. Hence there is no reason for assuming that they followed farther up
the coast than Ticonderoga, and ample reason for believing that here would be
their landing place. The Indians had told Champlain that after traversing the
lake they " must pass by a water-fall and thence into another lake three or
1 Mr. Watson says that "the allusion to this armor presents an interesting and suggestive in-
quiry. We know of the product of no indigenous plant, which Champlain might have mistaken for
cotton. He must have been familiar with that plant. The fact he mentions implies either the exist-
ence of a commercial intercourse between the. natives of the North and South ; or perhaps the Mohawks
may have secured the cotton as a trophy in some of their southern incursions." Without desiring to
argue the question, it is still pertinent to state that it is doubtful if the Indians could at that early date
have obtained cotton upon any southern incursion. '
European Discovery and Occupation. 51
four leagues long." No clearer description of the route from one lake to the
other can be written at this day.
" Standing upon his field of battle, proud and confident of the future, and
gazing out upon the beautiful sheet of water which had borne him to the
scene of his triumph, Champlain gave to it his own name, and as such it per-
petuates his memory. An attempt was made in later years by his country-
men to substitute the name of ' Mer des Iroquois,' but this injustice was hap-
pily prevented."^
Thus was signalized the first hostile meeting between the civilized white man
and the untutored Indian. Low as the latter was found in the scale of intelligence
and humanity, and terrible as were many of the subsequent bloody deeds of the
Iroquois, it cannot be denied that their early treatment by the Europeans was
scarcely calculated to foster in the savage breast any other feeling than bit-
terest hostility. It is like a pathetic page from a romance to read that " the
Iroquois are greatly astonished, seeing two men killed so instantaneously," one of
whom was their noble chief; while the ingenuous acknowledgment'of Cham-
plain, " I had put four balls in my arquebus," is a vivid testimony of how little
mercy the Iroquois nations were to expect thenceforth from their northern
enemies and the pale-faced race who were eventually to drive them from their
domain.
But it was an age in which might was appealed to as right oftener than in
late years, and the planting of the lowly banner of the Cross was often pre-
ceded by bloody conquest. In the light of the prevailing customs in the old
world at that time, we must view the ready hostility of Champlain towards his
helpless enemies.
The Algonquin Indians, who had passed through a generation or more of
warfare with the Iroquois and were generally getting the worst of the contest,
now found themselves armed with a weapon with which they could, for a time,
win victory on any field.
Let us now turn for a moment to other events which had an important bearing
on the settlement of this part of the country. A few weeks after the momentous
battle between Champlain and the Indians, Henry Hudson, an intrepid English
navigator, then in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, moored his
vessel (the Half-Moon), a mere yacht, in the waters of the great river that now
bears his name; this event occurred on the 3d of September, 1609. He met
and entertained the natives, and was hospitably received by them ; but before
his departure he conferred upon them experimental knowledge of the effects
of intoxicating liquor — an experience perhaps more baneful in its results than
that conferred by Champlain a hundred and fifty miles northward, with his new
and murderous weapon. Hudson ascended the river to a point within less
than a hundred miles of that reached by Champlain, returned to Europe
ft
1 Watson.
52 History of Essex County.
and, through the information he had gained, soon after estabhshed a Dutch
colony for which a charter was granted in 1614, naming the region " New
Netherland." In 1623 it was made a province or county of Holland. In 1614
they established a fort on Manhattan Island and one in the following year on
the site of Albnny. In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was formed and
took possession of " New Amsterdam" under the charter granted them. For
fifteen years they remained at peace with the Indians; but the harsh and un-
wise administration of William Kieft, who was appointed director-general in
September, 1637, provoked the Indians to hostilities and opened a war which
continued with but little interruption during the remainder of the Dutch occu-
pancy, and often endangered the very existence of the colony.
Meanwhile, in 1607, the English had made their first permanent settle-
ment-at Jamestown, Virginia, and in 1620 planted a second colony at Plymouth
Rock. These two colonies became the successful rivals of all others, of what-
ever nationality, in the strife that finally left; them masters of the country.
On the discoveries and the colonization efforts we have briefly noted, three
European powers based claims to a part of the territory embraced in the State
of New York. England, by reason of the discovery of Cabot, who sailed under
letters patent from Henry VII, and on the 24th of June, 1497, struck the
sterile coast of Labrador, and that made in the following year by his son Se-
bastian, who explored the coast from New Foundland to Florida, claiming a ter-
ritory eleven degrees in width and extending westward indefinitely. France,
by reason of the discoveries of Verrazzani, claimed a portion of the Atlantic
coast ; and Holland, by reason of the discovery of Hudson, claimed the
country from Cape Cod to the southern shore of Delaware bay. As we have
stated, the Dutch became:, for the time being, the possessors of the region under
consideration.
In concluding this chapter it will not be out of place to make a brief refer-
ence to the later career of Champlain, intimately associated as he was with the
civilized knowledge of the beautiful waters that bathe the border of Essex
county, although the events noted are not directly connected with this history.
The year following his discovery of the lake, Champlain passed in France ; but
the opening season of 161 1 found him again ascending the St. Lawrence. He
selected and laid out the foundations of Montreal and further advanced the in-
terests of New France. But calamity threatened the colony, when Henry,
who had been his firm ally and protector, was killed by Ravillac. Champlain
turned back to France and secured the appointment first of Count de Soissons,
and upon his death, of the Prince de Conde, as guardian and protector of New
France, with all the powers of vice-royalty. In 1612 Champlain returned to
Quebec, clothed with the power of sovereignty granted him by De Conde. In
the following year he ascended the Ottawa in quest of a fabulous sea, of which
he*had heard tales ; but he returned disappointed. Montreal soon became a
European Discovery and Occupation. S3
trading mart of importance, and Conde succeeded in obtaining grants confer-
ring extended privileges, and in 1615 Champlain returned to the scene of his
toils, freshly inspired. He had become equally zealous in the CathoHc faith
and took with him several Franciscan monks. A council was held at Montreal
at which Champlain and the gathered Indians entered into a treaty of alliance
for the extermination of the western tribes of the Iroquois.^ At the same
time Le Caron, one of the monks, unselfishly offered to accompany the Hurons
to their villages, which he did, and was the first European who gazed upon
Lake Huron. Champlain again navigated the perilous waters of the Ottawa,
traveled to Lake Nepissing and thence was guided to the great lake. He con-
templated it with admiration and gave it the name of " Merdouce," which was
changed to Lake Huron. ^ Here Le Caron had erected the cross and a te deum
was chanted and a mass said.
The Huron warriors assembled and, descending the lakes in great numbers,
entered the country of the Senecas. Here they found a fort of great strength
and constructed with remarkable skill, while their village was inclosed by strong
palisades of timbers thirty feet in height. After a fruitless siege of several days,
and in spite of the expostulations of Champlain, the baffled Hurons resolved to
abandon the enterprise and retreat. Champlain was wounded in the knee and
leg by the Seneca arrows and was bound to the back of a vigorous savage,
" like an infant in its swaddling clothes," and carried many leagues, impatient
and suffering. The approaching winter he passed in the lodge of a Huron
chief and in visiting the remote tribes of the Algonquins.
Returning again to civilization, Champlain erected the castle of St. Louis.
In 161 6, at the end of one of his visits to France, he came back with a young
and beautiful wife. In 1628 he heroically defended Quebec against the Eng-
lish, capitulating only when his almost famished garrison were forced to aban-
don the hope of succor. But peace soon liberated Champlain and restored
Quebec to France.
" Before and subsequent to these events, the checkered career of the explorer
had been impressed by perpetual trials, perplexities and vicissitudes, with alter-
nate depressions, and a return to power and position. Vanquishing by his in-
flexible perseverance and profound sagacity the hostilities of rivals and the
evasions of a despotic government, he returned the last time, in 1633, to the state
his wisdom and zeal had created, invested by Richelieu with all his former pre-
rogatives. Having suppressed the Indian excitement which had agitated his
province, conciliated the jarring jealousies and angry feuds of mercenary traders
and arbitrary officials, and amply asserted and perfected the dominion of his
sovereign over a vast region, Champlain died in 1635, and is commemorated
1 Champlain asserts that he engaged in this scheme "to satisfy the desire I had of learning some-
thing of that country."
2 Champlain stood on the northern shores of Lake Huron, a thousand miles from the Atlantic, five
years before the foot of the Puritan Pilgrims rested on the rock at Plymouth. — Watson.
54 History of Essex County.
in the annals of the country he served so ably and with such fidelity as ' the
father of New France.'"
CHAPTER V.
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
The Champlain Valley as a Field of Warfsre — End of the Dutch Regime — De Courcelle's Expedi-
tion— M. de Tracy's Incursion against the Mohawks — Events of 1666 and 1667 — Count de Fronte-
nac — Peace of 1673 — Renewal of Hostilities — De la Barre's Proposed Expedition against the Sen-
ecas — Arrival of De Nonville — His Policy — Invasion of the Senecas' Country —7 Revenge of the In-
dians— Montreal Sacked and Burned — Return of Frontenac — 1 hree Expeditions — Schenectady Burned
— English Apathy ■ — Failure of Two Movements against the French — John Schuyler's Successful
Incursion — Deplorable Condition of the French Colonists — Famine — Frontenac's Operation against
the Mohawks and Onondagas — Peace.
FROM the date of the death of Champlain lintil the end of French domina-
tion in New France, the friendship established by that great explorer be-
tween the northern Indians and the French was unbroken, while at the same
time it led to the unyielding hostility of the Iroquois, and especially of the Mo-
hawks. If truces and formal peace treaties were formed between these antag-
onistic elements, they were both brief in tenure and of little general effect. As
a consequence of this and the fact that Lake Champlain was the natural high-
way between the hostile nations, it became the scene of prolonged conflict and
deeds of savage atrocity which retarded settlement and devastated its borders.
" The feuds of the peoples of Europe and the malignant passions of Eiiropean
sovereigns, armed the colonies of England and the provinces of France in con-
flicts where the ordinary ferocity of border warfare was aggravated by the re-
lendess atrocities of savage barbarism. Each power emulated the other in
the consummation of its schemes of blood and rapine. Hostile Indian tribes,
panting for slaughter, were let loose along the whole frontier upon feeble set-
tlements, struggling amid the dense forest, with a rigorous climate and reluc-
tant soil, for a precarious existence. Unprotected mothers, helpless infancy
and decrepit age, were equally the victims of the torch, the tomahawk and
scalping knife. Lake Champlain was the great pathway, equally accessible
and useful to both parties, of these bloody and devastating forays. In the sea-
son of navigation they glided over the placid waters of the lake, with ease and
celerity, in the bark canoes of the Indians. The ice of winter afforded them a
broad, crystal highway, with no obstruction of forest or mountain or ravine or
river. If deep and impassable snows rested upon its bosom, snow shoes were
readily constructed, and secured and facilitated their march."
The French and Inijian War. 55
We made a brief allusion a few pages back to the hostility that was provoked
between the Dutch and the Indians by the ill-conceived action of Kieft, who
was director-general for about ten years succeeding 1637, when he was suc-
ceeded by Peter Stuyvesant, in May, 1647, as director-general, or governor.
He was the last of the Dutch officials in that capacity, and the firm and just
course followed by him harmonized the difficulties with the Indians and also
with the Swedes who had colonized in the region of the Delaware.
On the 1 2th of March, 1664, Charles II, of England, conveyed by royal
patent to his brother James, Duke of York, all the country from the River St.
Croix to the Kennebec, in Maine ; also Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and
Long Island, together with all the land from the west side of the Connecticut
river to the east side of Delaware bay. The duke sent an English squadron,
under Admiral Richard Nicolls, to secure the gift, and on the 8th of September
following Governor Stuyvesant capitulated, being constrained to that course by
the Dutch colonists, who preferred peace with the same privileges and liberties
accorded to the English colonists, to a prolonged and perhaps fruitless contest.
Thus ended the Dutch regime. The English changed the name of New Am-
sterdam to New York.
The Dutch had, during their period of peace with the Iroquois, become
thrifty and well-to-do through the energetic prosecution of their missionary
work of trading guns and rum to the Indians, thus supplying them with a two-
edged sword. The peaceful relations existing between the Dutch and the
Indians at the time of the English accession were maintained by the latter;
but strife and jealousy continued between the English and French, the former
steadily gaining ground, both through their success in forming and maintaining
an alliance with the Iroquois and the more permanent character of their set-
tlements.
In the hope of avenging past injuries and to put an end to future incursions,
the people of New France resolved, in 1665, to send against the Mohawks a
force that would not return until their enemies were wiped from the face of
the earth. On the 23d of March of that year Daniel de Runy, Knight, Lord
de Courcelles, was appointed governor of Canada, and in September of that
year arrived with a regiment, several families and necessaries^ for the estab-
lishment of a colony. In June of the same year M. de Tracy was appointed
viceroy of the French possessions in America, and brought with him to Quebec
four regiments of infantry. On the 9th of January, 1666, De Courcelles started
with less th^n six hundred men on a long and perilous march of nearly three
hundred miles in mid-winter, when the snow was four feet deep. " The gov-
ernor caused slight sledges to be made in good numbers, laying provisions
upon them, drew them over the snow with mastiff dogs." ^ The men traveled
1 It is recorded that the first horses were brought to Canada on this occasion.
2 Relations of the march. — Doc. History.
56 History of Essex County.
on snow shoes. Lake Champlain was thus passed and after a march of thirty-
five days, during which many of the men were frozen and all suffered great
hardship, they arrived within twenty leagues of the Mohawks. Here they
learned from prisoners taken that the greater part of the Mohawks and Oneidas
had gone to a distance to make war upon the " wampum-makers." Watson
says they " were only preserved from destruction by the active, though ill-
requited beneficence of a small Dutch settlement, standing on the outer verge
of civilization. The potent influence and urgent intercessions of a prominent,
although private, citizen of Schenectady averted from the suffering and de-
fenseless Frenchmen the vengeance of the exasperated Mohawks " — (refer-
ring to Arent Van Corlear). His unselfish act was gratefully acknowledged
by the colonial government, and De Tracy urged him to visit Quebec. Corlear
accepted this courtesy in the year 1667, and while making the passage of Lake
Champlain was drowned " by a sudden squall of wind, in crossing a great
bay."i Deeming it " useless to push further forward an expedition which had
all the effect intended by the terror it spread among all the tribes," ^ Courcelles
retraced his march.
The magnitude of this expedition, although it resulted in no immediate dis-
aster to the Iroquois, prompted them to sue for peace, and a treaty was con-
cluded in.May, June and July, 1666, by the Senecas, Oneidas and Mohawks,
respectively. Pending the negotiations, the Mohawks committed an outrage
on the Fort St. Anne garrison, and M. de Tracy was convinced that the treaty
would be rendered more stable if the Mohawks were further chastised. Ac-
cordingly in September, at the head of 600 troops and 700 Indians, he made
an incursion into the Mohawk country, only to find it deserted by the wily
savages. After destroying their villages and crops, he returned.
In the following } ear (July, 1667) was concluded the peace of Breda, be-
tween Holland, England and France. This gave the New Netherlands to the
English, and Acadia (Nova Scotia), with fixed boundaries, to the French. But
the period of quiet was of short duration, for in [669 we find the French again
at war with their old antagonists, the Iroquois. On account of these unceasing
hostilities the French found it difficult to harvest their crops in safety ;
suffering and consternation prevailed and many prepared to return to France.
But in April, 1672, Count de Frontenac was appointed governor and lieuten-
ant-general of Canada, and under his efficient administration, confidence was
restored and a treaty of peace again established in 1673.^
1 Mr. Watson feels no hesitation in locating this bay as what is now known as Willsborough bay, in
Essex county. He says : "I am strongly fortified in my conjecture by the statement of Dr. O'Calla-
ghan, that an ancient map exists in the office of the surveyor-general of the State, on which this bay is
named Corlear's bay."
2 Doc. History.
3 Count de Frontenac writes September 14th, 1674: "In spite of the efforts of the Dutch to get
the Iroquois to make war on the French, the Iroquois came last year on solemn embassy to Montreal,
brought eight children belonging to the principal families of their villages, and ratified the^treaty made
with them in 1673." — Colonial History of New York.
The French and Indian War. 57
In 1684 another rupture occurred between the French and Iroquois. M.
de la Barre was then governor of New France, and Colonel Dongan governor
of New York. The Frenchman led an expedition against the Senecas, but
hearing that the latter would be reinforced by Dongan with " 400 horse and
400 foot," he gave up his purpose. This pretentious expedition, which ended
so ignominiously, subjected De la Barre to severe censure and in the following
year he was superseded by the Marquis de Nonville, who came over instructed
to preserve a strict neutrality. This he found to be impossible and so informed
his sovereign. Reinforcements were sent him for a determined attack upon the
Senecas, and in the summer of 1687 an expedition of 2,000 French and In-
dians was organized and marched against the enemy. This large force impelled
the Indians to adopt their customary tactics for self-preservation, and their vil-
lages were deserted, or nearly so. After destroying everything of value, the
expedition returned. This bold incursion into the country of their strongest
nation alarmed the Iroquois, and they applied to Governor Dongan for protec-
tion. It was promised them, of course, with accompanying advice that they
should not make peace with the French ; but De Nonville called a meeting of
chiefs of the Five Nations at Montreal to arrange a treaty, and they decided to
send representatives. Before this was consummated, and on account of alleged
treachery on the part of De Nonville, the Iroquois became deeply angered
against the French and burned for revenge. In July, 1689, 1,200 Iroquois
warriors landed on the upper end of the island of Montreal, burned houses,
sacked plantations, massacred men, women and children and retired with
twenty-six prisoners, most of whom were burned alive. In October following
they made a similar incursion at the lower end of the island, which was like-
wise devastated. These successful invasions were of incalculable injury to the
French interests, and becoming known to their Indian allies, already disgusted
with De la Barre's failure, caused many of them to seek an alliance with the
English and open trade with them. "They would have murdered the whole
French colony to placate the Iroquois, and would certainly have done it," says
Colden, " had not the Sieur Perot, with wonderful sagacity and eminent hazard
to his own person, diverted them."
The French colony was now in a pitiable condition, but an unexpected and
welcome change was at hand. The divided counsels of the English colonies,
growing out of the revolution in the mother country resulting in the accession
of the Prince of Orange to the throne, gave a new aspect to affairs. The Count
de Frontenac, whose previous administration had been wise and efficient, was
again appointed governor May 21st, 1689, and arrived in October. Pie had
learned the futility of prosecuting a war against the Iroquois and made earnest
efforts to negotiate a peace with them. Failing, he determined to terrify them
into neutrality. For this purpose he fitted out three expeditions, one against
New York, one against Connecticut and the third against New England. The
58 History of Essex County.
first was directed against Schenectady, which was sacked and burned on the
night of February 9th, 1690. A band of the French and Huron Indians, after
a march of twenty-two days "along the course of West Canada creek," 1 fell
upon the doomed hamlet. But two houses were spared, and fifty or sixty old
men, women and children and about twenty Mohawks, " in order to show them
that it was the English and not they against whom the grudge was enter-
tained." The French made a rapid but disastrous retreat, suffering from the
severe weather and the harassing pursuit of their enemies. This and other
assaults at other points so disheartened the people at Albany that they resolved
to retire to New York ; their course was altered only after a delegation of the
brave Mohawks had visited them and reproached them for their supineness,
urging them to a courageous defense of their homes. This heroic conduct of
the Iroquois challenges our admiration ; notwithstanding French intrigues and
Jesuitical influence, combined with exasperating English apathy, which ap-
peared willing to sacrifice these savage yet noble allies, they adhered to their
early allegiance.
Repeated incursions by the French and Indians at last awakened the Eng-
lish colonists to the conviction that they must harmoniously unite in their
1 In a foot note in his excellent work on Essex county, Mr. Watson makes the following interesting
observation : " This is opposed to the generally received idea that this road was along the line of Lake
Champlain. A route by West Canada creek implies an avenue of communication between Canada and
the Mohawk valley different from that afforded by the usual line traversed by the French, either from
Oswego or by the way of Lake Champlain. The route mentioned possibly had a lernlinus on the St.
Lawrence, near the mouth of the Black River. Writers constantly advert to the use of such an inter-
mediate channel ; but their attention does not seem to have been directed to its locality or character.
Sir John Johnson, it is stated, when he violated his parole arid fled with the mass of his tenantry to
Canada, consumed nineteen days, with great exposure and suffering, in traversing the wilderness by
some interior line, known to him and the Indians. But no further light is thrown upon a question,
which to my mind is invested with much geographical and historical interest. I will venture the pre-
sumption, that, at this period more than one familiar route had been established through the vast pri-
meval forests, which embrace the western confines of Essex county, which still exist in their original
gloom and solitudes. No other route would have been available, when both Oswego and Champlain,
as often occurred, were in the occupation of a hostile power. The valleys of the streams which flow
into the Mohawk and Hudson, and which almost mingle their waters with the affluents of the St. Law-
rence, might have been ascended, and the lakes and rivers of the wilderness may have been used with
great facility for a canoe navigation. A few trifling carrying places would have interposed only slight
impediments, and when closed by the frosts of winter these waters could still afford a most favorable
route of communication. Other avenues through this wilderness were undoubtedly accessible, but my
own observation has suggested one which I will trace. The upper valley of the Hudson may have
been penetrated, until the line is reached of a small branch, which, starting from the lakes in the vicinity
of the Adirondac works, finds its way to the Hudson. Passing up the valley along which this stream
gradually descends, the inaccessible range of mountains would be avoided. Thence traversing the In-
dian pass in nearly an imperceptible ascent, the plains of North Elba would be reached and these open
upon the vast plateau of the wilderness, along which the Racket rolls a gentle current, adapted to the
Indian canoe, to the St. Lawrence. This idea possibly explains the origin of the modern name which
has been assigned to the wonderful structures known to the natives as ' Otneyarh,' the place of stony
giants. Gentlemen of great intelligence and careful observation have assured me that they have noticed
evidences in the wilderness of other ancient pathways disclosed by still open tracks, the vestiges of rude
bridges and the mouldering remains of coarsely hewn vehicles calculated for manual transportation."
The French and Indian War. 59
efforts against their enemies, if they would succeed. A convention was accord-
ingly held in New York in 1690, constituted of delegates from Massachusetts,
Connecticut and New York, at which it was resolved to combine their strength
for the subjugation of Canada. Massachusetts engaged to equip a fleet and
attack the French possessions by sea, while the other two States should assault
Montreal and the forts upon the Sorel. The land forces mustered at Lake
Ceorge in formidable numbers, embarked in canoes and sailed to Ticon-
•deroga. Embarking again on Lake Champlain, but little progress was made
when the expedition was abandoned through failure in supplies and dissensions
in the force. The failure of these efforts and the heavy expenses incurred left
the colonies in a more defenseless situation than before.
In the same year John Schuyler (grandfather of Philip Schuyler of Rev-
olutionary fame) organized a band of about one hundred and twenty " Chris-
tians and Indians" for an incursion into the French possessions. He cautiously
passed down Lake Champlain and landed in the vicinity of Chambly.^ Leav-
ing his canoes in safety, he penetrated to La Prairie, far within the line of the
French fortresses. The unexampled bravery of the little force contributed
largely to its remarkable success. They fell upon the French colonists, who
were unsuspectingly engaged in their harvest, and in the savage spirit that then
controlled such movements, committed young and old alike to slaughter. The
■" scalps of four women folks " were among the trophies.
In the summer of 1691 Major Peter Schuyler led an expedition against the
same settlement. He marched, according to his journal, on the 21st of June
from Albany to Stillwater, twenty-four miles. On the 24th they proceeded
to "Saraghtoga;" on the 26th to the first carrying place (Fort Mills), and thence
to the second carrying place (Fort Edward). On the 28th they marched to the
last carrying place (Fort Anne) where they biiilt canoes. July 9th "came Ger-
rard Luykosse and Herman Vedder, from a party of eighty Mohawks, at a
lake right over Saraghtoga [Saratoga lake, the Indian name of which was Kay-
aderoga] who went by the way of Lake St. Sacrament ^ [Lake George] and
1 In Schuyler's journal he says that " they proceeded down the lake to Canaghsione " (the two rocks '
ten miles below Whitehall), "killing a couple of elk on the way for food." On the 15th they encamped
a mile beyond "Cruyn Puint" (Crown Point). On the i6th they advanced to Kanordoro (the Narrows),
and the 17th proceeded to Ogharonde (Windmill Point), where plans for the attack were laid. The 23d
they reached La Prairie and found the inhabitants peacefully engaged in their harvest. The savages
fell upon them and slaughtered indiscriminately. Returning, the journal says they, on the 26th en-
■camped at " the little stone fort," this being the first record of any considerable force halting at Ticon-
<ieroga.
2 Saint Sacrament, literally the lake of the blessed Sacrament, which name it obtained in 1646, from
Father Jogues, because he passed through it on the festival of Corpus Christi. — E. B. O'Callaghan.
The common impression that the name of the lake was suggested by the singular purity of its water,
is erroneous. By the aborigines, it was in one dialect called Canidere-Oit, or the tail of the lake, in
reference to its relation to Lake Champlain. — Spafford's Gazetteer.
By the Iroquois it was named Andiatarocte, " there the Lake shuts itself." —Relations.
" Honiton," although redolent with beauty, seems to be a pure poetical fancy. The various names
attached, as well to tribes as to places, in the difficult Indian language, often lead to confusion and
«rror. — Watson.
6o History of Essex County.
promised to meet us in six days at Chinandroga [Ticonderoga]." On the 17th
Schuyler's party " advanced to Chinandroga and two hours after met the Mo-
hauques, eighty in number ; after which we fell to making canoes, the Chris-
tians having broken two of theirs coming over the falls."
This is the first record of a war party going through Lake George.
On the 19th " advanced to Crowne Point, twenty miles." Here the Mo-
hawks presented Schuyler with a bundle of ninety-two sticks to indicate their
number; Ukewise the river Indians (Schaghticokes) sixty-six sticks. La Prairie
was reached August ist, where they met a body of mihtia. Schuyler's party were
cut off" from their boats, which they reached only by the most courageous and
impetuous fighting, with' a loss of twenty-one killed and twenty-five wounded.
Returning the party reached Albany on the 9th.
The Iroquois continued their incursions against the French and were, per-
haps, more dreaded by the latter than by the English. The French were pre-
vented from tilhng their lands, and a famine ensued, " the poor inhabitants,"
says Colden, " being forced to feed the soldiers gratis, while their own children
wanted bread." The French fur trade^ was also nearly ruined by the Iroquois,
who took possession of the passes between them and their western allies, and
cut off the traders. These terrible incursions by the Five Nations exasperated
Count de Frontenac to the last extremity. and he determined, if possible, to end
them. 2 He planned an expedition against the Mohawks to be undertaken in
midwinter of the year 1693. He collected a force of between six and seven
hundred French and Indians, secretly passed Lake Champlain on the ice, de-
scended into the Mohawk country and captured three of their castles, meeting
with resistance only in the last, and they retreated with about three hundred
prisoners. Major Peter Schuyler, ever the firm friend of the Mohawks, hastily
gathered a party of Albany militia and Indians to the number of five hundred
and started in pursuit. So prompt was their action that the fugitives were
closely pressed and suffered greatly for food, being compelled " to eat the
leather of their shoes." They escaped, however, with a loss of eighty killed
and thirty-three wounded.
lit is of interest to note the following prices which ruled in the Indian trade at Orange (Albany)
and Montreal in 1689 : —
The Indian Pays for At Orange, Montreal,
8 pounds of powder, One beaver Four beavers.
A gun, Two beavers Three beavers.
40 pounds lead, One beaver Four beavers.
Blanket of red cloth, One beaver Two beavers.
Four shirts, One beaver Two beavers.
Six pairs of stockings, One beaver Two beavers.
Six quarts of rum One beaver Six beavers.
It is a cheerful indication of the prevalent mode of dealing with the foolish natives, that while a
gun could be purchased by them for five beavers, it took six to buy a gallon and a half of rum.
2 June 6th, 1692, the Iroquois entered into a formal treaty of alliance and friendship with Major
Richard Ingoldsby, who assumed the gubernatorial office of New York on the death of Colonel Henry
Sloughter, in July, 1691. Ingoldsby was succeeded by Benjamin Fletcher in August, 1692.
The French and Indian War. 6i
After vain efforts to negotiate a peace with the Iroquois, Frontenac made
preparations for a still more formidable effort to coerce them into submission.
In the summer of 1695 he sent a strong force to repair and garrison Fort
Cadaraqui, which then took his name. On the 4th of July in the following
year he embarked from the south end of the island of Montreal, with all the
militia of the colony and a large body of Indians, for a destructive incursion
against the Onondagas. Although by far the most formidable invasion yet
made into the Iroquois country, it was almost fruitless in results, other than'
the destruction of villages and crops.
The treaty of Ryswick was concluded in September, 1697. While it estab-
lished peace between the French and English, it practically left unsettled the
status of the Iroquois. The French, while insisting on including their own
Indian allies in the terms of the treaty, were unwilling to include the Iroquois,
and made preparations to attack them with their whole force ; but the English
as strenuously insisted on extending the terms to their allies, and Earl Bello-
mont informed Count De Frontenac that he would resist any attack on the
Iroquois, with the entire force of his government, if necessary. This put an
end to French threats.
Peace being thus established (although the old rivalries continued without
open warfare), the Colonial Assembly of New York, in 1700, sought to per-
petuate it by the enactment of a stringent law imposing the death penalty upon
every Jesuit who voluntarily came into the province. At the same time the
English left nothing undone to strengthen and render enduring the friendship
between themselves and the Iroquois. Liberal presents were distributed among
the chiefs, and five of them were taken by Peter Schuyler to England, that they
might become impressed with the greatness and strength of the government
to which they were allied. But all this did not prevent the Indians from mak-
ing peace with the French, in September, 1700, and the ratification of the treaty
in 1701 ; and this, notwithstanding they had, less than a month previously,
conveyed to Great Britain their hunting grounds in which they had " subdued
the old inhabitants," lying " a thousand miles west of Niagara, all around the
lakes," in the following words: "We do give up and render all thatrland where the
Bevor Hunting is which we won in war eighty years agoe, to CORAGHKOE,
our Great King, and pray that he may be our Protector and Defender there."
With the accession of Anne to the throne of England, succeeding King
William in March, 1702, what is known as Queen Anne's War was soon in-
augurated ; it continued until the establishment of the treaty of Utrecht, April
iith, 1713. But New York fortunately escaped its consequences. ^
iThis treaty "secured the Protestant succession to the throne of England, the separation of the
French and Spanish crowns, the destruction of Dunkirk, the enlargement of the British colonies in
America, and a full satisfaction from France of the claims of the allies, England, Holland and Germany.
This treaty terminated Queen Anne's War, and secured peace for thirty years." . . . Fortunately
the Five Nations had made a treaty of neutrality (August 4th, 1701) with the French in Canada, and
thus became an impassable barrier against the savages from the St. Lawrence. — LossiNG.
62 History of Essex County.
The Iroquois were now debarred from continuing their incursions upon the
Northern and Western Indians, and their natural incHnations led them south-
ward, where they chastised their old enemies hving in Carolina. While upon
this expedition they adopted into their confederacy the Tuscaroras of North
Carolina, who became known as the Sixth Nation of the Iroquois. They were
assigned territory west of and near to the Oneidas.
CHAPTER VI.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY.
Relative Justice of French and English Claims — Renewed Hostilities by the French — Occupation
of Crown Point by the French — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — Continued Hostilities — Braddock's Ex-
peditions — The Movement against Crown Point — Ticonderoga — Arrival of Vandreuil and Dieskau —
Battle between Johnson and Dieskau — The English Victorious — French Retreat to Ticonderoga —
Building of Fort William Henry.
IT was during the peace that followed the treaty of Utrecht that what may
be termed permanent occupation of the Champlain valley was begun ; but
it cannot be traced farther back than 1731. It cannot be denied that at that
time the claims of England to this territory were based upon a much broader
foundation of justice than those of France, and both should have been, in some
degree, subject to the rights of the Iroquois as the " original proprietors."
These rights were subsequently defined by Sir William Johnson (1797) in the
following language: "The hereditary domains of the Mohawks extend from
near Albany to the Little Falls (Oneida boundary), and all the country from
thence eastward, etc., north to Rejiohne in Lake Champlain." Johnson again
refers to the matter, saying 'that " Regiohne, a rock on the east side of said
lake," bounds the claim of the Iroquois on the north. It appears that a dif-
ference of opinion exists among modern writers as to the location of this rock,
some of whom assume it to be Split Rock, in the present town of Essex ; but
Mr. Watson, after careful examination of the subject, unhesitatingly asserts
that it must have referred to what is known as Rock Dunder, which is situated
almost in " the track of the steamer as she approaches Burlington from the
south." He fortifies his position with the following apparently conclusive evi-
dence : " John Schuyler, in the journal of his expedition in 1691, writes : ' Ad-
vanced from the Crown Point toward Reggio, thirty miles distant.' Johnson
twice refers to it. David Schuyler, in a letter to the Earl of Bellomont, August
17th, 1700, states: 'The French guards [sent out from Canada, etc.,] met him
in a canoe, within the bounds of this government, at the Otter creek, eighteen
miles on this side of Reggio, the great rock, that is in Corlear lake.' These
The French and English Rivalry. 63
distances were probably mere estimates, but singularly approximate to accuracy.
The most conclusive evidence, however, is furnished by a French
map of Lake Champlain, ' prepared about the year 173 1, from divers memoirs,'
and copied into the documents relating to the Colonial History, Vol. IX, 1023.
Between 'the River Ouinouski ' (Onion) and 'River Aux Loutree ' (Otter
creek), directly opposite the position of Rock Dunder, there is inscribed on the
map, and upon the eastern shore of the lake, the word ' Rougio.' "
While the French were in possession of New France, their influence over
all the Indians within its limits was preponderant, and they even disputed with
the English the alliance of the latter with the Iroquois, though with but partial
and fragmentary success. But whatever may have been the foundation of
French claims to the territory of Canada, or even to a portion of the present
territory of New York, it can hardly be admitted that she could justly set up a
claim to any of the region within the boundaries just alluded to. To be sure,
four of the Iroquois nations concluded a treaty in 1665-66 with M. De Tracy,
by which they placed themselves under the protection of the French king ; but
the Mohawks were not a party to that treaty, although it is claimed that the
Oneida representatives acted for them, and continued and unsuccessful hostil-
ity on the part of the French against the Iroquois followed for years with brief
intervals.
On the other hand, although England acquired in the cession of New Neth-
erlands only the territory previously held by the Dutch, yet she secured the
firm and lasting alliance of the Mohawks, in whose domain the greater part of
the valley of Lake Champlain was situated ; while the original charter of Vir-
ginia carried her claims to the forty-fifth parallel, and later grants extended her
sovereignty to the St. Lawrence.
The treaty of Ryswick (1697) declared that the belligerents should return to
their possessions, as each occupied them at the beginning of hostilities, and
England put forth the unconditional claim that, at the period referred to in the
treaty, their Iroquois allies were in occupation by conquest of Montreal and
shores of the St. Lawrence. The French government at that time seems to
have acknowledged that the Iroquois were embraced in the treaty. Thus the
two European powers wrangled over the beautiful valley which was but a little
while before the undisputed dominion of the Iroquois. When France disputed
the claims of England and appealed to the council at Onondaga, the stern,
savage orator exclaimed : " We have ceded our lands to no one ; we hold them
of heaven alone." ^
Whether so much importance should attach to treaties in which these untu-
tored savages were pitted against the intelligent Europeans, either French or
English, as has often been ascribed to them, is questionable ; especially when
we consider the methods often adopted in later _ years to induce the Indians to
1 Bancroft.
64
History of Essex County.
sign away their domain. Be this as it may, it is now generally beliet'ed
that the intrusion of France upon the domains of the Mohawks on Lake
Champlain, " at the sacrifice of so much blood and treasure, justice and the
restraints and faith of treaties, were subordinated to the lust of power and
expediency." 1
In 1 73 1, the date assumed as marking the permanent occupation of the
Champlain valley by civilized people, an unbroken wilderness extended on
both sides of the lake from the settlements on the Hudson to the Canadian
hamlets. It was unpenetrated except by possible Indian pathways ; the waters
of the lake, or its ice-covered surface in winter, was the only highway between
the two regions. But English settlement had, undoubtedly, made considera-
ble advancement in the direction of the Champlain valley previous to that
date.
Crown Point, already known by its present name,^ was, as early as 1690,
looked upon by the English, and doubtless also by the French, as a position
of importance. The common council of Albany, instructing their scouting
party of that year, directed them to proceed " to Crown Point, where you
shall remain and keep good watch by night and day." The historian, Lossing,
designates it as an important trading station between the English and Indians
prior to 173 1, when the French took possession of it. Certain it is, and enough
has already been written to prove it beyond a doubt, that no plan of invasion
and attack, either by the English or French, could promise success at that time,
unless it was made over the waters of Lake Champlain ; and it may be added
the government in possession of that avenue, with Crown Point and Ticon-
deroga as points of defense, could rest in comparative security against assaults
from the other.
These were the considerations which must have impelled the French, in
violation of treaties and in a time of profound peace (1731), to suddenly ascend
the lake to the locality now called Chimney Point, which they seized by mili-
1 Watson.
2 "The French name of Crown Point (Fort St. Frederic) is derived from the French secretary of
State, Frederic Maurepas, in whose hands the direction and management of the Court of Admiralty
was at the time of its erection. It is to be observed that the government of Canada is subject to the
Court of Admiralty, and the governor-general is always chosen by this court. As most of the places
in Canada bear the name of Saints, custom has made it necessary to prefix the word to the name of
this fortress. It is built on a rock consisting of black lime slates as aforesaid. It is nearly quadran-
gular, has high, thick walls made of the same limestone, of which there is a quarry about half a mile
distant. On the eastern part of the fort is a high tower, which is proof against bombshells, and is well
served with cannon from the bottom almost to the very top, and the^governor, Mr. Lusignan, lives in the
tower. In the terreplein is a well-built little church, and houses of stone, for the officers and soldiers.
There are sharp rocks on all sides toward the land, beyond a cannon shot from the fort, but among
them are some which are as high as the walls of the fort, and very near them." For this excellent
description of the French fort we are indebted to the writings of that very intelligent observer, Kalm,
whose travels in 1748 were published. The fort was then armed about as follows : two iron cannon,
six-pounders ; seventeen iron cannon, four-pounders ; twenty-three cannon, brass, two-pounders ; one
iron cannon, two-pounder ; one mortar ; eighteen iron swivels ; twenty-five iron shells. A strong
armament at that period, but one that would make but a sorry defense in modern times.
The French and English Rivalry. 65
tary force, and immediately afterward occupied Crown Point itself ^ This
movement startled New York and New England. The assembly of the former
resolved that " this encroachment, if not prevented, would prove of the most
pernicious consequence to this and other colonies." They sent notice of the
encroachment to Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and applied to
the board of trade and plantations for aid. While that body would have
granted the request, Robert Walpole counseled peace.
Thirty men, only, formed the first French garrison at Crown Point, and
Beauharnois was instructed to build a simple stockaded fort, " until a stronger
one could be constructed. "^ The French, upon their occupation of Crown
Point, seem to have anticipated the apathy of the English that actually followed.
Three years later Beauharnois informed his government that he was " prepar-
ing to complete " his incipient fortifications. As late as 1747 it had not at-
tained such strength or proportions as to induce the belief that it could not
have been recaptured, and the garrison with it, at any time since its occupation,
by the efforts of any one of the English colonies, had England seen-fit to
sanction the movement. An emissary of Governor Clinton ^ thus describes
the works as they appeared in 1750, when it seems to have been considerably
strengthened : " The fort is built of stone, the walls of considerable" height and
thickness, and has twenty pieces of cannon and swivels mounted on the ram-
parts and bastions. I observed the walls cracked from top to bottom in several
places. At the entrance of the fort is a dry ditch eighteen feet square, and a
draw bridge. There is a subterranean passage to the lake. The citadel is a
stout building square in shape, four stories high, each turned with arches,
mounts twenty pieces of cannon and swivels, the largest six-pounders. The
walls of the citadel are about ten feet thick. At the entrance is a draw bridge
and ditch." Such was the work, called by them Fort St. Frederic, which the
French were permitted to build within the recognized possessions of the Iro-
quois, which was, by the treaty of Utrecht, guaranteed to remain " inviolate
by any occupation or encroachment of France."
lln the language of Mr. Watson, "this action of France was the movement of no inconsiderate
impulse, but the suggestion of a deliberate and matured policy In 1737 Beauharnois
(governor of Nevif France from 1726 to 1746) was directed to survey Lake Champlain with the purpose
of introducing an armed sloop upon its waters. The views of France in reference to the importance
of securing the control of Lake Champlain were neither peculiar nor unfounded. The secret councils
of the colonial governments of England were constantly directed to the attainment of thi same great
object. A military post which commanded the lake must necessarily control the large and lucrative
fur trade that sought through its waters a transit between Chambly and Albany. It was the purpose
of France to anticipate and defeat the designs of England for the occupation of Crown Point."
2 Louis XIV to Beauharnois and Hocquart. — Doc. History.
3 George Clinton was appointed governor of th:; colony of New York in September, 1743, and re-
tained the office ten years. His administration was a tumultuous one, chiefly on account of his tem-
perament and want of experience in the management of civil affairs. In his controversies with the as-
sembly he was ably assisted by the pen of Dr. Cadwallader Golden, afterwards lieutenant-governor.
Clinton died in July, 1 761. _.. ,
5
66 History of Essex County.
To protect Canada from incursions by the Iroquois was the ostensible rea-
son advanced by France for erecting the fortress at Crown Point. That there
was a deeper purpose is too palpable to need demonstration. So ignorant, or
indifferent, or both together, was the English government to the real situation
and its importance, that the lords of trade, as early as December, 1738, con-
fessed to Governor Clinton ignorance of the location even of French fortifica-
tions on Lake Champlain. When, soon after, the attention of the French gov-
ernment was called to the vio-lation of the treaty of Utrecht, the response was
a denial of " all knowledge of the projected establishment," and the unavailing
assurance that an inquiry on the subject would be made. Meanwhile France,
in pursuit of its early policy, was consummating the establishment of trading-
posts from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Long previous to the date last mentioned, France had authorized the issue
of land grants in Canada. Assuming authority over the Champlain valley,
also, the government of Canada had caused a survey to be made of the lake
and its shores in the year succeeding the occupation of Crown Point. Relative
to this survey and succeeding grants, Mr. Watson says : " Many of the names
of the headlands, islands and other topographical features of the lake which
are still perpetuated, are derived from that survey. In their descriptive force
and beauty they almost rival the euphony and appropriateness of the Indian
nomenclature. A map and chart based upon that survey was published at
Montreal in 1748, and has not been surpassed by any subsequently made, in
its scientific aspect or minuteness and accuracy. Extensive grants under an
ordinance of 1676, upon both sides of the lake, are delineated upon that map.
A seigniory was granted to the Sieur Robart, the royal storekeeper at Montreal,
in June, 1737. This grant, which seems to have been the only one issued for
land within the limits of Essex county, embraced ' three leagues in front by
two leagues in depth,' on the west side of Lake Champlain, taking, in going
down, one league below the river Boquet, and in going up, two leagues and a
half above that river. These boundaries comprehend all of the present town of
Essex and a large proportion of Willsborough. The tract was soon after form
ally laid out and allotted by an official surveyor. We have no evidence that
any permanent and actual occupation was formed under these grants. Kalm,
who visited the region before 1748, asserts that few colonies, and these only in
the vicinity of the fortresses, were formed by the French during their occupa-
tion. The atithority from whom I have already given extracts states that in
1750, 'fourteen farms were occupied in the vicinity of Crown Point, and great
encouragement given by the king for that purpose,' and that ' other colonists-
were approaching.'! -pj^g journal of Rogers contains repeated reference to
villages adjacent to Fort St. Frederic and situated upon both sides of the lake."
In March, 1744, war was declared between England and France and
'^ Documentary History, VI, 582.
The French and English Rivalry. 6^
measures were taken for the conquest of the French possessions. The colonies
of New York and New England united in an expedition to co-operate with a
fleet under Commodore Warren for an attack on the fortress at Louisburg,
which capitulated in June, 1745. But the country northward from Albany
was continually harassed by attacks and incursions from the Indians and
French, detachments for which were sent out from Crown Point and elsewhere.
Saratoga was attacked late in the fall of 1745 by an expedition of five hundred
French and Indians, with a few disaffected Iroquois warriors, under Marin, an
intrepid French officer, and utterly devastated. This was followed by an at-
tack on the viUage of Hoosick, the fortress at which place was compelled to
surrender, leaving the settlements all the way to Albany open to the enemy.
More than twenty other minor expeditions were fitted out by the French
at Montreal, to take the line of march for Fort St. Frederic and fall upon the
English settlements and burn, pillage and slaughter. It is little wonder, there-
fore, that the inhabitants of New York viewed this fortress as a standing and
constant menace and the key to French success in these expeditions. The
following memoranda will give an idea of the character of many of these ma-
rauding parties and the consequences of their incursions : —
"March 29, 1746. A party set out, consisting of fourteen Indians . . .
who have been in the country near Albany, and returned with some prisoners
and scalps.
" 26th (April). A party of thirty-five warriors belonging to the Soult set
out. They have been in the neighborhood of Orange (Albany), have made
some prisoners and taken some scalps.
" 27th. A party set out consisting of six warriors, who struck a blow in
the neighborhood of Albany.
" May 7. Six Nepissings started to strike a blot near Boston and returned
with some scalps.
" loth. Gatienonde, an Iroquois, who had been settled at the lake for two
or three years, left with five Indians of that village and Lieutenant St. Blein, to
strike a blow near Orange. They brought in one prisoner. The leader was
killed.
" 1 2th. Ten Indians of the Soult set out towards Boston and returned with
some scalps.
" 22d. Nineteen warriors of the Soult St. Louis have been equipped.
They have been made to strike a blow in the direction of Albany.
" 24th. A party of eight Abenakis has been fitted out, who have been in
the direction of Corlac (Schenectady) and have returned with some prisoners
and scalps.
" 27th, Equipped a party of eight warriors of Soult, who struck a blow
near Albany, and brought back six scalps.
" 28th. A party of twelve Nepissings made an attack in the neighborhood
68 History of Essex County.
of Boston, and brought away four scalps and one prisbner, whom they killed
on the road, as he became furious and refused to march.
" A party of Abenakis struck a blow near Albany and Corlac, and returned
with some scalps.
" June 2. Equipped twenty- five warriors, who returned from the neigh-
borhood of Albany with some scalps.
" 3d. Equipped a party of eighteen Nepissings, who struck a blow at
Albany and Corlac.
" 19th. Equipped a party of twenty-five Indians of the Soult, who struck
a blow near Orange. One or two of these Indians were wounded. They
brought away some scalps.
" 20th. Equipped a party of nineteen warriors of the Soult, who went to
Orange to strike a blow.
" 2 1 St. Equipped a party of twenty-seven of the same village to go to Al-
bany. Sieur de Carquiville, an officer, was of the party, which has brought
in a prisoner that was on the scout to Saristeau (Saraghtoga), and some scalps.
" August 1 0th. Chevalier de Repentigny arrived at Quebec and reported
that he had made an attack near Corlac and took eleven prisoners and twenty-
five scalps."
And so on through the terrible recital. A few words briefly describes one
of these numerous incursions ; but who can imagine the summed-up horrors
of a summer filled with such scenes ! And the English seemed almost pow-
erless against the enemy, — wily, swift, blood-thirsty as they were, and with a
knowledge of every forest-path and point of vantage. Colonel Johnson sent
out two parties against the French and their allies on the 4th of August, who
made an attack on Chambly ; but after they had considerably damaged the
enemy they were drawn into an ambush and most of them killed or captured.
On the 19th he wrote Governor Clinton that one of the parties, on their re-
turn, had reported that they lay two days in sight of the enemy on Lake St.
Sacrament, who, to the number of between five and six hundred, were en-
camped on an island (Long Island).
This was doubtless a part of the force under command of Vaudreuil, a part
of whose command, under La Corne, had been engaged in the affair at Sar-
aghtoga. His headquarters were at South Bay. His orders were to protect
Fort St. Frederic, which he could do only by having part of his force at the
latter place and part on Lake St. Sacrament.^
On the 28th of August Johnson writes that he is about setting off for
Lake St. Sacrament with four hundred Christian volunteers, and as many
more Indians, and expected to be absent for twelve days. " It is possible they
took the short route via Fish House and Luzerne to the lake."^
But measures were now taken to place the frontier in a state of defense.
1 Docninentary History. 2 BuTLER.
The French and English Rivalry. 69
The colonists were burning for revenge, and they were led to hope for ade-
quate assistance from England. The government finally resolved upon an
expedition against Canada in 1746, and the colonies entered into the project
with zeal. New York raised sixteen hundred men for the forces directed
against Crown Point and Montreal ; but with its usual apathy and misunder-
standing of the situation, England failed to furnish promised assistance and
the expedition was a failure.
On the 9th of December, 1746, Governor Clinton reported that he had
been able to raise twenty companies in all for the proposed expedition against
Crown Point th,e next year. In the fall of 1747 Fort Clinton at Saraghtoga
was burned and the guns and stores removed by order of Governor Clinton.
The reason given for this action was that the assembly did not furnish requisite
troops and supplies to defend it against the French and Indians.
The contest between 1744 and 1748 had, as one object, the possession of
the Mississippi valley, which the English claimed as an extension of their coast
discoveries and settlements, and the French, by right of occupancy, their forts
already extending from Canada to Louisiana, and forming " a bow, of which
the English colonies were the string." At this latter date the English colo-
nies contained over a million inhabitants, while the French had only about
sixty thousand. The Iroquois would not engage in this strife until 1746 ; and
they were disappointed at its sudden termination, having compromised them-
selves with their old enemies, the allies of the French, now more numerous
and dangerous than formerly. The old question of Iroquois supremacy was,
therefore, renewed in a more aggravated form.
In April, 1748, was concluded the ineffective, if not actually disgraceful,
treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ; while it was a virtual renewal of the treaties of
Ryswick and Utrecht, it left unsettled the questions above alluded to, with
others of importance to the colonies, and the fortresses of Louisburg and
Crown Point were given to the French without a protest.
Opposed and embarrassed by political factions, Governor Clinton resigned
his office in October, 1753, and was succeeded by Sir Danvers Osborne. The
same distractions and the loss of his wife threw the latter official into a state of
melancholia and he committed suicide. He was succeeded by James De Lan-
cey, the lieutenant-governor. When the assembly met in the spring of 1754
the Governor in his message called their attention to the recent encroachments
of the French and to a request by Virginia for aid. The assembly voted a
thousand pounds and to bear its share in erecting forts along the frontier. By
victories in western Pennsylvania in 1754 the French were left in undisputed
possession of the entire region west of the AUeghanies. The necessity for
concerted' action by the English colonies was now too apparent to be over-
looked ; but the old sectional differences tended to prevent harmonious action.
The Iroquois were also becoming, to some extent, alienated from the English,
70 History of Essex County.
whose apathy and failures they did not relish. The English ministry had
therefore advised a convention of delegates from all the colonial assemblies in
an effort to secure the continued alliance of the Six Nations. This convention
was held in Albany in June, 17S4. Governor De Lancey was president, and
he opened the proceedings with a speech to the IndlaYi chiefs who were pres-
ent. A treaty was renewed and the Indians left apparently satisfied. ^
The final speech of Hendrick, the famous Mohawk chief, closed as follows :
" Brethren, we put you in mind, from our former speech, of the defenseless
state of your frontiers, particularly of this city of Schenectady, and of the
country of the Five Nations. You told us yesterday you were consulting
about securing both. We beg you will resolve upon something speedily. You
are not safe from danger one day. The French have their hatchet in their
hands both at Ohio and in two places in New England. We don't know but
this very night they may attack us. Since Colonel Johnson has been in this
city there has been a French Indian at his house, who took measure of the
wall around it, and made very narrow observations on everything thereabouts.
We think Colonel Johnson in very great danger, because the French will take
more than ordinary pains to kill him or take him prisoner, both on account of
his great interest among us and because he is one of our sachems.
" Brethren, there is an affair about which our hearts tremble and our minds
are deeply concerned. We refer to the selling of rum in our castles. It de-
stroys many, both of our old and young people. We are in great fear about
this rum. It may cause murder on both sides. We, the Mohawks of both
castles, request that the people who are settled around about us may not be
suffered to sell our people rum. It keeps them all poor, and makes them idle
and wicked. If they have any money or goods they lay all out in rum. It
destroys virtue and the progress of religion among us.
The governor promised satisfaction to this pathetic appeal, of course, gave
the Indians thirty wagon-loads of presents, and the civilized inhabitants went
on selling their gallons of rum for beaver skins. And the Indians have often
been cursed for their intemperance.
Meanwhile, at the suggestion of the Massachusetts delegates to this con-
vention, a plan for the union of the colonies was taken into consideration. The
suggestion was favorably received and a committee of one from each colony
was appointed to draw plans for the purpose. Then, the fertile mind of Ben-
1 " It was on this occasion that the venerable Hendrik, the great Mohawk chieftain, pronounced one
of those thrilling and eloquent speeches that marked the nobler times of the Iroquois. It excited the
wonder and admiration of those who listened, and commanded the highest encomiums wherever it was
read. In burning words he contrasted the supineness and imbecility of the English with the energies
of the French policy. His hoary head and majestic bearing attached dignity and force to his utter-
ances. 'We,' he exclaimed, ' would have gone and taken Crown Point, but you hindered us.' He
closed his phiUippic with this overwhelming rebuke : ' Look at the French, they are men. They are
fortifying everywhere. But you, and we are ashamed to say it, you are like women-bare and open
without any fortifications.' "
The French and English Rivalry. 71
jamin Franklin having already conceived the necessity of union and harmony,
produced a plan which he had already prepared and which was adopted. It
was the forerunner of our Constitution ; but the assemblies rejected it, deem-
ing that it encroached on their liberties, while the ministry rejected it as grant-
ing too much power to the people.
Thotigh England and France were now nominally at peace, the frontier
was still distressingly harassed by hordes of Indians let loose by the French, and
the colonists continued their appeals to the ministry. While the latter were
hesitating, the Duke of Cumberland, then captain-general of the British armies,
sent over early in 1755 General Edward Braddock, with a detachment from
the army in Ireland. He soon afterward met the colonial governors at Alex-
andria and measures were devised for the protection of the colonies.
For this purpose four expeditions were planned by General Braddock (i/SS)
— the first to effect the reduction of Nova Scotia; the second to recover the
Ohio valley ; the third to expel the French from Fort Niagara and then form
a junction with the Ohio expedition, and the fourth to capture Crown Point.
The first of these expeditions was entirely successful ; the second, under com-
mand of Braddock himself, was, chiefly through his folly, disastrous in the ex-
treme. He failed to send out scouts, as repeatedly counseled by Washington,
and when within a few miles of Fort Du Quesne, the army was surprised by the
lurking foe and only saved from destruction by Washington, who, upon the
fall of Braddock, assumed command and conducted the retreat. The expedi-
tion against Fort Niagara was also unsuccessful. It was commanded by Gen-
eral Shirley, governor of Massachusetts, and many of his force deserted upon
hearing of Braddock's defeat. Leaving a garrison at Oswego, he led the re-
mainder of his army to Albany and returned to Massachusetts.
The army gathered for the capture of Crown Point was assembled at Al-
bany and the command entrusted to Colonel William Johnson. It comprised
the mihtia and volunteers from New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and
Connecticut. They came together fired with zeal and enthusiasm born of the
conviction that theywere to fight for the safety of their firesides.
" His army, fresh from the plow and the workshop, save a few who had been
engaged at the siege of Louisburg, were novices in the arts and services of war.
The provincials, clothed in the home-spun garments woven by wives and moth-
ers, armed only with their own rifles and fowling-pieces, without bayonets, but
animated by the noblest impulses of patriotism and courage, and inspired by a
fervid religious enthusiasm, which kindled the faith that they were battling in
defense of the altars of Protestantism and for the subversion of idolatry. While
the preparations were in active, but to their impatient ardor, slow progress, they
were restive and impatient for the advance. On the Sabbath, in obedience to
their Puritan habits, they assembled to unite in prayer and to ' listen to the word,'
while their swarthy allies gravely hear the interpretation of a long sermon." ^
1 Watson.
72 History of Essex County.
The French were not idle and already their attention, or that of their engi- ■
neers, was drawn to the bold and rocky cliffs at the confluence of Lake George
(known to the French as Lake St. Sacrament)! and Lake Champlain, as an ex-
cellent military stronghold. In the summer of 1755, Du Quesne advised the
construction of works' at that point. The selection of the site and the con-
struction of the works was confined to Lotbiniere, an engineer of the province.
The original fort (which was still unfinished a year later) "was a square fort
with four bastions, and built of earth and timber." 1 In the same year Johnson
mentions Ticonderoga as an important but unoccupied position. Such was the
inception of Fort Carillon,^ about which was to center so much of military con-
flict and heroism. It is not now known just when the imposing stone battle-
ments were erected, whose picturesque ruins inform the beholder of to-day of
their original strength. In the year 1758 the French were energetically en-
gaged in extending and strengthening the fortress ; at that time Crown Point,
on account of its less favorable position and the falling walls of Fort St. Fred-
eric, became of secondary importance to them.
When the news of Braddock's movements reached France, a fleet bearing
six battalions of regulars was dispatched to the aid of the troops in Canada.
With it came also Vaudreuil, governor- general of New France (the last one),
and Baron de Dieskau as commander-in-chief of the colonial armies. The
latter laid his plans for the immediate capture of Oswego, when the governor-
general received the startling intelligence of Johnson's movement towards Ti-
conderoga and Crown Point. Dieskau was, therefore, hurried to the defense
of Lake Champlain.
Dieskau was armed with explicit written instructions from Vaudreuil to ad-
vance in force upon Crown Point and not to attack the English entrenchments
except after ^cautious reconnaisance. These instructions were violated by the
able commander, but under such circumstances as rendered the act justifiable.
He had been informed by his spies that Johnson lay in an unfortified camp on
Lake George, short of supplies, and that 900 militia were encamped near Fort
Edward, protected merely by unfinished palisades. It was this intelligence
that caused Dieskau to change the plans of the campaign and determine upon
a coup de main instead of a regular assault or investment. Had Dieskau's army
been composed of the drilled veterans over which he had been accustomed to
command, his campaign, planned with skill and carried on with vigor and
bravery, would undoubtedly have resulted differently. As it was, failure could
scarcely be avoided. ^ On the 4th of September, 1755, Dieskau proceeded up
'^Documentary x, 414.
2 Mr. Watson says the name " Carillon seems to bear the same signification as the Indian name,
'The-Onderoga,' the original of Ticonderoga, meaning noise-chimes, in allusion, doubtless, to the
brawling waters.''
3 In the anguish of defeat and wounds he exclaimed after the conflict : "These, then, are the troops
which have been so crowed up to me."
The French and English Rivalry. 73
Wood creek and through the, shallow waters of South Bay, leaving 120 men
to guard his bateaux, and had advanced a three days' march through the
woods, intending to attack the militia at Fort Edward on the morning of the
fourth day ; this accomplished, it was his purpose to march rapidly against
Johnson, cut off .his communications and destroy his force by impetuous attack.
But his guides, either ignorant or treacherous, misled him, and at daylight the
French commander found himself several miles on the way towards the Eng-
lish camp on Lake George. The Indians, having heard rumors of artillery at
Fort Edward, refused to join in an assault upon it, asserting as an excuse that
the land at that place belonged to England ; but they were ready to attack
Johnson, 1 and Dieskau immediately changed his course ; at this juncture he
received intelligence of the approach of a large detachment advancing on the
road he then occupied, for the relief of Fort Edward.
When informed of the advance of Dieskau upon Fort Edward, Johnson
called a council of officers, in which the aged Mohawk chieftain was conspicu-
ous. Different plans were discussed and one finally adopted. When it was
proposed to «end a small body of the troops, the old Indian remarked: "If
they are to fight they are too few ; if they are to be killed they are too many."
And when it was suggested that the force be divided into three detachments,
he picked up three sticks and said : " Put these together and you can't break
them; take them up one by one and you may easily break them." It was
finally decided to send Colonel Ephraim Williams with 1,000 troops, and
Hendrick with 200 Mohawks to the relief of Fort George. Hendrick led the
force on horseback.^
The military genius of Dieskau had provided for this expected advance.
He placed his forces on the road about three miles from Johnson's camp, in a
defile, and arranged them as a cul de sac, with the front open and toward the
advancing enemy. The Canadians were on the right ; the Indians on the left
and the regulars at the extremity, the two former being strictl}' ordered to not
fire a gun until the French had fired. Into the midst of this invisible foe Will-
iams 3 entered. At this moment, when the French commander confidently
1 Dieskau's original plan is thus commented upon favorably by Johnson himself in his letter to Sir
Charles Hardy: " Happily for us he complied (with the proposition of the Indians), for he would have
found our troops separately encamped out of the works and no cannon there, and his victory would
have probably been a very cheap one, and made way for another here." — Documentary History.
2 It was while upon this expedition that Johnson gave to Lake George its present name. His
troops reached the lake on the 28th of August, and encamped on its border to the westward of Fort
George, their flank being protected by a thickly wooded swamp, "where," as Johnson wrote, "no
house was ever built, nor a rod of land cleared ; and the lake which the French call .S"^. Sacrament, I
have given the name of Lake George, not only in honor of his majesty, but to assert his undoubted
dominion here."
3 Williams, who a few days before, by a will executed at Albany, created the foundation of an in-
stitution (Williams College, Massachusetts), which, a memorial of his love of science, still preserves
his name, was inspired by the earnest and heroic spirit of his province, was a gallant soldier, but un-
tutored, except in trifling Indian warfare, by any military experience. He advanced precipitately, but
with little soldierly circumspection. — • Watson.
74 History of Essex County.
foresaw the destruction of the entire force of the enemy, a spark of the old fra-
ternal spirit of the Iroquois league blazed forth and thwarted his plans, well
laid though they were ; in Dieskau's force were a party of Senecas, the western
tribe of the Iroquois, whose fidelity he had already distrusted. The moment
they saw their brethren of the Mohawks, they fired their guns into the air, thus
disclosing the ambush. But this event came too late to save the American
force from the consequences of their rashness, and they suffered from a terrible
fire that was poured upon them. Williams mounted a rock in an exposed po-
sition (the same rock that now forms the base of his monument) and was killed
early in the action. Hendrick also fell at about the same time, and a disas-
trous retreat ensued. But the troops were soon rallied by Lieutenant-Colonel
Whiting and fought valorously. Meanwhile, Johnson, hearing the sounds of
battle, sent reinforcements to the number of 300, under Colonel Cole, and un-
der their cover the retreat was continued in good order.
The impetuous Dieskau, whose motto was, "Boldness wins," did not stop
to reconnoitre, but started at the head of the French and Indians in rapid pur-
suit of the retreating English. He hoped to thus enter and capture an unfor-
tified camp. But Johnson and his skillful woodsmen from New England had
not been idle. Trees were felled and hasty breastworks constructed, behind
which a few cannon, that were hurried from the lake, were placed. When the
Indians heard the roar of these guns, they again thwarted. Dieskau's designs by
" stopping short," and he also soon saw the Canadians " scattering right and
left."i
This defection forced Dieskau to make a brief halt near the works, which
was of great advantage to his enemy. The second struggle of the battle now
waged hotter than before and continued for more than four hours — the bloodi-
est and most obstinately contested the New World had yet witnessed. A vig-
orous assault on the center by Dieskau's regulars, was " thrown into disorder
by the warm and constant fire of the artillery and colonial trpops." He then
assailed the left, was again repulsed and in a last desperate effort hurled his
decimated force upon the right ; but in vain ; only a bloody repulse awaited
him. The French regulars fought with great heroism, but were unequal to
their undertaking. The Canadians and Indians were of but little assistance and
" were dispersed by a few shots thrown into their midst."
The French general was wounded and disabled, but bravely refused to be
carried from the field, and ordered his subordinate, Montrueil, to assume the
command and make the best retreat possible. Two Canadians came to the
relief of Dieskau, but one of them was shot and fell directly across the legs of
the general, " to his great embarrassment," as he expressed it. While sup-
porting himself against a tree, amid a hail of bullets, a refugee Frenchman
came upon him and fired a bullet through both his hips, causing a wound
1 Documentary History.
First Estgagement
■f77ie Hood . £ Trench A Induats.
Jffendrich- an. Barsebtu^. -f-JPhtvincials.
S Afoha-H'k.s.
^Tlan. of
Tort
•W311i»™.E«iiEj-
DiESKAu's First Engagement.
From Butler's ** Lake George and Lake ChavtplatH,
tr^^5^^^Zt^:Zt5ZX r ^'^"'- ~ '■ ^'f"* '■'=«"'^" attacking the center. - 8. The road. - 9. Provincials in action posted in (rant. -» J
trees felled for the breastworks. -II Cannon.-i2. A cannon posted "advantageously" on the eminence.- 13. Place where Dieskau fell. - 14, 'J 1^
wa^onf ^''^;7, ;7 wT=,'„H ' '*"" °;"''^"- - 'I, ^='="'"- r J?- i^°°'^» ^"<' ™^™P=- - '9- Mbrass. -20.' Cannon defendblthe flank. -?.. M
7.^?^7r.-lV3'Z*; and ammunition. -25. Mortars -26. Road to the Lake. -27, 28, 29. Storehouse. -30. Mohawks. -31. Gen, Johnson's S
-S^^fficcR. °'"^^'''~^''' ^o'-CockrofL-as. Col. Williams. -36. Col. Ruggles. - 37. Col. Titcomb. - 38. Col G.»ii
DiESKAU's Second Engagement.
From Butler's "Lake George and Lake Champlain."
The 'French and English Rivalry. 75
■which resulted in his death twelve years later. He was left by his king to
suffer as a prisoner, neglected by his country, until the peace of 1763.
The French army was now broken and scattered, and a routed party of
-about three hundred were encountered by a body of provincials under
McGinnis, of New Hampshire (who was killed in the action), and Folsom, of
New York. The Frenchmen were put to flight in such confusion that all their
l^aggage and ammunition was left behind for the victors.
The losses were about equal on both sides, amounting to four hundred and
fifty of the French, and something less by the English and Mohawks. Decisive
victory rested with neither. The British were prevented for the time from the
conquest of Lake Champlain, an object of no small advantage to the French.
But the colonists achieved an actual triumph of arms which, following closely
upon the disasters of Braddock, filled the land with rejoicing. The French
and Canadians were taught that in the New England colonies was growing an
element of military strength and heroism that could not be lightly encountered
- — an element that in later days was to win freedom for the country. ^
Johnson was wounded early in the battle, and the command was turned
over to General Lyman, of Massachusetts. His enthusiastic soldiers and the
impetuous Mohawks would have pursued the fleeing French and Canadians,
but Johnson, either through over-cautiousness or timidity, restrained them,
and the French coijtinued their retreat, unmolested, to Carillon. A vigorous
prosecution of the campaign as originally planned was urged by the people of
the colonies. The French were partially paralyzed by defeat ; the walls of St.
Frederic crumbling and the fortress at Ticonderoga was still unfinished ; but
Johnson neglected what was undoubtedly his grea,t opportunity and spent the
season in erecting Fort William Henry at the head of Lake George ; the Mo-
hawks returned to their homes.^
1 Dieskau appears not to have been adapted by temperament or manners to conciliate tlie attach-
ment or to command the confidence of his savage allies. Instead of indulging in familiar intercourse
and yielding to their habits and peculiarities, he maintained with them — and equally with his slibordi-
nates and the Canadians, the stately German style of seclusion and exclusiveness. This course de-
stroyed the influence and devotion, which could only be exerted over their rude and Capricious nature,
by controlling their impulses and affections. — Watso.n'.
2 Johnson's conduct seems not to have been either just or magnanimous. He ascribed all the glory
of the event to himself; Lyman was not named in his report and but slight mention made of other
officers. Yet Johnson was rewarded with a baronetcy, made superintendent of Indian affairs, with a
grant of five thousand pounds, which was wrung from the pittance allowed the colonies for their burdens.
^6 History of Essex County*
CHAPTER Vn.
FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR.
Plans of the Campaign — Apathy and Indecision of the English — Brilliant Deeds of the Rangers
— Arrival of Montcalm — Oswego Captured — Preparation for Attacking Crown Point and Ticonderoga
— Campaign of 1757 — Marin's Operations — Montcalm's Plans to Capture Fort William Henry —
Council with the Indians — De Levis's March — Situation of the Fort — Webb's Pusillanimous Con-
duct— Fall of the Fort — Indian Atrocity upon the Garrisons — Montcalm's Responsibility — The Sit-
uation at the End of the Campaign.
STRANGE as it may appear, after the hostilities above described, it was not
until the following summer that a formal declaration of war was proclaimed
between England and France. In the year 1756 another force was organized
for an attack upon Crown Point. Sir Charles Hardy, who arrived as governor
of New York, in September, 1755, had delegated most of his civil duties to
De Lancey, and in 1757 resigned. The campaign of 1756, as planned, com-
prised movements against Fort Niagara with six thousand men, Fort Du
Quesne with three thousand and Crown Point with ten thousand, while two
thousand were to advance on the French settlements on the Chaudiere and to
Quebec — a campaign of sufficient magnitude, surely. The population of the
Province of New York was then 96,775. The expedition against Crown Point
was entrusted to General John Winslow, who built a stockade at Stillwater,
which was known as Fort Winslow ; but lacking confidence in the number of
his force, he awaited reinforcements from England. Lord Loudoun had re-
cently been appointed commander-in-chief and governor of Virginia, with
General Abercrombie second in command. Late in June the latter arrived
with troops to reinforce General Winslow, but he at once blighted all prospects
of success in the field by placing regular officers above the provincial officers
of equal rank. Many men deserted and officers threatened to relinquish their
comm'issions. This difficulty was finally adjusted by an agreement that the
regulars should be assigned to garrison duty, the provincials to take the field.
Winslow advanced to Fort Edward and Lake George, but through the dissen-
sions, incapacity and apathetic indecision of the English commanders, little was
accomplished of an offensive character against the French during the year,
other than the often brilliant exploits of the American rangers, commanded by
Rogers, Stark and others. In the language of Mr. Watson, " Rogers, the gal-
lant ranger, was particularly conspicuous in these wild and daring adventures.
Sometimes stealing under the cover of night by the forts in canoes, he lay in
ambush far down the lake, surprised and captured boats laded with supplies,
which, unsuspicious of danger, were proceeding to relieve the garrisons. Fre-
quently he approached the forts by land, and prowling about them with In-
dian skill and patience, until he ascertained the intelligence he was ordered to
The French and English War. tj
collect, he captured prisoners, shot down stragglers, burnt dwellings, and
slaughtered cattle feeding around the works, and then defying pursuit, retreated
in safety. In one of these bold' incursions, which signalized the opening of
the next year, Rogers and Stark had penetrated with a force of less than
eighty men, to a point between the French fortresses, near the mouth of a
stream, since known as Putnam's creek, and there in ambush awaited their
victims. A party of French are passing in gay and joyous security on the ice
toward Ticonderoga. Part are taken, the rest escape and alarm the garrison.
The rangers attempt to escape, pressing rapidly along the snow path, in Indian
file, as was their custom, but on ascending the crest of a hill they receive the
the fire of an overwhelming force, posted with every advantage to receive them.
A fierce and bloody conflict ensued, protracted from near meridian until even-
ing. The rangers, -retreating to a hill, are protected by the covert of the trees
and there gallantly sustain the unequal conflict. Rogers, twice wounded, yields
the command of the little band to Stark, who, with infinite skill and courage,
guides the battle, repulses the foe with a loss far exceeding his entire force, and
at night conducts a successful retreat to Lake George. . . . This cour-
ageous band,' reduced to forty-eight effective men, with their prisoners, effected
a retreat to Fort William Henry in safety."
A similar brilliant movement was attempted in the ensuing February by the
French and Canadians to the number of fifteen hundred, led by Vaudreuil.
They traversed the ice and snow of Lakes Champlain and George, more than
one hundred miles, in an effort to surprise and capture Fort William Henry.
But the vigilant garrison successfully defended the works, although the little
fleet of bateaux and the huts of the rangers were destroyed.
The limits of our work will not permit of following in detail the numerous
expeditions, battles and hardships of the brave Rogers. The reader will find
Rogers's Journal, edited by Hough and published by Munsell, of Albany, full
of interesting matter on this topic.
The Marquis de Montcalm was made the successor of Dieskau in com-
mand of the French and their allies, and succeeded, even to a greater extent
than had his predecessors in winning the confidence and utilizing the power of
the Indians.
Says Watson : " The French, far more than the English, were successful in
conducting mihtary operations in association with their savage auxiliaries.
More flexible in their own feelings, they were more yielding and tolerant
towards the peculiar habits and temperament of the Indians. Coercion and
reason were powerless with such allies They were often the most
valuable auxiharies, and achieved victory upon more than one important field ;
but always unreliable, no safe calculations could be placed upon their services,
their fidelity or constancy. Montcalm pronounced them inestimable as scouts
and spies." They were the most dreaded opponents and formidable enemies
78 History of Essex County.
■to the brilliant and heroic operations of the rangers under Rogers, Stark and
Putnam.
Montcalm 1 arrived at Quebec in May, 1756, and immediately made him-
self acquainted with the condition and prospects of his forces ; and he found
the situation anything but encouraging. He visited Carillon (Ticonderoga)
where he had given but one day to inspection and consultation, when he was
recalled by Vaudreuil. Early in August he had organized at Frontenac a
force of about five thousand men, with which he rapidly advanced upon Oswego.
Abercrombie was informed at Albany of the contemplated attack, but the char-
acteristic apathy of the English at that period prevented the necessary imme-
diate action, instead of which Abercrombie and Loudoun began deliberate
preparations for a descent upon Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Reinforce-
ments were sent to Forts Edward and William Henry. The opportunity for
relieving Oswego was lost. After a brief defense the fort at that point capitu-
lated (August nth, 1756) and turned over to Montcalm sixteen hundred men,
one hundred cannon, a large quantity of stores and the vessels then in the
harbor. Even the fall of Oswego did not awaken the energies of Loudoun.
An attack was, however, made by the English with a fleet of boats upon the
outworks and flotilla at Ticonderoga ; but Montcalm had proceeded thither
and the attack was repulsed with severe loss.
For the campaign of 1757 Loudoun made requisition for four thousand
troops from the northern colonies, which were furnished, as was supposed, for
the reduction of Crown Point and Ticonderoga ; but the incapable official again
disappointed them, and in June made an ineffectual effort to capture Louisburg.
" This futile and impracticable scheme left the frontier colonies open and un-
protected. The vigilant and sagacious enemy, from their watch-towers at
Carillon, saw the error and prepared promptly to seize the advantage."^
In July Marin 3 left Carillon with a small party of Indians and surprised
and attacked near Fort Edward two detachments, which suffered severely at
his hands. His retreat, made in the face of superior numbers, was successfully
conducted. He took thirty- two scalps. In the same summer a party of three
hundred and fifty English provincials, who were proceeding down Lake George,.
were surprised by a force of Ottawa Indians under Corbiere, at Sabbath Day
Point. Only two boats and fifty men escaped.
It had now become a cherished purpose with Montcalm to destroy Fort.
William Henry, which was a source of constant anxiety to the Canadian gov-
1 He was of noble birth and thorough education, and entered the French army at fourteen ; distin-
guished himself in the war of the Austrian Succession in Germany, and gained the rank of colonel for
his conduct in the battle of Piacenza, in Italy, in 1746. His career in the new world was marked by
skill, heroism and humanity.
2 Watson.
3 :\Iarin was formerly connected with the French navy, but while yet young he was allured by the
promised romance and daring of the border warfare in New France, and joined the irregular forces of
Indians and Canadians. His deeds were valorous, often sanguinary, but sometimes redeemed by gen-
erous acts.
The French and English War. 79
ernment, and he resolved to make the effort. The Indian warriors were sum-
moned and responded in such numbers, from Lake Superior to Acadia, that
Montcalm was constrained to write, " I have seized their manners and genius."
This able general, with rare intuitiveness, mingled with the savages and took
part in their ceremonies, made them liberal gifts, and then excited their passions
with visions of rich plunder and revenge. The French and Canadian forces
were rapidly assembled at Crown Point and Carillon, where they were joined
by the Indians. The latter came up the lake in two hundred canoes, accom-
panied by the priests, the war chants blending with missionary hymns. Across
the portage of between three and four miles to Lake George, two hundred and
fifty bateaux and two hundred canoes were transported, a work of great mag-
nitude, and performed without tlje aid of horses or oxen. The following day
Montcalm called a council of his Indian aljies. It should be understood that,
at this time, large numbers of the Five Nations had become settled in Canada,
or had joined the French cause from other points, chiefly on account of the
success of the French arms and the apathy of the English. On the occasion in
question these Iroquois warriors acted the host and received the other tribes
with hospitality. To the Iroquois Montcalm presented the " great belt of two
thousand beads, to bind the Indians to each other and all to himself"- He
then unfolded to them his plans. De Levis, with twenty-two hundred French
and Canadians, started two days in advance, under escort of six hundred In-
dians, with the purpose of traversing the mountain track on the west side of
the lake, leaving his baggage to come by water. On the 1st of August the
remainder of the force embarked in the bateaux. After severe trials De Levis
reached his destination and signaled the fact to Montcalm by means of fires at
Ganaouske. On the same evening Montcalm marched toward the fort. His
force comprised about five thousand five hundred effective men and sixteen
hundred Indians.
The fort was garrisoned by 500 men, under the gallant veteran. Colonel
Munro, and supported by 1,700 troops in an entrenched camp. General Webb
was at Fort Edward, only fifteen miles distant, with 4,000 men. Colonel Munro
felt strong in his position under these favorable circumstances. Webb had vis-
ited Fort WiUiam Henry just before Montcalm's investment, escorted by a body
of rangers under Putnam. The latter in making a reconnaissance down the
lake discovered the approach of the French, which fact he immediately com-
municated to Webb and urged him to oppose their landing. Instead, he igno-
bly enjoined secrecy upon Putnam and hastily returned to Fort Edward. Learn-
ing of the movements of Montcalm, Johnson had already marched to Fort Ed-
ward with a force of militia and Indians, reaching there on the second day of
the siege. For six days the siege was continued, during which 'almost daily
appeals were sent to Webb for aid. None was furnished. He finally consented
that Johnson should march with the militia and rangers to the relief of the be-
8o History of Essex County.
leaguered fortress ; but the force was peremptorily recalled after proceeding
about three miles. Webb sent a letter ^ to Munro advising surrender. It is clear
that poltroons sometimes reach high station in the military as well as in civil life.
Montcalm was fortunate. On the same day he received from France dis-
patches promising royal favors to the army and conferring upon himself the
red ribbon with the rank of "commander of St. Louis." The army was re-
inspired and confident.
Webb's letter to Munro was intercepted by Montcalm, who forwarded it to
the fort, with a demand for its instant surrender. Further resistance was use-
less, and with his ammunition nearly exhausted and half his guns useless,
Munro was forced to hang out a flag of truce. Montcalm agreed to honorable
terms, one stipulation being that the Enghsh troops should march out of the
fort " with their arms and other honors of war, and receive an escort to Fort Ed-
ward." The following night was spent by the Indians in their customary orgies
in celebration of a victory ; but they were disappointed that they could not glut
their vengeance with more blood, and a most horrible and disgraceful atrocity
followed. As the garrison were marching from the works early in the morn-
ing, the Indians gathered about and began robbing and insulting the prisoners,
brandishing their tomahawks and amusing themselves with the terror inspired
in their victims. Personal encounters ensued and with the first flow of blood
the savages seemed transformed into demons. Slaughter began on all sides
and the dismayed prisoners fled in confusion. At this juncture Montcalm and
other French officers rushed upon the scene, bared their breasts and "by
threats, prayers, caresses and conflicts with the chiefs, arrested the massacre."^
" Kill me," cried Montcalm, " but spare the English, who are under my pro-
tection." Over one-half the English reached Fort Edward in broken squads;
400 were rescued with their property and restored under the capitulation of
Montcalm, and many others through his solicitation were ransomed from the
Indians by Vaudreuil. About thirty were killed outright.
Montcalm has been impassionately charged with complicity in this outrage ;
but it must be confessed that a calm review of the subject does not warrant
such a charge. 3
1 This letter was written by an aid-de-camp, who says : " He (General Webb) has ordered me to
acquaint you that he does not think it prudent (as you know his strength at this place) to attempt a
junction or to assist you, till reinforced by the militia of the colonies, for the immediate march, of
which, repeated expresses have been sent. One of our scouts brought in a Canadian prisoner last
night from the investing party, which is very large, and have possessed all the grounds five miles on
this side of Fort William Henry. The number of the enemy is very considerable the prisoners say,
11,000, and have a large train of artillery with mortars, and were to open their batteries this day (Aug.
4th.) The General thought proper to send you this intelligence, that in case he should be so unfortu-
nate, from the delays of the militia, not to have it in his power to give you timely assistance, you might
be able to make the best terms in your power ; " etc.
2 Documentary History.
3 Such atrocities were utterly incompatible with his high character as a Christian noble, a gallant
soldier and a refined scholar, whose sensibilities had been purified and elevated by communion with
Continuation of the French and English War. 8i
Fort William Henry was totally destroyed and its stores and munitions
captured. 1 And all this was effected with a loss to the besiegers of only fifty-
three men. General Webb sent his personal baggage to a place of sa ety and
prepared to retreat from Fort Edward to the Hudson. The reduction of this
fortification and the possible capture of Albany had been a part of the plans of
Montcalm, but for sufficient reasons (chief among which was the required pres-
ence of his Canadian soldiers in their harvest fields in order to avert a famine)
he retired satisfied with his success and glory. Meanwhile Loudoun had taken
his position on Long Island ; the Enghsh had been driven from the Ohio and
Montcalm had placed the valley of the St. Lawrence under the dominion
of France. Great Britain and her colonies were humiliated and fearful of the
future.
The illustration on the next page of the plan of the French attack on Fort
William Henry is from Butler's Lake George and Lake -Champlain, and was
made from actual survey by Mr. Butler.
CHAPTER VIII.
continuation of the FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR.
Prospects for 1758 — Disheartening Situation in New France — Famine — England's Preponder-
ance — Deeds of the Rangers under Rogers and Putnam — Campaign Plans — Three Expeditions —
Fall of Louisberg and Du Quesne — Expedition against Ticonderoga — Death of General Howe and
its Consequences — The French Position — First Repulse of the English — Assault on the French
Lines — A Sanguinary Conflict — Heroism of the English — Abercrombie's Headquarters — French
Victorious — Montcalm's Effective Activity — Movements of the Rangers — Putnam's Danger — His
Escape.
WHEN the reader of to-day reflects upon the relative situations of France
and England in the New World at the beginning of the year 1758, he
finds it difficult to believe that the latter government would submit to three
years more of destructive warfare upon her colonies before establishing her do-
minion over the territory south of the St. Lawrence river, and this while her
resources and military strength were constantly and rapidly increasing the dis-
proportion between the two powers. The opening of the year named saw Can-
ada threatened with a famine. The harvest of the previous year was a failure,
the poets and philosophers of antiquity. But it (history) can never exonerate his fame from the impu-
tation of criminal negligence and a reckless disregard to the safety of those confided to his honor and
protection by the most solemn act known to warfare. A moral responsibility rests upon those who set
in motion a power, which they know they have no ability to guide or control. — Watson.
IThe fort was never rebuilt. Its site in Warren county is now occupied by the splendid Fort
William Henry Hotel.
Continuation of the French and English War. 83
and the home government found it difficult to transmit supplies across an ocean
thronged with the enemy's ships. Montcalm wrote the French minister : " The
article of provisions makes me tremble." The fact is, a scarcity of provisions
followed which caused many deaths by starvation. The population of Canada
was estimated at only 82,000, from which Montcalm relied upon drawing about
7,000 men, a force which he could support with nearly 4,000 regulars. These
troops were "suffering and impoverished," while fortunes awaited the corrupt
high officials. Frauds were perpetrated upon the king of such a flagrant char-
acter that they demanded investigation at the close of the war, and numerous
other embarrassments crippled the energies and chafed the gallant spirit of
Montcalm.
On the other hand, although the recent campaign had been one of disaster
to the English, that fact seemed to infuse a little spirit into the ministry which
found public expression, chiefly from the gifted statesman, William Pitt. A
million and a half of people inhabited the British colonies and an army of some
50,000 men was subject to the commands of Abercrombie. Commercial in-
tercourse with the mother country was almost untrammeled, and there seems
no sufficient reason why the French power should not have been extinguished
by one grand movement.
But this predominance of the English was considerably modified by the
f^cts that France had gained far stronger influence over the Indians than had
the English ; the Canadian population was more concentrated, and above all,
the French cause was kept under command and direction of far the most bril-
liant and able men. In the language of Mr. Watson, " Britain sent to her col-
onies effete generals, bankrupt nobles and debauched parasites of the court.
France selected her functionaries from the wisest, noblest and best of her peo-
ple, and, therefore, her colonial interests were usually directed with wisdom
and sagacity."
English hostilities began in 1758 with brilliant deeds by the rangers under
Rogers and Putnam, which could not, however, seriously influence the general
campaign. Rogers left Fort Edward in March with one hundred and eighty
men to reconnoitre the vicinity of Ticonderoga. When near the foot of the
lake they encountered a body of about a hundred Canadians and Incjians.
These were dispersed and the march continued until the English were sud-
denly confronted with a large force in ambush. A desperate conflict followed,
the rangers fighting with a valor born of their knowledge that it was a ques-
tion of life or death. Nearly the entire detachment was slain and one hun-
dred and forty-four scalps were carried as trophies to Montcalm. Rogers,
with a few of his men, escaped. This bloody affray was fought near the rock
known as Rogers's Slide, in the northeast corner of Warren county. Tradi-
tion asserts that Rogers made his escape by sliding down this precipitous rock
to the surface of the lake, but the story is not generally credited. The battle
84 History of Essex County.
was probably fought on snow shoes, amid the rugged rocks and defiles of the
mountains.
Another heroic incident may be related here. Major Putnam was em-
ployed early in the campaign in protecting the English communications and
was stationed in a commanding position at a point near Whitehall, where the
lake makes a sharp angle, now known as Fiddler's Elbow. He was in com-
mand of thirty-five rangers, and on the eastern cliffs he built a stone breast-
work, which he disguised with green boughs. Here he patiently waited four
days until, on the evening of the fourth day, his scout announced the ap-
proach of a flotilla. Clear moonlight revealed every movement on the water.
When the foremost boats had passed the barricade the rangers poured de-
structive volleys upon them in rapid succession. An attempt by part of the
French to land was repulsed by twelve of the little band. As dawn appeared
Putnam found his ammunition expended and was forced to retire. His only
loss was two men wounded. The location is still known as Put's Rock.
Three formidable expeditions were planned for this year against Louis-
burg, Fort Du Quesne and Ticonderoga, respectively. Admiral Boscawen,
with twenty ships of the line and fifteen frigates, together with twelve thou-
sand men under General Amherst, arrived before Louisburg on the 3d of June.
A vigorous siege was begun which lasted until the 26th of July, when the
French surrendered the position.
The expedition against Du Quesne was commanded by General John
Forbes, through whose dilatory action it came very near being disastrous and
abandoned. After months of wasted time Washington was sent forward, and
when within a day's march of the fort they were discovered by some Indians,
who carried the news of their approach to the garrison. There were then but
five hundred men in the fortification, and they, on the 24th of November, set
it on fire and fled down the Ohio river.
The capture of Ticonderoga and a descent upon Montreal was the more
important, indeed it was the vital, point in the plans of the campaign. A
force of about seven thousand regulars, nearly nine thousand provincials and
a heavy train of artillery was assembled at the head of Lake George by the
beginning of July. This was the finest army yet organized on the western
continent ; but unfortunately its command was given to General James Aber-
crombie. Judging well of his incapacity Pitt sought to avert the probability of
failure by the selection of Lord Howe, who was given the rank of brigadier-
general and made the active controlling spirit of the undertaking.
At dawn on the morning of the Sth of July this splendid army embarked
on Lake George m nine hundred bateaux and one hundred and thirty-five
whale-boats, the artillery being transported on rafts. It was an imposing fleet,
such as had not before been seen in American waters. A halt was made at
Sabbath-day Point for rest and refreshment just before evening, and at ten
Continuation of the French and English War. 85
o'clock the army was again under headway. Early on the morning of the 6th
a landing was made on the -west side of the lake at a point which still bears
the name of General Howe. Howe and Stark lay upon the same bear-skin
the previous night and discussed the situation at Carillon ; and there a feeling
of mutual regard sprang up between them.
De Boulamarque had been stationed at the foot of the lake with three reg-
iments to oppose the landing of the English, but on their approach in such
overwhelming numbers he retreated to the fort, burning both the bridges across
the outlet of Lake George, thus compelling Abercrombie to pursue his march
through the pathless forest on the west side of the stream. He left his bag-
gage and stores at the deserted camp of De Boulamarque and took up the
march directly for the French works ; but the intricacy of the forest and the
roughness of the ground soon broke up the columns. While in this state of
confusion they encountered a body of three hundred and fifty French, who
had been detached under De Trepesee, and had been for twelve hours endeav-
oring to thread their way through the almost impenetrable woods. A skirmish
ensued in which the French soldiers displayed great heroism, despite their ex-
hausted condition. It proved a disastrous event to the English, for the gallant
Lord Howe, upon whom, as it developed, the success of the expedition de-
pended, fell at the first fire. The British regulars were appalled at the death
of Howe and, unused to forest fighting, faltered and broke, but were gallantly
sustained by the provincials. The French general was mortally wounded and
almost the entire detachment slain or captured, with insignificant loss to the
English.!
With the death of Howe fled all hope of a successful compaign. The
chronic imbecility and apathy of the English returned and the army of sixteen
thousand men, their only immediate enemy being four thousand under Mont-
calm, was withdrawn on the morning of the 7th. Bradstreet took possession
of the saw mill at the falls about noon, rebuilt the bridges and in the evening
the army took up its position at that point, about two miles from the fort.
During this valuable period the French were strengthening their defenses,
whose position is thus clearly described by Mr. Watson : " The promontory
held by Montcalm was a narrow and elevated peninsula washed on three sides
by deep waters (see engraving) with its base on the western and only accessible
side. On the north of this base the access was obstructed by a wet meadow,
and on the southern extremity it was rendered impracticable to the advance of
an army by a steep slope, extending from the hill to the outlet. The summit
between these two points was rounded and sinuous with ledges and elevations
1 If the British army narrowly escaped by this panic a renewal of the bloody scenes on ^the Mo-
nongahela, it is equally probable, if Howe had lived, and a rapid and vigorous advance been made af-
ter the annihilation of Tr^pes^e's party, that the imperfect intrenchments of the French might have
been entered and captured in the disorder and alarm of the moment. But the bugle of Abercrombie
sounded the retreat and the opportunity was lost. — Watson.
86
History of Essex. County.
at intervals. Here and about half a mile in advance of the fort Montcalm
traced the line of his projected intrenchment. It followed the sinuosities of
the land, the sections of the works reciprocally flanking each other." The en-
trenchment, which was about an eighth of a league in length, was constructed
by Dupont Le Roy, an accomplished engineer. " It was formed by falling
trunks of trees one upon the other and others felled in front, their branches cut
and sharpened produced the effect of a chevaiix defrise."'^ The abattis was about
one hundred yards in width. The entire day of the 7th was spent by the
French in energetic labor on this effective intrenchment, their flags flying along
ticonderoga and its' dependencies, august, 1 776, from a plan drawn by
Col. John Trumbull.
the line and music playing, until the line arose to a height of from eight to ten
feet its entire length.
De Levis, who had organized an expedition against the Mohawk valley, was
recalled to reinforce Ticonderoga, which was reached on the night of the 7th
by his four hundred veterans, he following at five o'clock the next morning,
accompanied by the gallant De Senezergues. At about the same hour John-
son joined the English camp with three or four hundred Mohawks.
It is well settled that at this time it was Montcalm's intention to evacuate
1 Montcalm's Report.
Continuation of the French and English War. 87
Ticonderoga ; to the experienced military eye it must have seemed untenable,
and it is claimed that he did not decide upon a vigorous defense until the morn-
ing of the attack. His force on that day amounted to three thousand and six
hundred men, four hundred and fifty of whom were irregular troops. The
number of fighting men was two thousand nine hundred and ninety-two.
The troops were called to the lilies at daybreak and assigned their positions
for the day and then returned to improve the precious hours on the intrench-
ments. The meadow on the right, in front of which was a slight abattis, was
occupied by the irregular troops. The fort guns commanded this opening as
well as the slope on the extreme left. De Levis was placed on the right with
three regiments. De Boulamarque held the left with an equal force, while
Montcalm occupied the centre with two battalions and pickets. The declivity
toward the outlet was guarded by two companies. Behind each battalion was
stationed in reserve a company of grenadiers. At the proconcerted signal (an
alarm gun) the troops left their labors on the lines and were at their respective
stations under arms just as the advance of the British appeared.
Abercrombie was misled to the belief that reinforcements were on their way
to Montcalm. This fact, with the added opinion of his engineer, Clarke, that
the French lines were vulnerable to the infantry (although the practiced eye of
Stark saw otherwise and so reported), prompted Abercrombie to an immediate
attack before the arrival of his powerful artillery.
The imposing advance was made in three columns : First, rangers, bateau
men and light infantry ; next the provincials marched with wide openings be-
tween the regiments ; behind these openings were the regulars in columns ;
the New Jersey and Connecticut levies formed the rear. Johnson was posted
with his Indians on Mount Defiance, then known as Sugar Loaf Hill. He took
little part in the battle.
The regulars rapidly advanced between the provincial regiments and hurled
themselves with intrepid bravery and great determination upon the abattis in
front of the French. Two columns attacked the right, another the center, and
a fourth was thrown upon the left. But when the almost insurmountable bar-
rier was reached, its impenetrable thicket broke up all military order, while
from behind the works came terrible volleys with murderous effectiveness.
More heroic valor or greater individual bravery has' seldom been shown in
battle than was exhibited by the British veterans. And seldom has the great
advantage of even temporary intrenchments been more clearly demonstrated.
The deadly fire of the French soldiers, protected by their intrenchments, and
the cannonade from the howitzers posted at intervals along the line, told with
fearful effect upon the assaulting army ; but they heard no command to retreat ;
they had received their orders to advance, and although they could not sur-
mount the works of the enemy, they could die in front of them. The fire of
the provincials and their marksmen was perhaps more effective than the vol-
88 History of Essex County.
leys of the regulars ;i Montcalm afterward referred to their "murderous
fire."
The details of this sanguinary battle need not be- further pursued ; they
are emblazoned on the pages of many a history. The assault was hopeless
from the beginning, and while its bloody scenes were being enacted, under the
watchful eye of the brilliant French general, Abercrombie looked after the
welfare of his noble person amid the security of the saw-mills, two miles from
the battle-field. All day long the conflict raged, and between the hours of six
and seven the heroic columns still continued to charge upon the French lines.
But the time for retreat had arrived ; it should have arrived earlier, and regi-
ment after regiment weary and decimated and without any general -order, re-
tired to the camp, their retreat covered by the provincials. Then followed
one of those strange panics to which armies made up of the bravest material
have often been subject. From some influence that is difficult to comprehend,
a feeling of terror spread through the ranks and a wild flight ensued. Nothing
but the prompt firmness of Bradstreet prevented further sacrifice. That im-
mediate pursuit did not follow was due only to the comparative feebleness of
the enemy and the impracticability of traversing the forest without Indian
guides. De Levis went over the track of Abercrombie's army on the morning
of the loth and found only the vestiges of a routed host ; and before that hour
the English general had dishonorably placed the length of Lake George be-
tween him and his conquerors.
Abercrombie admitted the loss of about two thousand men, but the French
placed it much heavier, claiming their own to be less than five hundred. Bou-
lamarque was severely and Bougainville slightly wounded.
This terrible and probably unnecessary catastrophe was partially offset by
the successful siege of Frontenac, which capitulated to Bradstreet on the
26th of August. But while Abercrombie dallied in helpless indecision,
Montcalm, reinforced on the 12th of July by the younger Vaudreuil with 3,000
Canadians, and by 600 Indians, on the I3th2 was vigilant and persistent, strik-
ing wherever and whenever he could detect a vulnerable point. Eight days
after the battle at Ticonderoga, a body of 500 French partisans surprised an
English detachment near the Half-way brook between Lake George and Fort
Edward and secured forty-two scalps. On the same ground a few days later
another party captured forty carts, 200 oxen, a large quantity of stores, and
took eighty-four prisoners and 116 scalps. Rogers and Putnam pursued the
victors with a force of 700 troops, but without success. While on this pursuit
and to thwart further possible movements, they traversed the mountainous dis- '
trict to Woodneck and returned towards Fort Edward. Apprised of this march,
Montcalm dispatched Marin with a force about equal to that of the rangers,
1 " Their fire greatly incommoded those in the intrenchments." — PoucHOT.
2 Abercrombie uses the fact of the arrival of these reinforcements to justify himself for attacking the
French before the arrival of his artillery.
Continuation of the French and English War. 89
to intercept the latter. Both parties reached the region of Fort Anne and were
ignorant of the proximity of each other. At this time Rogers, contrary to what
would have been expected of him while in an enemy's vicinity, fired at a mark
with a British officer. The shots revealed to Marin the location of the rangers,
for whose reception he immediately formed an effective ambush. Unsuspicious
of danger, the rangers were threading the forest in Indian file, Rogers in ad-
vance, D'EU in the center and Putnam in the rear. They marched directly into
the trap. The forest resounded with the war whoop and a murderous fire was
poured upon them. But the English had passed through such scenes and
although fighting at a great disadvantage, they promptly rallied and a bloody
battle ensued, the thrilling incidents of which have stirred the hearts of Amer-
icans, old and young, for generations. " Putnam and a few others," says Wat-
son, " were cut off" from the main body. The men were slain, and Putnam cap-
tured and 'securely bound to a tree. As the changes of the battle surged
around him, he was placed at times between the fire of the contending parties
and his garments torn by the shots, alike of friend and foe. While in this help-
less condition, a young Indian approached and amused himself with the strange
pastime of hurling his tomahawk at the prisoner, practicing how near he could
approach without striking the mark. A still more savage Canadian presented
his gun at Putnam's breast, but it missed fire. He then indulged his fierce
pissions by inflicting upon the prisoner several severe wounds with the butt of
his weapon. When the French were repulsed and commenced their retreat, his
Indian captor released Putnam and extended to him that mysterious tender-
ness and care with which the Indians treat their victims destined to the torture.
The savages encamped at night, and then the strange motive that actuated this
kindness was revealed. Putnam, stripped of his clothing, was again tied to a
sapling ; dried fagots were piled about him ; the torch applied, and while the
smoke and crackling flames began to ascend, the thoughts of the brave ranger
dwelt upon his happy home, and prattHng children. When the agony of death
in this frightful form was almost passed, the generous Marin, who had learned
of his peril, rushed to the spot, and bursting through the circle of shouting
savages, scattered the firebrands and rescued the victim. In the ensuing au-
tumn Putnam was exchanged and returned to new fields of glory, but to none
of such appalling horror.^
1 On the breaking out of the War of Independence, Rogers adhered to the government, was sub-
jected to confiscation and outlawry, went to England and there published his journal.
90 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER IX.
EXTINCTION OF FRENCH POWER IN AMERICA.
Continuation of the Famine — Exigencies of the French — Montcalm's Prophecies — Pitt's Zeal
and its effect — The Proposed Campaign — Abercrombie's Recall and Amherst's Appointment — His
Extensive Military Preparations — Assembling His Army — Montcalm Asks to be Recalled — Capture
of Ticonderoga and Crown Point by Amherst — Destruction of the .Indian Village of St. Francis —
Rogers's Wonderful Expedition — Amherst's Fleet and its Operations — General ^^'olfe before Quebec
— Fall of the City — Montcalm and Wolfe Killed — Strengthening, of Crown Point and Ticonderoga —
Campaign of 1760 — Extinction of French Power in the New World.
WHILE the events recorded in the preceding chapter would seem to indi-
cate an early approaching triumph of the French cause in America, the
reverse was the fact. Canada was suffering the actual horrors of famine and
was almost depopulated of males who had reached maturity, to swell the ranks
of the military. The ocean teemed with British ships, rendering it practically
impossible for France to grant the appeal: "We want provisions; we want
powder; and France should send 10,000 men to preserve our colony." For
three years, agamst odds that would, in any other hands than those of the in-
competent English commanders, have crushed him in a single campaign, the
brave Montcalm had preserved the French possessions ; but in the spring
of 1759 he wrote the government minister : " If the war continues, Canada will
belong to England, perhaps this campaign or the next." And then referring
to the gross corruption, jealous wrangles and insolence of the French officials
towards the Canadians, added in the same letter : " If there be peace the col-
ony is lost unless the entire government is changed." Moreover, a feeling of
jealousy and ill-will had grown up between Montcalm and Vaudreuil and was
fostered by the brilliant military exploits of the former ; while the latter from
his position of authority, carried to the throne imputations against Montcalm
of insubordination, neglect of instructions, lack of adaptation to the command
in Canada, and a personal deportment that alienated the alliance of the In-
dians. This spirit was reflected upon and infused into the army, while the
savages, although still professing fealty, failed to rally to the French cause as
they had formerly done. A large body of warriors had been promised Mont-
calm at Ticonderoga, with the aid of which he felt that he could have success-
fully pursued and overwhelmed Abercrombie. The warriors did not appear
until too late, when they were rebuked by Montcalm.i The chiefs complained
to Vaudreuil and he promptly carried their complaints to Versailles.
While this untoward state of affairs with the French was growing worse,
the zeal of Pitt was stirring the sluggish British to action. The proposed cam-
1 When the chiefs proposed to take the war path toward Fort Edward, Montcalm told them to "go
to the d 1."
Extinction of French Power in America. 91
paign involved, besides the conquest of Ticonderoga, the capture of Fort Ni-
agara and the siege of Quebec. On the 7th of July General Prideaux, who was
joined by Johnson at Oswego, appeared before Niagara, but the siege had
scarcely begun when he was slain. Johnson then assumed command and the
siege continued. On the 24th a large body of French and Indians attempted
to raise the siege. A sharp conflict ensued and the effort was defeated. The
garrison surrendered the next day.
With the fall of Louisburg, as already recorded, General Amherst em-
barked four or five regiments and hurried to Boston, whence he marched across
the country for Lake George, reaching there in October, 1758. Abercrombie
had already been recalled (September) and Amherst given the command of all
the forces in North America, which he assumed in November.^
Amherst^ began at once his preparations for an active campaign. He
proved to be the right man for the emergency ; and the colonies had need of
all their confidence in him and his proposed measures, for he called for more
than seventeen hundred recruits, a number that appalled them, coming as an
addition to their already heavy sacrifices. But inspired by tfie enthusiasm of
Pitt and relying on the genius of Amherst, the colonies yielded up their men
and means.
Amherst made his headquarters near the ruins of Fort William Henry,
where his army of eleven thousand effective men was assembled by the 21st
of July. On that day the bosom of Lake George was again the scene of a
gorgeous array of boats bearing the army towards their enemies. A landing
was made on the eastern shore, nearly opposite Howe's Cove, whence he was
prepared for his successful march against Ticonderoga.
The unhappy condition of the French had already impelled Montcalm to
ask repeatedly for his own recall, a request that was as often endorsed by Vau-
dreuil ; but the home government appreciated the genius of the general at his
true value and sent him the following dispatch : " You must not expect to re-
■ceive any military reinforcements ; we will convey all the provisions and am-
munition possible ; the rest depends on your wisdom and courage and the
bravery of your troops." Our sympathy must go out to the gallant officer
who was constrained to turn his thoughts from his family and his wasting es-
tate and give up his life for a falling fabric. He wrote a friend in France :
" There are situations where nothing remains for a general but to die with
honor."
1 Abercrombie returned to England ; evaded censure ; was gladdened by promotion, and lived to
vote as a member of parliament for the taxation of a country which his imbecility might have lost, and
which was always the object of his malignant aspersions. — Bancroft.
2 Amherst, without any claim to brilliancy or genius, was calculated to command success by the
excellence of his judgment, his prudent circumspection and persevering firmness. His character and
policy had secured to him the respect and confidence of the colonies. His measures were not stimulat-
■ed by the arrogance of Braddock, nor trammeled- by the feebleness and indecision of Abercrombie, nor
dishonored by the pusillanimity of Webb. — Watson.
92 History of Essex County.
Montcalm collected all his available forces, except twenty-three hundred
men who were left in charge of the lake fortifications under Boulamarque, and
occupied Quebec to oppose the expected attack under General Wolfe ; and
there both of these brave generals found their graves.
Boulamarque contemplated an attack upon the forces of Amherst while
they were still in the forest, but the Indians refused to support him. He
therefore " left a garrison of four hundred men at Ticonderoga, with orders to
maintain the position until the investment was completed, then to blow up the
fort and fall back upon Crown Point."i The investment was accomplished on
the 23d of July, and on the evening of the 26th a heavy explosion announced
the evacuation of Ticonderoga. The domination of France was ended. The
victors occupied the abandoned fortress. It was two weeks later before the
cautious Amherst moved upon Crown Point, which he found deserted and des-
olate. Boulamarque retreated to the Isle aux Noix. The final capture of Ti-
conderoga and Crown Point was effected almost without bloodshed. Am-
herst's adjutant- general, Townsend, a brilliant officer, and about eighty men
were killed.
General Amherst, mistaking the then inevitable current of events and con-
sequently magnifying the importance of Ticonderoga and Crown Point after
their capture, began the work of erecting a new fortress near the site of St.
Frederic, but of vastly greater strength and magnitude. The conquest of
Canada left the fortification useless and unfinished, after an expenditure of
more than ten million dollars. The English general also began the vigorous
construction of a naval flotilla for the lake which should permanently secure
its conquest. While this work was progressing two measures of considerable
importance were ordered by Amherst. The first was the construction of a
military road from Crown Point to Charlestown, on the Connecticut river.
This was an improvement of great value at that time and opened up a large
territory to settlement earlier than would have been the case without it. It is
said that the remains of the work may still be traced.
The other measure contemplated the destruction of the Indian village of
St. Francis, on the river of that name, about midway between Montreal and
Quebec. Rogers was selected for the undertaking and given command of one
hundred and forty-two men. He descended the lake with caution and on the
tenth day concealed his boats at the foot of Missisqui Bay, leaving two Indians
to watch them. Two days later he was overtaken by the Indians, with the in-
formation that he was followed by the French who had captured his boats and
were in ambush awaiting his return. In this emergency he conceived the
bold and hazardous design of prosecuting his original purpose, after which he
would march through the wilderness to the " Cohase Intervales," a point sixty
miles north of Charlestown, on the Connecticut river, and the northernmost
^Watson's Essex Coiintv.
Extinction of French Power in America.
93
English post on that stream. He immediately dispatched eight of his men
under Lieutenant McMullin through the wilderness to Crown Point, with a re-
quest to Amherst to send the necessary supplies to meet him at the designated
point on the Connecticut. On the evening of the twenty-second day of their
march the little band reached the vicinity of the Indian village, which was
carefully reconnoitered. At dawn the next morning they fell upon the un-
suspecting savages, of whom few escaped ; about two hundred were killed.
Dayhght revealed to the victors the sight of more than six hundred English
scalps of both sexes and all ages floating from the lodge-poles of the Indians.
If this massacre of the village seems a cold and blood-thirsty deed, the find-
ing of these dread trophies of savage atrocities against helpless Europeans
must modify our deprecation of it. Rogers loaded his men with what plun-
der they could carry and started for the Connecticut. He was pursued by a
body of Indians, who hung upon his rear, repeatedly attacking him. He was
finally forced to divide his party in order to more readily procure subsistence,
which poHcy left him still more exposed to the assaults of the Indians, who
killed many and captured a number of prisoners. Rogers and the remainder
of his men reached the- appointed place on the Connecticut after much hard-
ship, only to find it deserted by the men who had been sent by Amherst with
supplies. Rogers then took with him one ranger and an Indian youth and
started to descend the river on a raft ; the journey was at last accomplished
after the most perplexing trials and inflexible determination, and supplies were
forwarded to the waiting rangers. Rogers returned to Crown Point on the
1st of December, and when the scattered parties were reassembled, he report-
ed a loss of three officers and forty-six privates.
Meanwhile the construction of Amherst's navy was progressing under direc-
tion of Captain Loring, and by the i ith of October there were finished a sloop
carrying sixteen guns, a brigantine and radeau mounting six cannon of large
calibre. Under escort of these vsssels, Amherst embarked his army on
bateaux and sailed down the lake on his long deferred expedition towards
Quebec. On the following day twelve of his boats were foundered in a gale
and the remainder of the fleet sought shelter in lee of the western shores. i
Loring took the brigantine and sloop, continued on down the lake and forced
the French to destroy two of their vessels in a bay on the northeast of Valcour
1 Mr. Watson concludes that Amherst probably advanced under these adverse circumstances to the
vicinity of Valcour island and there on the mainland formed an encampment. In support of this con-
clusion he quotes as follows from the writings of Alvin Colvin, esq. : "I adopt this conclusion from the
language of an English writer of the period, and from the popular traditions of the region. Those are
still living who recollect an opening on the pine bluffs south of the Ausable river and directly upon the
boundary line between Clinton and Essex counties, which, in the early part of the century was known
as Amherst's encampment. It exhibited vestiges of extensive field-works, the habitual caution of Am-
herst-would have led him to erect, and also remains of tar manufactories formed in the primitive man-
ner of the pioneers. It is a singular coincidence that the tar and pitch used in the equipment of Mc-
Donough's fleet more than fifty years afterward were made on the same ground and by a similar process. "
94 History of Essex County.
island ; a third was sunk, and one schooner only was saved by seeking shelter
under the guns at Isle aux Noix. It is believed that Amherst's extreme cau-
tion, more than the exigencies of the situation, caused him to return to Crown
Point after an absence of ten days, instead of pressing on to the relief of Wolfe.
This brave but fated officer found himself before Quebec in June with eight
thousand men in transports under convoy of twenty-two line-of-battle ships.
He landed his men on the Isle of Orleans, three miles below the town, and on
the 30th seized Point Levi, opposite th:; city, on which he erected batteries.
Several unsuccessful efforts were made to cut out and destroy the French ship-
ping, and two months passed during which little progress had been made-
towards the capture of the city. Neither had any intelligence been received
from Amherst other than report by the enemy that he had retreated. General
Wolfe was prostrated by sickness and the future looked gloomy. But a coun-
cil of officers, called at his bedside, decided to scale the heights of Abraham
from the St. Lawrence and assault the town. Feeble as Wolfe was he resolved
to lead the attack. The camp below the Montmorency' was broken up on the
8th of September and Montcalm's attention was diverted from the real move-
ment by seeming preparations to attack his lines. On the 12th the vessels-
bearing the army moved up the stream above the intended landing place. At
midnight the troops left the ships and proceeded in flat boats and with muffled
oars to the landing, where a ravine led up to the plains. In early morning the
entire English force had reached the destination and were ready to attack the
works.
Meanwhile Montcalm foresaw the coming doom and on the 24th of August
wrote with realistic forecast : " The capture of Quebec must be the work of a
coup de main. The English are masters of the river. They have but to effect
a descent on the bank on which this city, without fortification and without de-
fense, is situated, and they are at once in condition to offer me battle which I
cannot refuse, and which I ought not to be permitted to gain. In fine, Mr.
Wolfe, if he understands his business, has but to receive my first fire, to rush-
rapidly upon my army, to discharge his volley at close quarters, and my Cana-
dians, without discipline, deaf to the call of the drum and the trumpet, and
thrown into disorder by this assault, will be unable to recover their ranks.
They have no bayonets to meet those of their enemy ; nothing remains for
them but flight, and I am routed irretrievably."
" Mr. Wolfe " understood his business. This plan of assault, so greatly
practicable to the experienced eye of the French general, was substantially
carried out, and after a sanguinary battle (the details of which are beyond the
province of this work) the victory was won, with a thousand prisoners and five
hundred French killed, among whom was the brave Montcalm. The English
loss was six hundred killed and wounded, among the former being the gallant
Wolfe, who received three wounds early in the attack, the third one being:
Extinction of French Power in America. 95
mortal. General Townsend now prepared to besiege the city itself. "Threat-
ened famine within aided him," and five days after the death of Wolfe (Sep-
tember 1 8th, 1759) Quebec, with its fortification, shipping, stores and people,
was surrendered to the English. General Murray, with five thousand troops,
took possession and the fleet with the sick and prisoners sailed for Halifax.
For the fall of Quebec, Montcalm was largely held responsible and was even
charged with deliberately sacrificing it to gratify his jealousy of Vaudreuil ;
but a calm view of the situation in the brilliant light of his previous heroic
services will hardly substantiate such charges. Vaudreuil returned to France
after the capitulation, and he also became an object of persecution and unjust
censure.
A period of quiet followed these events, during which Amherst devoted
his energies to the extension of the works at Ticonderoga and the erection of
the great fortress at Crown Point. (See subsequent history of these towns).
A comparatively brief campaign in 1760 completed the conquest of the
French in the New World. De Levis made a heroic effort to recapture Quebec
in the battle of Sillery, in which Murray suffered a disastrous defeat ; but* it
came too late to permanently re-establish the fortunes of France. Amherst's
plans for the year 1760 embraced his own advance upon Montreal hy way of
Oswego and the St. Lawrence, for which purpose he reserved to himself by
far the strongest column of the army, numbering about ten thousand men.
With this invincible force he moved with his accustomed deliberation and cau-
tion and appeared before Montreal on the 6th of September. Haviland was
left in command of the fortresses on Lake Champlain, from which locality sev-
eral successful incursions were made against Canadian settlements under com-
mand of Rogers, while awaiting the deliberate movements of Amherst. On
the i6th of August the last military pageant of this war left Crown Point and
sailed down the lake. It comprised about three thousand regulars and pro-
vincials under Haviland, who were embarked in bateaux under convoy of
four war vessels, with an equal number of radeaux bearing heavy armaments.
Bourgainville occupied the Isle aux Noix, which he had strengthened by
anchoring a fleet of small vessels on his flank. He had sixteen hundred men.
Haviland peached the main land opposite the island without opposition, where
he erected batteries. The vessels of the French were dispersed or captured
and on the night of the 29th they abandoned the position. The fortifications
at St. Johns and Chambly were evacuated at the same time, the garrisons fall-
ing back towards Montreal. Meanwhile Murray had ascended the river from
Quebec and joined Amherst before Montreal, where Haviland formed a junc-
tion on the 7th of September. Here was gathered all that remained of the
chivalry of France in the New World, with their allies, to oppose the last attack,
the success of which would drive them from the country forever. However
honorable to the French arms, the struggle was hopelessly unequal, and on the
c)6 History of Essex County.
8th of September Vaudreuil capitulated and New France, with all of its depen-
dencies, fell into the hands of the British. Amherst made terms of generous
magnanimity and the details were soon agreed upon, while England sent up a
national shout of exultation. Although hostilities between the two nations
ceased, a formal peace was not established until 1763, when, on the loth of
February, the treaty of Paris was signed, by which France ceded to Great
Britain all her possessions in Canada.
On the 30th of July, 1760, Governor De Lancey, of New York, suddenly
died and the government passed into the hands of Cadwallader Colden, who
was commissioned lieutenant-governor in August, 1761. In October of that
year General Robert Monkton was appointed governor of New York.
CHAPTER X.
FIRST COLONIZATION.
Conflicting Land Grauts — The Champlain Valley thrown into Market — William Gilliland's Pur-
chases — His Remarkable Colony — Plan of Leasing to Tenants — Departure of the Colony from New
York — Extracts from Gilliland's Journal— His Arbitrary Act — Drowning of His Daughter— The
Boundary Commission.
WAR must e'ver necessarily be a hindrance to the settlement of new coun-
tries. The territory of which this work is a history was no exception to
the rule, and, as far as can ever be ascertained, Httle was accomplished in it
towards permanent occupation until after the peace of 1763. Although the
French'had maintained their military domination over the Champlain valley for
nearly a quarter of a century, the fact that it was a military ascendency pre-
vented their permanent occupation of the attractive region for purposes of
clearing and improving the lands, except in the immediate vicinity of their
fortifications. ^ While in these localities, and particularly at Crown Point, there
are evidences of settlements of no inconsiderable magnitude and of a brisk
mercantile business, these conditions undoubtedly grew, tso a large extent, out
of the war. It is behaved that there was a village of between fifteen hundred
and two thousand inhabitants at Crown Point during the French regime, and
it is reasonable to suppose that in such a community there were many who
located there in the belief that the French cause would eventually triumph and
they thus be permitted to become permanent occupants of the soil they were
improving. It is also possible that the settlement was one of importance even
1 See town histories of Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
First Colonization. 97
before the French occupation,^ as a trading-post for French, EngHsh and In-
dians. But whatever may have been the extent of settlement down to the
period of the war whose events we have described, the inhabitants appear to
have retreated from the region before the march of Amherst's victorious armies.
Between that war and the beginning of the War of the Revolution great ad-
vancement was made in the occupation of the Eastern States ; and the uncer-
tainty that surrounded the future of Canada, which had retarded settlements
in the environs of Lake Champlain before the peace of 1763, was dispelled by
the treaty of Paris, and the officers and soldiers of both the regular and pro-
vincial ranks, who had beheld the natural beauties of the lake and its shores,
turned their attention and that of their friends and relatives in this direction.
But grants of land had already been issued by the French government, cover-
ing portions of this region, which were destined to cause much annoyance to
early settlers. One of these, under date of November 15th, 1758, embraced a
large part of the territory within the present boundaries of the towns of Crown
Point and Ticonderoga ; another earlier one has already been mentioned. A
proclamation by the king of Great Britain, dated October 7th, 1763, authorized
the colonial governors to issue land grants which might be located in any colony
chosen by the grantee. As the officers and men who had served in the then
recent campaigns were to be particularly favored in these grants, it was a nat-
ural consequence that the proclamation would not only lead to rapid increase
in the general occupation of the country, but would turn the hopeful gaze of
many soldiers and officers towards the lovely valley where much of their ser-
vice had been expended, and whose beauty and fertility they had seen for
themselves. These grants often came in collision with those previously issued
by the French government and a great deal of trouble was experienced in ad-
justing the conflicting interests in such cases. England was perhaps justified
in the assumption that France never acquired any rights over the territory in
question, other than by usurpation, and could not, therefore, exercise any au-
thority which England wou3d be bound to respect; 2 but the latter country
1 We think the conclusion is warranled, that Crown Point was probably, at an early period, a trading-
post, at which-the merchandise of the French and English colonies were interchanged, and where the
Indians congregated from widely extended hunting grounds to trafSc their peltries. — Watson's Essex
Couniy.
2 Governor Tryon to Lord Hillsborough, September, 1772 : " It is a matter of real concern to me
to learn the consideration of the Canada Claims has not undergone a final decision. Upon a more strict
examination of the claims of the French grantees to lands within this Gov't I cannot be persuaded that
the last treaty of peace, or the ai'ticles of the Capitulation at the surrender of Canada gives any valid
title to such claims. The. territory southwards of St. Lawrence river has been always acknowledged
the property of the Five Nations, subjects or allies of Great Britain, & as the French settlements, as
well as grants within that district were made, not under the sanction of Cession, purchase or conquest,
butby intrusion, the justice of the title of those claimants seems to rest on His Majesty's, generosity
which will operate no doubt as powerfully in the behalf of those Officers & Soldiers, w^o now hold a
great part of those disputed lands under grants from this prov'ce in consequence of HisJ^Iajesty's proc-
lamation in 1763." The details of the controversy over these grants will be found in the Documentary
History of New York, papers relating to the French seignories on Lake Champlain.
98 History of Essex County.
treated the French claimants with exceeding Hberality, first by issuing in 1768
an edict suspending the further granting of land claims north of Crown Point
in territory already included in any French patent, and in sonje cases compro-
mising with the French claimants by giving them l^nds in Canada of equal
value. Many of the French claims were, however, ultimately repudiated.
One effect of these conflicting claims was to throw the lands into market ■
moreover it has always been the rule that lands granted to soldiers are, to a
large extent, soon transferred to other hands, and usually at less than their
real value at the tirne. Previous to the period under consideration, patents of
extensive manors had been granted in the southern part of New York, whereon
the owners exercised a sort of feudal authority. These two circumstances
were probably the controUing motives which led to the establishment of a col-
ony in the territory of Essex county and extending into that of Clinton county,
which proved remarkable in many respects, and particularly so in the check-
ered and ultimately mournful career of its founder.
William Gilliland was at that time an enterprising merchant of New York
city. He was a native of Ireland and a man of bold enterprise, unflinching
determination and wise foresight. With the purpose of acquiring for himself
a great estate similar to those just mentioned, his attention fell upon the valley
of Lake Champlain, which he caused to be explored. Much of the territory
upon the eastern shores of the lake was already appropriated, and upon the in-
telligence furnished by his agents, he resolved to establish his manor on the
western shore along the Boquet river and extending southward along the lake
to Split Rock. His first acquisition was a grant of two thousand acres, made
to James Field. It lay immediately south of the Boquet and is still known as
Field's Patent. Gilliland subsequently bought seven additional claims, embrac-
ing in the aggregate more than fifteen thousand acres of land. The territory
comprehended in his estate " began half a mile south of the river, extending
to Judd's Patent (which seems to have been previously surveyed) near Spht
Rock, presenting on the shore of the lake a line of about six miles, and spread-
ing three or four miles into the interior. "i His purchases being concluded in
1764, the lands were surveyed in the ensuing year. It appears to*have been
Gilliland's plan to retain his extensive landed estate in his own possession and
to secure its occupation by a liberal system of leases and generous inducements
to his tenants. He secured a large number of hardy and industrious mechanics
and laborers, and amply provided with tools, provisions and all needed supplies
as far as could be foreseen, the colony left New York on the loth of May, 1765.
From this date Gilliland kept a journal with entries nearly every day, liberal
quotations from which will tell the story of the colonization of this portion of
Essex county better than it can otherwise be done, as well as give an inter-
esting and valuable historical record.2 We therefore quote as follows : —
1 Watson's Pioneer History of the Champlain Valley.
2 Mr. Watson, the able historian of this region, published in 1863 a work entitled Pioneer History
First Colonization.
99
"WILLSBOROUGH TOWN BOOK.
"COMMENCING THE loTH DAY OF JUNE, 1765. •
" 1765, May loth. This day I embarked at New York for Albany, hav-
ing the following persons in company to settle that tract of land.i viz. :
" The Rev. George Henry, minister.
" I John Chislm, millwright, to work 4 shillings per day and found.
" 2 Robert Maclane, millwright, to work 5 pounds ^ per mo. and found.
"3 George Nelson, carpenter, to work 3 pounds 12 per mo. and found.
" 4 John Mattoon, clerk, at 25 pounds per ann. and found.
" 5 James Storkner, weaver, at 40 shillings per mo. if wanted.
" 6 Robert McAuley, do do do
" 7 John Mcauley, do do do
" 8 George Belton, do do do
" 9 Mrs. Belton, wife of the foregoing of the same name.
" 10 Mrs. Chislm, wife to the foregoing of same name.
" 1 1 Catherine Shepherd, hired to keep house.
"12 Mary Craig, indentured for four years.
" May 13th, arrived at Albany, all well.
" May 14th, Isaac Bush, and WiUiams Barnes, drovers, arrived at Albany,
with 20 oxen, 20 cows, I bull, and a number of calves for me.
" May 1 8th, embarked in four bateaux, to proceed to Fort Edward, having
to the amount of eighty barrels of stores and all the people on board ; being
detained until now for two bateaux, ordered from Schenectady.
" 19th,. arrived at Half Moon, where we were joined the 20th, by William
Luckey, cooper and farmer, to get 40 shillings per month.
" 2ist, arrived at Robinson.
" 22d, arrived at Stillwater.
" 23d, arrived at Saratoga.
" 24th, arrived at Fort Miller.
" 25th, proceeded upon our way to Fort Edward.
" 26th, arrived at Fort Edward, where we were joined
" 27th, by Martin Tayler, farmer, at 45 shillings per month.
"1765.
"JOURNAL FROM NEW YORK TO WILLSBORO.
" May 29th, arrived at Fort George,^ with all the people, cattle. Bateaux
^nd goods, and
of the Champlain Valley., which embraces the entire journal of Mr. Gilliland, with much other valuable
historical matter ; we have selected from the journal such entries as seem desirable for this work.
1 Mr. Watson infers that the expression, "That tract of land," indicates that this portion of the
record is a continuation of an earlier document, which is lost.
2 The currency mentioned in this journal, unless differently designated, is the New York colonial
currency at $2.50 to the pound. The low wages then paid, when the hardships and privations of the
settlers are considered, presents a striking contrast with present customs.
3 The various military campaigns against Lake Champlain and Canada, many of them emanating
from Albany and its vicinity, had doubtless necessitated the construction of roads by way of Lake George
loo History of Essex County.
" 30th, were joined by Eliachim Ayers, wagon maker, 72 shillings per
month, and Samuel Jackson, blacksmith, 70 shillings per month.
" N. B. — The wages to commence payable to the whole after the arrival
at Willsboro ; none being engaged for a fixed time save Robert Maclane, who
is engaged for twelve months after the arrival, and George Willson, to Nov. 1st.
" 31st, embarked at Fort George for Ticonderoga with all the people and
goods in the four bateaux, and all the cattle in the vessel called the Snow Shoe,
and arrived at Saml Adams, at Sabbath Day Point, where we got the cattle on
shore and lodged all night.
" June 1st, arrived at Ticonderoga landing." ^
The 2d, 3d and 4th were spent in getting to Crown Point.
" 5th, having left the whole of the cattle there under the care of William
Luckey (except 4 oxen left at Ticonderoga with Martin Tayler and my negro
man Ireland, to haul logs to the saw-mill- in lieu of 120 boards got there, and
which were rafted down to Crown Point by E. Ayres and J. Wattson,) we pro-
ceeded the
" 7th, from Crown Point to Willsboro, the boards having overtaken us that
morning at Crown Point.
"June 8th, arrived at the mouth of the Boquet, proceeded up the river to
the falls, viewed them there with John Chislm in company, who thought it
would be impracticable to erect mills there except at vast expense.''
This fact dejected Gilliland, but the millwright's opinion was soon changed.
" June 9th, Robert Mclane and Eliakim Ayres arrived at the river Boquet
with the raft of boards, having been assisted by Moses Dickson, -tailor, who
joined us the 7th instant, at Crown Point, at 40s per mo. and be found. Pro-
ceeded in company with Robert Maclane immediately to the falls, who, having
carefully viewed their situation, gave it as his opinion, that several mills might
be erected there with much ease and small expense — which opinion was found
afterward to be well founded. We then returned to the river's mouth well sat-
isfied and, having thrown our fishing seine, we hauled in sixty large fish, being
mostly masquenonge, bass and pickerel.^
to facilitate the movements of the British armies. Otherwise, in the opinion of IMr. Watson, the route
either by Slieeneboro (Whitehall) or South Bay, would have been more convenient and economical for
Gilliland.
1 Foot of Lake George, where Abercrombie effected his disembarkations. The " Carry." is about
four miles long.
2 The outlet of Lake George furnishes excellent water power, and the French erected saw-mills
there at an early day. That mentioned by Gilliland is the one where Abercrombie made his head-
quarters during the assault on Ticonderoga.
3 Lake Champlain and all of its affluents abounded with fish in early days. (See town histories.)
Mr. Watson says : " I have been assured by the early setUers, that when they first emigrated, the sal-
mon were so abundant in some of the streams, as to render it dangerous to ride through them on a
spirited horse; I have myself seen large schools of this fish as late as the year 1824 or 1825, from the
bridge in the village of Pittsburgh. At that time they were taken by the spear and seine in great quan-
tities. They have not totally disappeared from the waters of the lake. i\Ir. Sheldon mentions a record
First Colonization. ioi
" June lOth, proceeded with the goods towards the falls and landed them
in Camp Island. Wages commencing this day to all, except William Luckey
and Martin Taylor, whose wages commenced at the time of their separation
from us on their respective employments."
The nth, and down to the 15th, were spent in clearing a road to the falls;
and in the partial erection of a house 22 by 44 feet in dimensions. The next
entry is on July lOth.
"July lOth, our four carpenters began to square timber for the mill, the
other hands being employed cutting wood for coal, clearing land, etc. All the
cattle having been brought safe from Crown Point some time ago, by four of
our people, who having swam them across the lake at Crown Point, drove them
through the woods on the east side to the ClovenJFoot, from thence we ferried
them to the Cloven Rock (Split Rock) in a scow hired from New England men
and drove them from thence through the woods to Milltown, having now given
that name to the land at the falls, four of our people, viz. : James Stockner,
John McAuley, Moses Dickson and myself, having brought our four bateaux
deeply loaded with boards and provisions from Crown Point, whilst the others
were driving the cattle.
" 19th. Begun to blow up rocks that were in the way of our mill-trough,
hdving now judged it useless to make a dam, sufficiency of water being ob-
tainable without it."
The time from the 23d of July to the 24th of August Mr. Gilliland was
absent on a trip to Montreal and Quebec, on which he was accompanied by
Rev. Mr. Henry and William Jones.
"2SthJuly, it was agreed that the following persons should go to the
meadows^ and there make hay sufficient for all- our cattle, the charges for
which to be borne by the owners of the cattle, respectively, in proportion to
the cattle they have, in which proportion they are to have their dividend of
hay, vis. :
" William Luckey, Martin* Taylor, James Stocker, mowers. Robert Ma-
cawley, John McAuley, Geo. Belton, Moses Dickson, haymakers and road-
clearers.
" Sept. 1 2th, this day, with all the above mentioned, returned from the
of five hundred being taken in a .single afternoon from the Boquet. The late venerable Levi High y
informed me that he knew, in the year 1823, of fifteen hundred pounds of salmon being taken at one
haul of a seine near his residence in Chesterfield. The pickerel of the lake is esteemed a secondary fish,
often marked by a rank muddy taste. But when transferred into the ponds of the interior, the influ-
ence of a change of water and food imparts a new character to the fish. Its shape becomes modified,
and it is transformed into a fish of exquisite flavor."
1 1 cannot determine whether the meadows referred to are the marshes created by the spring over-
flowing of the low alluvial lands upon the shores of the lake, or those formed by the labors of the
beaver, upon streams. I conjecture they were the latter. Both of these formations were of the ut-
most benefit to the pioneers in the settlement of a new country, befoi;e they were able to produce fod-
der by cultivation. ,The hay cut upon the marshes is very inferior to that cured from cultivated grasses.
Its growth upon these natural meadows is usually a coarse and harsh grass intermingled with rushes,
brakes and ferns. In places more elevated a better quality of hay is produced. — Watson.
I02 History of Essex County.
meadows, having finished the making of the company's hay, it being put up
in tramp cocks,^ as follows : —
" 1 1 tramp cocks in Elizabeth meadow.
" g " " in Little swamp meadow.
"15 " " in Cloven rock meadow.
" In all 35 tramp cocks.
"Sep. 1 8th, employed William Lawson, mason, to build a double chim-
ney in my house at Milltown.
" 19th, set out on a survey, and layed out the following lots of land be-
tween the Bouquet river and Cloven rock, and adjoining the lake."
Here follow the records and corner marks of the survey of twenty-five
lots, embracing portions of the present towns of Willsborough and Essex, which
is " inferior to no tract in the State for beauty of position, native fertility and
high culture." The records of these surveys embrace the names of the occu-
pants of many of the lots, which appear a little further on, with others.
The name " Elizabeth " has already been quoted and frequently appears in the
surveys. It refers to the site of the village, of Essex, according to the best
authorities, and was given to that locality in honor of Mr. Gilliland's wife, or
his daughter of the same name. The name of Elizabethtown, applied to an
interior town- at a later date, had the same origin. Willsborough, he derived
from his own name.
" Monday, 6th October, 1765, went in a bateau to visit my tract of land at
Cumberland Bay, in company with John Chislm, Eliakem Ayres, John Wal-
tron and James Stocker. On our passage went ashore on the 2 most western
of the four Islands.^ Found the most eastward of tliose being largest of the
4 to contain 4 or 5 acres of choice land, and the westward one is rich, but all
covered with brush, it may be about 3 acres, then passed close by Schyler's
island, 3 or Isle Chapon, which looks at a distance but dry, stony light ground,
little worth. About six in the evening, arrived at the high sandy cliffs, and
encamped there."
From this time to the 13th of October Mr. Gilliland and his companions,
were engaged in explorations outside of the province of this work to describe.
Continuing, the journal says : —
"Returned home the 13th of October, and employed my time from now
to 31st Oct., in laying out lots, filling leases, and settling accounts with the
people, and gave the following leases, viz. :
1 The term " tramp cocks " might, have remained obscure but for the fact that Mr. Watson dis-
covered in Stevens's .5oo^ ij/" ^//<f Ah-ot the term " trampled picks." These were doubtless identical
with the hay-stacks of the present, which are trampled down while building. Such were undoubtedly
Gilliland's " tramp cocks."
2 A group of four beautiful islands near_the middle of the lake and now known as the Four Brothers.
^This island lies near the western shore of the lake opposite Douglas bay. Tradition ascribes its
name to the circumstance that John Schuyler encamped his forces there in 1690.
First Colonization. 103
"John Chism, Lot No. i, (number of acres in each case left blank); Robt.
McLane, Lot No. 2 ; Robt. McAwley, Lot No. 4 ; John King and G. Hicks,
; George Wilson, Lot No. 23 ; George Belton, Lot No. 24; Wil-
liam Luckey, Lot No. 25 ; Mires Dixon, Lot No. 26 ; Martin Tayler, Lot No.
27 ; Ehakim Ayres, Lot No. 28."
These are among the lots surveyed by Mr. Gilliland, as before alluded to.
In the survey he speaks of lots 24 and 25, taken by Belton and Luckey, as
having been named by them " Little Britain."
" November 4th. This day I give possession to the lessees, Ayres, Tay-
lor, Dixon, Chislm, McLane, McAwley, Wilson, Belton and Luckey. I pro-
ceeded to Crown Point, where I engaged prov. for my settlement until sum-
mer next and then continued my journey to New York, where I arrived the
20th of November.''
The journal, during Mr. Gilliland's absence, is in his writing, and was
probably made up from memoranda of his half brother, James Watson, who
was designated by Gilliland as his steward; he is undoubtedly the "J. W."
mentioned. There is little of importance recorded until the following : —
" 27th Feb. This day J. W. returned from Crown Point having brought i
bbl. rum, i bbl. molasses, and i bbl. pork from thence to Sloop Island, whence
it was brought by a sleigh and pair from C. Point which was obliged to insure
at 50 pounds. Ayres and King had been for several days absent, some
thought they were hunting, others thought they ran off.
" 28th Feb., this day Luckey, Hicks and Taylor, — but word being come up
that Ayres and King were returned, those 3 went to them.
" 1st March. This morning Ayres, King, Hicks, Luckey and Taylor
came up to J. W. all armed ; and offering back the goods they had bought
and used, and made a charge of 6s per day and victuals for their labor, insist-
ed in getting their notes up for that they now determined to quit the settle-
ment, and if he did not comply with this their offer they would take their all
with them. He then set off privately for Crown Point on March 3d. On the
night of the 4th returned with 6 soldiers, lay all night at George Belton's,
there he got intelligence that all were gone off.^
" 5th March. Set out from G. Belton's for Milltown, found G. Hicks'
house locked up. At Ayres' found all their cattle ready shod, brought all the
cattle home and marked them W. G., leaving a guard over Ayres' house least
Mrs. Ayres or Mrs. Hicks should run away with intelligence after the fellows,
who were but a little way off. Made immediate pursuit after the fellows from
Ayres to Bay Perrow[Perue, or Willsborough Bay] we soon came up with a large
1 It is evident from this resort to the military arm that no civil jurisdiction had been extended to this
remote settlement. All power seems to have been exercised by Gilliland, and his government was
usually almost patriarchal, although we shall meet with some singular exhibitions of arbitrary authori-
ty, which, however, the circumstances probably justified. These difficulties occurred during his ab-
sence, by which his influence had become diminished. — Watson.
104 History of Essex County.
chest ; about half way from the river to the bay found the ox sleigh well load-
ed, proceeded on to within i-2 mile of the bay, where found Mr. Ayres and
Geo. Hicks, returning, after sending the others off; here discovered Hicks,
proceeded to the bay, but could not see any of the others, they made quite
off; then returned and brought all the goods home this night."
Thus did Mr. Gilliland or his steward take the law into their own hands to
capture and retain escaping tenants. For the next five weeks little of import-
ance was recorded.
"April 14th, this day sent 3 hands to raise R. McAwley's house.
" 15 th April, sent to Crown Point for prov's, and got 4 barrels of flour and
5 firkins butter — all condemned. Mr. Chism staid behind ; the others ret'd
the 19th, at this time the runaway settlers came for their wives, and our red
cow with white face died, having loss'd an old white cow the 23d March.
" 19th May, this day J. W. set out for to meet me, which he did at Still-
water, and finding me sick and unable to travel, he returned with Nehemiah
Smith, his wife, son and daughter, Arch'd McLaughlin, blacksmith, Catharine
Welsh and Betsey Williams, who all arrived at Willsboro, 4 June.
" lOth June, J. Watson set out again for Ticonderoga, where he met me,
and returned to Willsboro, the 15th, with stores, &c.
" Sunday, 22d June, about i o'clock this day, I William Gilliland, with my
wife, Mrs. Eliz. Gilliland, my mother, Mrs. Jane Gilliland, my sister. Miss
Charity Gilliland, my brother Mr. James Gilliland, my daughter Miss Eliz.
Gilliland, my neice Miss Eliz. Hamilton, my servant girl Rachel McFardin,
and my negro man Ireland, all arrived at Milltown, in Willsborough, with 2
Bateau loads of stores, having left New York with 22 wagon loads of stores,
furniture, &c., on the 28th of April last."
Succeeding this entry Mr. Gilliland gives an account of the journey from
Ne\if York, his own illness and the catastrophe which caused the death of his
daughter Jane, aged six years, by drowning in the Hudson river near Still-
water, through the capsizing of a bateau. The remains were buried at Still-
water on the 1 2th of May. Under entry of June 22d, he says : —
" 22d June, proceeded on our journey, and arrived in Milltown, in Wills-
boro. Mrs. Eliz. Gilliland my spouse being the first lady of our family that
landed in Willsborough."
A nota bena added to this entry says : " Let it be remembered that Samuel
Jackson, blacksmith, run away from Willsboro the loth of March, 1766.
Robert McLane, and George Wilson, quit my employ the 2d, June, 1766, and
went off, the former enticed away my bound servant maid Mary Craig. She
being great with child to him. Whilst at Crown Point I accidentally met with
William Luckey, who I had taken on my warrant for debt and brought him
prisoner to Willsborough (Robert McAuley, constable), when after reflecting
how much he was in my power he agreed to serve me for the amount of his
First Colonization. 105
debt and commenced in my employ on the — June, 1766, at 45s. per mo. or
25 pounds per annum being days after I arrived here.^
" 23 June, from this time I continued in an indifferent state of health, some-
times better, sometimes worse, to Aug. — employed my hands, some making a
fence round the garden, some going to Crown Point for prov's, some enclosing
a yard in front of the house, one t'other side of the trough, making a bum
proof &c. &c. to the
" 14th July, then sent my men to the meadows to make hay."
During September the commission to fix the boundary between New York
and Quebec, consisting of " Sir Henry Moore, governor of New York, Gene-
ral Carlton, governor of Quebec province and brigadier-general of the district,
Philip Schuyler, esq., Robert Harper, esq., Charles Fredenburg, formerly a
captain, Carlton, esq., nephew to General Carlton, and Mr. John Mc-
Kesson, attorney," - accomplished their task. Mr. Gilliland met the party at
Crown Point (the first four of whom constituted the commission proper), and
he notes the fact that on the 2d of September he was invited by governor
Moore to "become one at his table, which I accepted." It will readily be
conceived that Mr. Gilliland was of great service to this commission, beyond
the mere courtesy of aiding them in their transportation ; for his knowledge
of the region was probably more definite at that time than that of any other
person. On the 6th of September he records the incident that he " forewarned
Charles Fredenburgh, esq., against trespassing on my lands opposite Isle Val-
cour, in the presence of both governors Schyler, Mr. Carlton and Mr. Harper."
Under date of September 20th we find the following : —
" 20th Sept., this day Sir Henry Moore, Colonel Reid, Philip Schyler, Rob-
ert Harper and Adolphus Benzel, esq's, called and drank tea, &c., with us on
their return from Astronomer's Island, having completed their observation
to satisfaction, and fixed the line about three miles to the northward of Wind-
mill Point."
When the commission acting under the treaty of Ghent established the
boundary between the British and American possessions, this line was found
to be erroneous, and the acturacy of the original French survey established.
The line as laid in 1766 was restored by the Webster and Ashburton treaty.
iTo this entry Mr. Watson adds the following interesting observations : " This singular incident ex-
hibits the energy and decision which are such marked features in the character of Gilliland, and which
enabled him to conduct so successfully the trying scenes of his colonization. It is of interest, also, as
it reveals the arbitrary means by which power was exercised in the remote settlements of the country
at that early period. We have seen the steward invoking the military arm for protection from the acts
of insubordinate tenants, and making seizure of their cattle without the pretense of any civil process.
No political organization existed a hundred years ago on the banks of Lake Champlain, There is not
the slightest allusion in this journal or elsewhere to the presence of courts or magistrates. Gilliland
bore with him a commission as justice of the peace, on his return from the south. No gaol could then
have existed at Willsborough. We have no evidence of any authority being exerted in this transaction
except force, and such was probably in similar circumstances uniformly exercised. Yet the remedy
used was evidently effective and seems to have promoted substantial justice."
2 From the jfournal.
io6 History of Essex County.
" 2d December, the saw-mill stopped as was the turning-mill some days
ago, good walking on the ice to the mouth of the river."
That Mr. Gilliland and his tenantry were not indisposed to enjoy them-
selves when they could is shown by the following entry : —
" Willsboro, January 1st, 1767. This day we had a shooting match at
John Chism's. I won two matches, Mr. James Thompson won i, and John
McElrea, won i match."
Through the spring the Journal is made up almost entirely of records of
the progress of the work on the lands, and need not be followed in detail.
" i6th February, got our hay and the Bateaux brought by oxen across
Eliz. Bay to Eliz. Point and hailed up on the bank, went Vith R. McAuley, to
Willson and Goodrich's house in Burton to take an acct. of their effects in the
hands of their manager Wm. Hulme, which we did, they having broke up their
settlement and discharged their said Steward. We took 2 sleighs loaded with
the most valuable goods to the Messrs. McAuley's house, the sleighs being
drawn by Hulme's men."
This is another example of Gilliland's methods of dealing with those who
were not faithful to their trust. The " Burton " mentioned was an agency estab-
lished by Willson and Goodrich at Flat Rock bay. Their tract comprised 2,000
acres north of the Boquet, patented to James Ross. In February Mr. Gilliland
made a survey from "the sandy beach on Pine Point to the Cloven Rock,"
which was followed by numerous others in that month and March, both in the
present Essex and in Clinton county. These will be found recorded in full in
Mr. Watson's work before mentioned ; but they are not now of sufficient im-
portance to warrant their reproduction here. On the 14th of March appears
the following quaint record : — >
" 14th, very cold clear weather. This day Mr. John McAuley acted as
Vendue master in the sale of the carcass, hide and tallow of George Hicks'
cow which was accidentally killed by an ox in the stall a few days ago, the sale
was as follows, viz. : —
"John Chism, i fore quarter of beef,
" Nehemiah Smith, i hind quarter at .
" And I fore quarter at
" William Gilliland, esq., i hind quarter at
" And I cow and 1 calf skin at
" I head and tallow at
;^ 2 2 3
" Vendue master charges viz. :
" Advertise the day of sale the three most publick
places in Willsborough, £ 5
" Commission on sale at 5 per ct. 2 i
7 I
h Ss
■s
12
3
s
3
10
3
7
3
2
3
First Conolization. 107
" Net proceeds to be paid to William Gilliland at
Willsborough, for account of Geo. Hicks, £ i- 15 2. "
The frequent appearance of new names throughout this Journal are some-
thing of an indication of the gradual growth of the settlement, which must have
been considerable.
" 19th March. This forenoon he (Robt. McAuley) came with the mare,
and Mr. Logan on his horse. Yesterday and to-day we had pleasant weather,
fine sleighing across the lake ; this afternoon we went down the river and round
Chism's Point to R. McAuley's on the ice. This day the Mr. McAuleys be-
gun to draw logs for themselves to the sawmill, and this day Smith and Burke
began to clear on my mother's lot."
It is said that the horse mentioned here is was the first one introduced into
Gilliland's colony.
"April 1st, the wetness of this afternoon hurried me home (from a survey-
ing expedition) to Milltown in order to have my trough secured, least the flood
might injure it in case the river should break up. On my arrival found a con-
siderable flood in the river, though not half broke up, the snow almost all off
the cleared land.
" May 5th, John and James Young, James Gilliland and his wife and Anne
Hussey arrived this day from New York.
" 7th, went with the Youngs to view their land ; they like the tract much.
" 1 8th, went with the Youngs to lay out lots which they made choice of,
and engaged from me at 12s. per acre, I giving each of them 50 acres at i
pound sterling per acre forever, viz. — John Young's lot begins at a Pine tree
standing at the edge of the lake on Cape Elizabeth (being William McAuley's
S. E. tree) and runs from thence W. 147 1-2 ch., then S. 18 ch., then east to the
lake, and along the lake to the place of beginning, containing 265 acres of land.
James Young's tract begins at Elizabeth Sandy Point, and runs thence W. 139
ch., S. 21 ch., east to Lake Champlain, and along the lake as it runs to the
place of beginning, containing 264 acres of land. Interest to be paid after the
expiration of 12 mos. from this date."
The last entry that occurs in the Journal in anything like regular order is
that of June 2d, below. From that time on, the annals of the colony and the
personal history of Gilliland must be made out in the light of tradition and the
public documents, which will be alluded to.
"June 2d, planted the following; muskmelons,, shaped 20th July; rad-
ishes, lettuce, tong grass, parsley, savory, celeri, late cabbages, mustard, leeks and
onions ; they all came up very short, owing I believe to dry weather."
The next entry is under date of July iSth, 1772, and records a public sale,
under the following interesting heading: "Agreeable to Advertisement pub-
lished and put up at the house of Eliakan Ayres, the sale of said Ayres' farm
and effects is that day brought on at his late house, for immediate payment in
io8 History of Essex County.
ready money, produce or work equivalent, viz., etc." One of tlie items in the
charges of the "Vendue master," and which would scarcely be acknowledged
in these days as a legitimate charge against the proceeds of the sale, was "rum
at the vendue, ;^o 2 O."
Here occurs a break of nearly three years in the Journal a period which
witnessed great changes in the vicinity of Gilliland's colony and the birth of
portentous events throughout the country. The little colony on the lake had
grown apace ; lands were rapidly cleared and improved and everything betok-
ened the steady advancement of the community in all the arts of peace ; while set-
tlers were beginning to locate at other points along the lake from Ticonderoga
(which see) to Canada. The progress of Mr. Gilliland's colony down to the
spring of 1775 is attested by the formation of a local organization comprising
the inhabitants, who bound themselves together by a somewhat remarkable
covenant, which is here quoted. It appears from the writings of Mr. Watson
that he considered this covenant to be the possible forerunner of other political
measures on the part of Gilliland and his leading neighbors, looking to the es-
tablishment of some sort of separate province, or government, of which he
should be the head ; or that it at least had a deeper and more important purpose
than appears on its face. Whether or not this is the fact, it is still more prob-
able that another scheme, in which Gilliland and the Elder Skeene were the
principal figures, had already been agitated, and which might have had an ex-
tended influence upon the politics of the country. It contemplated the organ-
ization of a new province, the limits of which were to extend from the St.
Lawrence to the Connecticut, and from Canada on the north to an indefinite
southern boundary. Skeene, then the possessor of large landed estates at
Skeenesboro and other points in the vicinity of Lake Champlain, was to be made
governor of the projected province, and Crown Point the capital. In support
of this view Mr. Watson says in a foot note : " William Gilliland, the son of the
pioneer, who at the commencement of the Revolution was a boy of fourteen, and
died at Salmon river in 1847, assured Mr. Sheldon that this project was a theme
of frequent conversation with his father. That he had often himself- read the
corres^Dondence between Skeene and his father on the subject, and that he had
letters of Skeene still in his possession. Mr. Gilliland, who was a gentleman of
great intelligence, engaged to find the letters and submit them to Mr. Sheldon,
but he soon after died without having opportunity to fulfill the engagement.
With the permission and aid of the Messrs. Gilliland, who reside at Salmon
river, on the original estate (1863), I have carefully examined the family pa-
pers, but found no trace of these documents. I learn that on the death of the
younger Gilliland a portion of his papers passed into the hands of another mem-
ber of the family, and I have been unable to procure a further trace of them."
If such a plan was seriously contemplated by men occupying such stations
in their localities as were held by Gilliland and Skeene, and had been consum-
First Colonization. 109
mated at a time when the controversy between Vermont and New York was
at its height, the consequences might have been momentous. Following is
the covenant of the people of Willsborough : —
"WILLSBORO, MARCH 17TH, 1775.
"We the subscribers, inhabitants of Willsboro, finding it necessary to make
regulations concerning roads, fences, bridges, and hogs, have this day assem-
bled for that purpose, and have entered into the following resolves. To be
binding on us respectively, by every tie of honor and honesty, for the space of
twelve months from this date, and also to be equally binding on such other
persons as may become inhabitants of this settlement during the said term,
which resolves are entered upon by a majority of votes. '^
" First, concerning roads, it is thought necessary the roads should be two
rods wide, but for the present year only to be made as the overseers shall think
sufficient. The owners to clear the wood off his own lot for one road as far as
the road goes on his lot.
"Secondly — it is resolved, that the road so far as it may pass through
land not taken up shall be made in the manner before mentioned ; also the
bridges to be made of good lasting timber and such banks as must be dug
away, shall be done by the settlement in general. Each man assisting thereat
faithfully, who are capable thereof, on being thereunto named by the overseers.
" Thirdly — resolved, that as to bridges it is necessary to build one across
Mr. McAuley's creek ; one across the gully, one across Plum creek ; oae across
Mr. Ithamer Day's creek, and the bank be dug away; one across Armstrong
and McGinniss brook, one across the two brooks .of George Brymers, and one
across a small brook opposite to Mr. George Belton's house ; also that the
road from Mr. Belton's to Mr. Gilliland's saw-mill shall be kept open and
passable at the general charge as above ; the whole to be done next fall as the
overseers shall direct ; and such persons as shall fail or neglect to perform
their part shall pay such other person or persons as shall be hired at five
shillings per day, and that neither gates or bars shall obstruct the said road.
" Fourth — as to fences, resolved, that if any damage shall be committed
by small or large cattle on the land or lots of those whose fences are five feet
high and otherwise close and strong, the same shall be paid by the owner
of said cattle according as the overseers, of the fences shall apprize, providing
that hogs shall be yoked from the first of July, to the middle of October with
good and sufficient yokes.
" Also that the roads shall be laid out betwixt this time and next fall by
the overseers assisted by Mr. Gilliland.
1 Here is the essence of a democratic and representative government. The majority control, malce
laws, and levy taxes, and those who voluntarily become members of the community are to be governed
by tliis action. The identity of spirit and almost of language in tliis humble compact, and the memor-
able pledge \\hich, scarcely a year later, linked together an heroic band of patriots, is somewhat re-
mar'<able. — Watson's PioncL-r Hist. Champlain Valley.
no History of Essex County.
" And as jio deer catching, resolved, that the owners of such good dogs as
shall be employed in deer catching shall have one share and half, and each man
one share, and such inhabitants as choose to join shall be admitted.
" And, lastly, that it is resolved, that Mr. Gilliland shall be moderator, and
Mr. Jotham Gardner town clerk, and Mr. Thomas Day and Mr. Martin Arm-
strong overseers of the road, fences and cattle.
" To the foregoing we the subscribers do hereunto set our hands the day
and date just above written.
" Will Gilliland.
"Thomas Day.
" Martin Armstrong.
" Ebenezer White.
" George Bremmers.
" George Belton.
" William Wykes.
" Nathaniel Blood.
" Jonathan Flint.
" Thomas Day.
" William Cammeron.
" Jotham Gardner.
" Jacob Gardner."
This impressive early document is followed by a list of the " ear marks" /.
e., the brands and slittings of the ears of animals which designated the prop-
erty of one settler from that of another.
" 14th June, 1775. Wm. Hay engages 100 acres of land to the southward
of his present lot. Nathan Nichols engages 300 acres of land for himself to the
southward of and adjoining to Wm. Hay's land. Also engages all the land
between the farms of Henry Cross and John Byantum. Henry Cross engages
100 acres of land for himself to the southward of his present lot; Wm. Gilli-
land reserves for his daughter 200 acres of land to the southward of Henry
Cooper's lot. John Byantum has engaged 200 acres at Monty's Chantier.''
We now find a record of the first town meeting of Willsborough,the proceed-
ings of which convey the presumption that the inhabitants were satisfied with
the working of their governmental compact of the preceding year and purposed
to continue and extend its operations : —
"Town meeting held by the inhabitants of Willsboro the 9th day of April,
1776.
"The majority hath made choice of Mr. Thomas Day for moderator,
and Jotham Gardner clerk, and Joseph Flint and James Leonard overseers,
with the same power the overseers had the preceding year, which majority
hath agreed that the road shall be opened and made passable for carriages
from Joseph Flint's to the mouth of the river, and a bridge made across White
creek.
Preparing for the Revolution. i i i
"The following persons not having subscribed their names the last year,
have hereunto subscribed their names.
"John Grant.
"John Dugnis.
"Thomas Leonard.
" Robert McAuley.
" John Wilson.
his
" Harel X Leech.
mark
" Jonathin Day.
" George Corull.
" Israel Day.
" Done at Willsboro the day and date above mentioned, by order of the
moderator.
"Jotham Gardner, Town Clerk."
The succeeding records of Mr. Gilliland, the first of which is a memorial
addressed to Congress in 1777, immediately precede and belong to the period
that witnessed the downfall of his fortunes and changed the close of his life
from its early prosperous and peaceful character to a sad and romantic tragedy.
These records will be further referred to in the proper order.
While this work of'Colonization was prospering in the northern part of the
county, Samuel Deall, also a New York merchant and possessing many char-
acteristics, natural and acquired, in common with those of Gilliland, was mak-
ing a similar effort on the outlet of Lake George in the town of Ticonderoga.
As his enterprise was restricted entirely to that town, its details are reserved
for the town history. These two colonization, or settlement, enterprises show
that long previous to the outbreak of the Revolution the territory of Essex
county was the scene of many peaceful homes.
CHAPTER XI.
preparing for the revolution.
The "New Hampshire Grants" Controversy — Its Final Settlement — Oppressive Acts of Parlia-
ment towards the Colonists — Taxation for Revenue — The "Sons of Liberty" — The Stamp Act —
Its Final Repeal — Custom House Act — Retaliation on English Trade — The Liberty Pole Attack —
Skirmish in the Streets — First Bloodshed of the Revolution.
LET us now turn for a moment from the peaceful scenes as we have reviewed
them at and around Willsborough, to the important events occurring else-
where in the country between the peace of 1763 and the outbreak of the great
struggle that gave America her independence. In the year just mentioned
112 History of Essex County.
the boundary line between New York and New Hampshire became the sub-
ject of much controversy. The territory in dispute was what is now com-
prised in the State of Vermont, lying between the Connecticut river and Lake
Champlain. Controversies had previously arisen, growing out of the indefi-
nite character of their charters, between New York, Massachusetts and Con-
necticut; but the boundaries were finally adjusted by negotiation and compro-
mise. The line between these States was fixed upon as extending north and
south twenty miles east of the Hudson river. New Hampshire, regardless of
justice or title, insisted upon a continuation of this lijie as her western bound-
ary, and by the year 1763 her governor had issued one hundred and thirty-
eight townships in grants to settlers. Against all this New York entered vig-
orous protest, and in December of the year named Governor Colden issued a
proclamation claiming jurisdiction to the Connecticut river and commanded
the. sheriff of Albany county to return the names of all persons who, by virtue
of the New Hampshire grants, had taken possession of lands west of the Con-
necticut river. This was followed by a counter-proclamation by the governor
of New Hampshire. In the following year the question was referred to the
crown and a decision rendered that the Connecticut river should form the
boundary between New York and New Hampshire. Thereupon the govern-
ment of New York declared the grants by New Hampshire illegal, and insisted
that the settlers on those grants should either surrender or re-purchase the
lands. This demand was opposed by the settlers, whereupon the New York
government granted the land to others, who obtained judgments in their favor
by bringing ejectment suits in Albany.
Although carrying us out of chronological order in recording events, the
conclusion of this controversy may as well be detailed here. The civil officers
of New York were opposed by force in their attempts to eject the settlers and
the New York Assembly passed an act declaring such resistance to be felony.
A proclamation was issued, also, by Governor Tryon, who succeeded Lord
Dunmore (Colden's successor) in 1771, offering a reward for the apprehension
of Ethan Allen and other conspicuous offenders. This was followed by a
burlesque proclamation offering a reward for the arrest of the governor of
New York. The matter neared a crisis in the spring of 1775, when New
York sought to establish courts in the disputed territory ; the officers were
prevented from entering the court-house, upon which they collected a force,
fired into the building, killing one man and wounding others. Some of the
officers were then arrested and lodged in jail. The Revolutionary outbreak
caused a cessation of these disputes; but in 1777 the inhabitants of the dis-
puted territory held a convention at Windsor and declared the " grants " an
independent State with the name of Vermont. They at the same time ad-
dressed a petition to Congress setting forth their motives for action and asking
admission to the confederacy of independent States and seats for delegates to
Preparing for the Revolution. 113
Congress. This petition was disposed of by resolutions, one of which declared
" that the independent government attempted to be established by the people
styling. themselves the inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants can derive no
countenance or justification from the act of Congress declaring the united col-
onies to be independent of the crown of Great Britain, nor from any other act
or resolution of Congress." The discord was revived and so antagonistic
to New York and the colonial authorities at large did the settlers on the grants
become, that it is believed they secretly negotiated with the British to become
a colony under the crown ; this feature of the controversy will be hereafter
alluded to. After the ratification of the Articles of Confederation, in 1781,
Congress offered to admit the new State, but with curtailed boundaries ; this
offer was rejected and for ten years it remained outside of the Union. Finally
on the loth of January, 1791, a convention at Bennington adopted the national
constitution, and Vermont, having agreed to pay to the State of New York
$30,000 for territory claimed by that State, was admitted to the Union.
During the progress of these events and those described in the last chapter
the British parliament continued its arbitrary and oppressive course towards
the American colonists. But the time arrived when unquestioning submission
to such measures could no longer be exacted. The people were heavily bur-
dened with the expenses of the late war, the results of which gave to England
a large extent of territory ; yet, almost before the smoke of the battles had
cleared away, the English ministry began devising plans to tax them for a rev-
enue without their consent. In 1764 a proposition was submitted to the House
of Commons for raising revenue in the colonies by the sale of stamps. Con-
trary to promises the stamp act was passed in March, 1765. By its provisions
no legal or commercial documents were valid unless made upon stamped paper,
upon which a price was placed according to the nature of the document. This
act was bitterly denounced throughout the colonies and particularly in New
York, and resistance determined upon. The "Sons of Liberty " were organ-
ized and meetings held to devise plans of opposition to the obnoxious act. On
the 7th of October a convention of delegates from the different colonies was
held in New York city and continued in session two weeks. A declaration of
rights was adopted and petitions and memorials sent to parliament, in which
the principles that governed the colonies during the Revolution were clearly
foreshadowed.
The stamp act was to take effect on the first of November ; but as the date
drew near excitement increased, and on that day flags hung at half-mast, bells
were tolled and other funeral demonstrations made. Governor Colden became
alarmed and refused to issue any of the stamped paper, leaving the ugly duty
to his successor, Sir Henry Moore, then on his way from England. The new
governor soonjsaw the folly of attempting to oppose the will of the people in
that direction. The final result was the destruction of a large quantity of the
114 History of Essex County.
odious paper by the Sons of Liberty and the repeal of the act in March, 1766.
This action was not, however, due to the good will of parliament, nor to the
appeals of the colonists, but to the solicitations of London merchants who had
been deprived of their American trade through a union of colonial merchants
who pledged themselves to cease importations from England.
Rejoicing over the repeal of the Stamp Act had scarcely died away, when
parliament again stirred up discontent among the colonists by other unjust and
oppressive acts. The Assembly was called upon by the governor to concede
to the demands of the ministry in furnishing supplies for the soldiers in New
York city ; this created a good deal of animosity and led to hostility between
the Sons of Liberty and the troops. The Assembly, moreover, subsequently
refused to comply with the request of the ministry to make provision for the
soldiers, for which action parliament declared the legislative powers of the As-
sembly annulled.
In 1767 a bill was passed by parliament imposing a duty on tea, glass,
lead, paper and painters' colors imported into the colonies. This action caused
renewed excitement, and in the following year the Assembly of Massachusetts
addressed a circular to the other colonies soliciting their co-operation in de-
fending the common liberties. This so offended the ministry that a letter was
sent to the colonial governors forbidding their assemblies to correspond with
that of Massachusetts. This mandate was absolutely opposed and disobeyed,
with declarations on the part of the New York Assembly of its inherent rights
in the case, denunciations of parliament and other evidences of refraction ;
the Assembly was thereupon dissolved by the governor. But the people sus-
tained their representatives and returned most of them to the new Assembly
of 1799.
The English merchants who were suffering from the non-importation
agreement of the American dealers now joined their petitions to those of the
colonists for the repeal of the obnoxious custom-house act. A circular letter
assured the people in response that the duties should be removed at the next
session of parliament on all articles except tea. This was something, but the
principle of the right of the mother country to tax the colonies remained, and
the promises of parliament were far from satisfactory. Animosity and hos-
tility, moreover, continued between the soldiery and the Sons of Liberty.
Arrangements having been perfected by which the soldiers' supplies were
guaranteed, coming, too, largely from the resources of the colonists, the troops
still did not hesitate to make manifest their disdain for, and hostihty towards,
the people. On the evening of the 2d of January, 1769, they made their sec-
ond assault on the liberty pole of the Sons of Liberty in New York, and
charged upon the opposing citizens, drove a party of them into a tavern which
was a popular resort, and broke in the windows and destroyed the furniture.
On the evening of the i6th they sawed down the pole, cut it in pieces and
From 1770 to 1775. 115
piled them in front of the obnoxious hotel. A resolution of the citizens fol-
lowed, to the effect that all soldiers found in the streets after roll-call should be
dealt with as enemies to the peace of the city. This resolution was ridiculed
in handbills posted by the soldiers, and two or three of the latter were arrested
in the act of posting them. While conducting the soldiers to the mayor's of-
fice, the citizens were attacked by a party of twenty troops and a skirmish en-
sued in which several citizens, some of whom had not participated in the
melee, were wounded. Other affrays occurred the next day, in which the
soldiers generally got the worst of it. The mayor then issued a proclamation
forbidding them to leave their barracks unless in company of a non-com-
missioned officer, and order was partially restored.
It is commonly held that the battle of Lexington was the first conflict of
the Revolutionary struggle. But, although this skirmish in the streets of New
York may be looked upon as a comparatively insignificant affair, still there was
bloodshed, and it was the actual beginning of the great conflict, five years be-
fore the guns of Lexington were heard.
CHAPTER XIL
FROiM 1770 TO 1775.
Governor Colden's Successor — Old Troubles Renewed — A Large Cup of Tea — Congress and
its Declaration of Rights — Impending War — The British March to Lexington — Paul Revere's Ride
— The Battle on the Green — Retreat of the British — Preparations . for the Capture of Crown Point
and Ticonderoga — ■ Ethan Allen's Command — Arnold's Arrival and its Consequences — Plan of the
Expedition — Capture of Ticonderoga — Surrender of Crown Point — Reassembling of Congress — Con-
gressional Vacillation — Allen and Arnold's Naval Exploit — Indian Action in the Revolution — The
Canadian Invasion — Montgomery's Initial Movements — Allen's Capture — Carleton's Plan for Relief
of St. Johns — Its Failure — Capture of St. Johns and Montreal by Montgomery — Arnold's Wonder-
ful Expedition — Montgomery Before Quebec — Demand for its Surrender, and the Reply — Mont-
gomery's Death and the Failure of the Attack — A Disastrous Retreat — Charlotte County Created —
Militia Affairs.
IN October, 1770, Lord Dunmore succeeded Golden as governor and
brought with him royal approval of the act authorizing the issue of col-
onial bills of credit. The duties had, meanwhile, been removed from all arti-
cles except tea. Colonial affairs were going on more smoothly. On the i8th
of July, 1771, William Tryon was commissioned governor and Lord Dun-
more transferred to Virginia. The old differences finally again came to the
surface. The East India Company, having suffered severely through the im-
position of the American duty on tea, petitioned parliament in 1773 to abol-
ish the tax, offering at the same time to submit to double the amount of that
ii6 History of Essex County.
duty as an exportation tarifif. This was refused, but, instead, the ministry-
agreed to favor the company by a special act allowing them to ship their teas
to the American colonies free of duty as an export, while still enforcing the
importation duty ; in other words the determination was clearly shown that
the assumed right to tax the colonists in any way, or all ways, was not to be
relinquished under any circumstances. The India company now loaded their
ships with teas, appointed consignees for their reception and expected a ready
sale at the low prices that could now be made. Their reckoning failed. The
Sons of Liberty met and resolved that the obnoxious article should not be
landed in the province under any pretense. The tea commissioners, in sub-
mission to the popular will, resigned. The first cargo arrived off Sandy Hook
in April, 1774, whence the pilot, acting under his instructions from the vigil-
ance committee, refused to bring the ship to port. In the mean time Captain
Chambers, of another vessel, a professed patriot, sailed his ship into the har-
bor. When threats were made of a purpose to search his cargo, he admitted
that he had tea on board, which he had brought over as a private venture.
His chests were thereupon hoisted on deck and given a salt water plunge bath:
The vessels were sent on return voyages. In the mean time a cargo of tea had
arrived in Boston harbor ; the vessel was boarded by the patriotic sons of that
city and the chests emptied into the sea.
The English ministry were now so enraged at the outcome of the tea tariff,
in connection with other measures of resistance, or disloyalty, as it was there
termed, that they resolved at once to subjugate the country. One of the steps
towards this end was the adoption of the infamous " Boston Port Bill," the
purpose of which was to practically close the Boston harbor and thus destroy
the trade of the city. The people throughout the colonies were in earnest
sympathy with their Massachusetts friends, aware that similar ruinous measures
might be in store for themselves. Public meetings were held for the consider-
ation of the common grievances and among movements for protection, the res-
toration of the non-importation agreement was urged and the assembling of a
colonial congress.
A -congress was called and met on the 5 th of September, 1774, adopted a
declaration of rights, and agreed upon a petition to the king and an appeal to
the people of Great Britain and Canada. An adjournment was then taken
until the following May. The New York Assembly was the only one that did
not sanction these congressional proceedings ; but instead addressed a remon-
strance to parliament, which was, of course, treated with disdain. 1
The New York Assembly adjourned on the 3d of April, 1775, and never
met again. Its refusal to appoint delegates to the congress gave much dissat-
1 On the I2th of January, 1775, at a cabinet council, it was declared there was nothing in the pro-
ceedings of congress that afforded any basis for an honorable reconciliation. It was therefore resolved
to break off all commerce with the Americans ; to protect the loyalists in the colonies ; and to declare
all others to be traitors and rebels. — Lossi.ng.
From 1770 to 1775.- 117
isfaction, and a provincial convention of county representatives was called by
the people to perform that duty.
The Americans had long felt their critical condition and foresaw that an
appeal to arms must, doubtless, follow. A quantity of military stores had
been collected by them at Concord, Mass. To destroy these General Gage
sent a detachment of British regulars on the i8th of April, 1775, from Bos-
ton, where he had between three thousand and four thousand troops. But
Paul Revere made his famous ride to Concord and aroused the people to the
menaced incursion ; and when, early on the following morning, the detach-
ment reached Lexington, they found the militia drawn up on the public
green. The British officer ordered them to disperse ; but the order was not
heeded, and the regulars fired. Eight of the " minute men " were killed and
several wounded ; the remainder were dispersed and the British pressed on to
Concord. There the militia had gathered from all direction ; the stores were
secreted and the invaders were given a warm reception, causing them to re-
treat. As they fell back towards Lexington they were disastrously harassed
by the colonists, who killed many of their number, shooting from behind
fences, buildings and trees. It is probable that the whole detachment might
have been cut off, but for the fact that reinforcements met them near Lexing-
ton ; but the retreat was continued and many more regulars fell by the sharp
shooting of the citizens. The whole country was aroused and the Revolution
was begun in earnest.
The next event of importance, and one that bears directly upon the histo-
ry of Essex county and Lake Champlain, was the capture of Ticonderoga and
Crown Point. General Frederick Haldimand had been left in command of
these points. He had already announced to the British government in 1773
that the fort at Crown Point was entirely destroyed, while that at Ticonderoga
was in a " ruinous condition," and that both could not " cover fifty men in
winter." Ethan Allen, who had been conspicuous in his opposition to New
York in the New Hampshire grants trouble, and was declared an outlaw, and
a hundred and fifty pounds offered for his arrest, was one of the brave spirits
who first took up arms against the oppression of Great Britain. He was found
at Bennington by the force which had been collected in Connecticut and Mas-
sachusetts with the design of descending upon the works at the two fortified
points on Lake Champlain. The expedition numbered about forty volunteers
when it reached Bennington, where Allen's powerful influence and enthusiastic
assistance were secured. On the 7th of May a band of brave men number-
ing two hundred and seventy (all but forty-six being " Green Mountain boys,"
as Allen's followers were termed) had assembled at Castleton. At this inop-
portune time Benedict Arnold appeared on the scene, bearing a commission
from the Massachusetts committee of safety, dated May 3d, clothing him with
authority to effect the same purpose for which the other force was destined.
ii8 History of Essex County.
A conflict for the command ensued, which was finally terminated by the re-
fusal of the volunteers to march except under command of Allen. Arnold
reluctantly accompanied the expedition as second in command.
Noah Phelps, one of the Massachusetts committee, entered the fort at Ti-
conderoga in pretended quest of a barber, and thus gained definite knowledge
of its condition. Captain Herrick was ordered to Skeenesborough whence,
after the capture of the younger Skeene and the stores there accumulated, he
was to join Allen at Ticonderoga. Douglas was ordered to Panton to secure
boats for transportation of the force. The committees of Albany and New
York appear to have declined any part in these operations.
Allen's force marched with as much secrecy as possible to the eastern shore
of the lake, posted pickets on all roads leading to Ticonderoga, to cut off pos-
sible conveyance to the fort of intelligence of the movement, and there waited
a day and a night for the arrival of the boats. Finally, with the few boats
that were at hand, Allen resolved to attempt the passage ; and on the night of
the lOth eighty- three men embarked at Hand's Point and landed about a mile
north of the fort. Dawn was approaching and the commander realized to the
fullest the importance of prompt action. He had been furnished with a guide
in the person of young Nathan Beaman, son of a patriot of Shoreham, who
had a perfect knowledge of the works gained during his boyhood.
Allen, in a low and earnest voice, addressed his little band, inspiring them
with the importance of their mission and the glory of its success, and then
told them that all who accompanied him must go voluntarily, and ordered all
who were ready to poise their firelocks. Every musket was instantly raised.
After again pacifying Arnold, who assumed to the leadership, by agreeing that
they should advance together, Allen and Arnold took the lead, with young
Beaman, and the column filed up to the sallyport of the fortress. The sentinel
snapped his gun as they approached and retreated through the covered way,
closely followed by the Americans, who drew up on the parade in two lines,
each facing the barracks. (See history of Ticonderoga). Their shouts
awakened the garrison and Captain de la Place came forth from his quarters,
clad only in his night apparel. He was confronted by Allen with a peremp-
tory summons to surrender. When he requested to know by what authority
the demand was made, Allen uttered his immortal response, "By the authority
of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress !"
Allen says, in his own graphic account of the event, " the authority of the
Congress being very little known at that time, he began to speak again ; but I
interrupted him, and with my drawn sword over his head again demanded an
immediate surrender of the garrison, with which he then complied, and ordered
his men to be forthwith paraded without arms, as he had given up the garri-
son. In the mean time some of my officers had given orders, and in conse-
quence thereof sundry of the barrack doors were beat down and about one-
From 1770 to 1775. 119
third of the garrison imprisoned, which consiste'd bf the said commander, a
Lieutenant Fehham, a conductor of artillery, a gunner, two sergeants, and
forty-four rank and file, about one hundred pieces of cannon, one thirteen-inch
mortar and a number of swivels. This surprise was carried into execution in
the gray of the morning of the loth of May, 1775. The sun seemed to rise
on that morning with a superior lustre ; and Ticonderoga and its dependen-
cies smiled to its conquerors, who tossed about the flowing bowl and wished
success to Congress and the liberty and freedom of America. Happy it was
for me, at that time, that those future pages of the book of fate which after-
wards unfolded a miserable scene of two years and eight months' imprison-
ment were hid from my view."
Allen's well-planned measures were all successful. Crown Point surren-
dered on the following day, with its entire armament and its small garrison of
twelve men. Herrick made his capture of Skeenesborough, with Skeene and
his forces, besides several boats and a trading schooner. This success was
crowned by the capture of two dispatch boats by Baker, which had been sent
from Crown Point with news of the fall of Ticonderoga. Amos Callandar was
detached with a small party to the fort at the head of Lake George, whence he
soon after conducted the prisoners to Hartford.
Although when viewed from certain standpoints, this event was not one of
great magnitude, yet it was, at that particular time, one upon the success or
failure of which depended momentous issues ; and its success caused a thrill of
joy and astonishment to pervade the country. The men who were most prom-
inent in its brave deeds became the possessors of high military distinction be-
fore the close of the Revolution — distinction won by their own efficient her-
oism.
New York was slow to acknowledge the importance of Allen's victory, or
to profit by it. The Albany committee, to whom John Brown bore Allen's let-
ter of particulars of the event, with a request for such reinforcements as would
prevent the recapture of the fortifications, merely forwarded the letter to the
New York committee. They also refused to act in the matter and in turn for-
warded the dispatches to the Congress in Philadelphia. Brown was already
there and gave the august body an account of the brilliant event. Their re-
ception of it shows that they were still uncertain and vacillating in attempting
to decide what were to be the future relations of America and Great Britain ;
whether it might not still be the best policy not to arouse the mother country
to unconditional hostility. While Congress privately exulted over Allen's con-
quest, it hesitated to publicly and directly assume the responsibility of it. In-
stead, it recommended the New York and Albany committees to immediately
remove the armament and stores at the two forts on Lake Champlain, to the
head of Lake George, and " indirectly counseled the establishment of a
strong post at that point." As an indication of the uncertainty just alluded
120 History of Essex County.
to, Congress also recommended " that an exact inventory of them (the arma-
ment and stores) should be taken, in order that they might be safely returned
when the restoration of the former harmony between Great Britain and the
colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, should render it prudent and con-
sistent with the overruling law of self-preservation."
To this response Allen, as well as Connecticut and Massachusetts at large,
manifested the most earnest opposition, and the plans were abandoned. When,
a few months later, Washington at Boston was in sore need of artillery!
the immense value of the victory won by Allen and his men at Ticonderoga
and Crown Point became apparent. Henry Knox, the young Boston book-
seller (afterwards a brigadier-general in the American army) transported fifty
heavy guns from Ticonderoga to Washington's camp, in the mid-winter of
1775-76. This enterprise was one of almost unparalleled toil, the work being
accomplished by numerous teams of oxen, and the journey extending through
200 miles of wilderness. The procession was received with an ovation.
The Continental Congress had reassembled and organized on the lOth of
May, the day on which Allen captured Ticonderoga. Almost its first labors
were in the direction of raising an army for general defense. New York was
ordered to raise 3,000 volunteers. A provincial congress of New York con-
vened on the 2 2d of May, authorized the raising of troops, encouraged the
manufacture of powder and muskets in the province, and projected fortifications
on the lower Hudson.
The capture of the fortifications on Lake Champlain opened the way for
an invasion of Canada which, at that time and amid the then prevailing spirit
of the Canadian soldiers and people, could scarcely have failed. Canada was
in a peculiarly defenseless condition, many of her troops having been with-
drawn to Boston, and it was believed that a large portion of her people would
assume the cause of America in the event of an invasion promising success.
But Congress hesitated, and although Allen had, in a communication of June
7th, declared that "with 1,500 men I could take Montreal," that body was
averse to an act involving possibilities of an apprehension in the minds of many
citizens of the colonies, and so thoroughly offensive in its character against the
mother country.
Soon after the capture of the forts fifty men who had been enlisted by Ar-
nold arrived at Ticonderoga. An armed schooner was then lying in the Sorel
river near St. Johns. Her capture would secure the naval supremacy of the
lake and Arnold and Allen resolved upon the attempt. Arnold took his fifty
recruits and manned the schooner captured at Skeenesborough and on the fifth
day after the surrender of the fort sailed for St. Johns. Allen accompanied
him with 150 men in bateaux. Favorable winds enabled Arnold to distance
1 The whole train of artillery possessed by the colonies when the war for independence broke out,
was composed of four field pieces, two belonging to citizens of Boston, and two to the province of Mas-
sachusetts. — LossiNG.
From 1770 to 1775. 121
the bateaux. Arriving within thirty miles of his destination, a calm overtook
him ; but he was not disposed to share with Allen whatever honor might be
forthcoming, and accordingly embarked thirty-five men in two boats, hastened
forward, surprised and captured the fort, with its guard of twelve men, and
seized the schooner, making a successful retreat with his prize. Returning he
met Allen and acquainted him with intelligence he had received of an ap-
proaching detachment of troops towards St. Johns ; but Allen pushed on and
landed. The presence of a large force with artillery compelled him to return. ^
In June Allen gave up his command on Champlain to Colonel Benjamin
Hinman, who brought thither 1,000 troops from Connecticut.
The course pursued by the Indians early in the Revolutionary struggle was
the cause of much anxiety to the colonists and opened the way to the bloody
deeds that followed their alliance with the English and their association with
the Tories. The alarming encroachments of the white settlers upon the do-
main of the Iroquois undoubtedly had its influence in producing this deplora-
ble result. Sir William Johnson, England's Indian agent, died in 1774, but
much of his great influence over the Six Nations descended to his successor —
an influence that was potent in withholding the Iroquois power from alliance
with the French in the earlier war. The successor was Guy Johnson, a nephew
of Sir William. Upon the breaking out of the Revolution it became the policy
of the Americans to secure simply the neutrality of the Indians (which policy
was successful as far as the Oneidas were concerned), while the British made
undisguised efforts to effect their close alliance to the royal cause. La Corne
St Luc, a bitter partisan, had declared : " We must let loose the savages upon
the frontier of these scoundrels to inspire terror and to make them submit.''
In the spring of 1777 Governor Tryon wrote to Germain that he and the par-
tisan named were perfectly, agreed as to the employment of Indians in the war.
Brant, the great Mohawk chief, had already been taken to England (1775-76),
was shown marked favor by the government and employed to lead all who
would follow him against the colonists. Against this inhuman policy Pitt hurled
1 Following is Arnold's own subsequent estimate of the importance of these captures : " We were
now masters of Lake Champlain, and the garrison depending thereon. This success I viewed of con-
sequence in the scale of American politics ; for, if i settlement between the then colonies of Great
Britain had soon taken place, it would have been easy to have restored these acquisitions ; but viewing
the then future consequences of a cruel war, as it has really proved to be, and the command of that
lake, garrisons, artillery, etc., it must be viewed to be of signal importance to the American cause, and
it is marvelous to me that we ever lost command of it. Nothing but taking a Burgoyne with his whole
British army could, in my opinion, atone for it ; and notwithstanding such an extraordinary victory,
we must be obliged to regain the command of that lake again, be the cost what it will ; by doing this
Canada will easily be brought into union and confederacy with the United States of America. Such
an event would put it out of the power of the western tribes of Indians to carry on a war with us, and
be a solid and durable bar against any further inhuman barbarities committed on our frontier inhabit-
ants, by cruel and blood- thirsty savages ; for it is impossible for them to carry on a war, except they
are supported by the trade and commerce of some civilized nation ; which to them would be impracti-
cable, did Canada compose a part of the American Empire."
122 History of Essex County.
his bitterest invective and in 1777, when the policy was thus defended by one
of the secretaries of state, in parliament : " It is perfectly justifiable to use all
the means that God and nature have put in our hands," Pitt replied : " I know
not what idea that lord may entertain of God and nature, but I know that
such abominable principles are equally abhorrent to religion and humanity."
He called upon the bishops to disavow such principles and " to vindicate the
religion of our God." But he appealed in vain, and the colonial secretary,
(Germain) gave special instructions to employ Indians " in fighting repub-
licans."
At length, late in the season of 177S, the Congress began to see the impor-
tance of an invasion into Canada. It had, apparently, become a necessary
measure for self- protection, as Governor Carleton (of Canada) had received a
commission authorizing him to muster and arm the people of the province, and
to march them into any province of America to arrest and put to death, or
spare, " rebels " and other offenders. Major-General Philip Schuyler had been
appointed to the command of the northern department (which included all of
New York), with Richard Montgomery as his chief-lieutenant. An army of
3,000 men was concentrated at Ticonderoga for the proposed expedition, while
Carleton, apprised of the movement, made preparations to oppose it by creating
a naval force competent to maintain supremacy on the lake. To defeat this
design Montgomery took the small force already assembled and rapidly de-
scended the lake and seized the position at the Isle aux Noix. There he was
joined by Schuyler and an address of conciliation was made to the Canadians,
which had the effect of partially influencing the people to maintain neutrality
towards the Americans. At the same time Carleton's efforts to enlist the gen-
eral populace were almost unsuccessful ; they would not join in active aggres-
sion against their neighbors across the border.
A council had already been held at Montreal by the chiefs and warriors of
the Iroquois, Guy Johnson and Brant both taking part. Here the savages
swore fealty to the king, the first act in the long catalogue of slaughter and
devastation that followed.
As the first step towards the invasion the Americans, 1,000 strong, made a
demonstration against St. Johns, during which they were attacked by a body
of Indians who were repulsed. After erecting a slight breastwork near the
fort, Schuyler fell back to his original position and erected a ckevaicx de frise
in the Sorel, obstructing navigation into the lake by Carleton's vessels, then
in progress of construction at St. Johns. Schuyler was now called to Albany
and was there detained by sickness, leaving the command in the efficient hands
of Montgomery. He soon adopted aggressive measures. St. Johns was then
occupied by a garrison of 700 men under Major Preston, and was looked upon
as the key to Canada. This position was considered impregnable to the force
at Montgomery's command, and he resolved to assault the works at Chambly, a
From 1770 to 1775. 123
few miles below. It was accomplished in the night (Oct. 19th), after feeble
defense by the small garrison, and placed in Montgomery's possession several
heavy guns, a large quantity of powder and other stores, all of which he was
in extreme need of This success turned the scale of Canadian sympathy more
towards America and large numbers joined the army ; which spirit was fostered
by Montgomery, who sent detachments of his soldiers in different directions
through their country for that purpose. Two of these parties, under Allen and
Brown, respectively, approached Montreal, and without orders and with appa-
rent injudiciousness, resolved upon capturing the island. Brown failed to co-
operate with Allen, as arranged, and the latter with his party was captured
after .gallant fighting.^
Carleton's success over Allen and Brown now led him to attempt the re-
lief of St. Johns. His plans embraced a conjunction with Colonel McLean
who was stationed with a corps at the mouth of the Sorel. Carleton started
with a force of about 1,000, mostly Canadians and Indians, to make the pas-
sage of the river from Montreal to Longueil ; but Seth Warner had already oc-
cupied the eastern bank of the river with his Green Mountain boys, and ap-
prehending Carleton's movements, he fortified his position with a few pieces of
artillery and awaited the fleet. Carleton was welcomed by Warner with a ter-
rible fire of musketry and grape shot, which sent his undisciplined troops flying
back to the island. McLean also retreated to his former position and at this
time, through an intercepted letter from Arnold to Schuyler, learned that a
formidable force was descending the valley of the Chaudiere to assault Quebec ;
he accordingly hastened, with such forces as he could collect, to occupy that
place. Montgomery immediately occupied the position from which McLean
had fallen back, erected works at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and So-
rel and, further aided by floating batteries, completely controlled both streams,
cutting off Montreal and the fortifications on the upper waters of the river and
lakes from communication with Quebec and the sea. This well concei^^ed ac-
tion forced Preston to surrender St. Johns, after which Montgomery marched
against Montreal and that city also surrendered without making defense. Carle-
ton relinquished the command at Montreal to Prescott before Montgomery's
arrival, and escaped in disguise in the night down the river past the American
batteries.
Meanwhile, Washington had planned one of those remarkably bold and origi-
nal movements for which he was famous, with the capture of Quebec as its ob-
ject. This was no less than the march of a thousapd men from Cambridge, by
way of the Kennebec river, through the untrodden wilderness between that
stream and the Chaudiere, and the descent of the latter to Quebec.
Had it been possible for human sagacity to foresee the almost insurmount-
1 Allen was taken a prisoner to England, where he was held nearly three years, and persecuted
with all manner of indignities in loathsome prisons. At the end of his imprisonment he was exchanged
and received with honors by his country.
124 History of Essex County.
able obstacles and hardships to overcome in this then unparalleled expedition,
it would, in all probability, have been so directed as to have been entirely suc-
cessful. But as it proved the heroic troops and their officers were buried in
the depths of the wilderness for thirty-two days, suffering the horrors of starv-
ation, tempestuous weather and freezing floods in the streams they were forced
to ford, before reaching the Chaudiere. Here actual starvation threatened,
and it was still seventy miles to the nearest French settlement. Arnold, there-
fore, left the main body of his troops and, taking with him fifty- five men, started
down the river for food. The settlement was reached and Indians sent back
with supplies and to guide the troops down the river. This was all accom-
plished, but it took time, and it was nearly two months from the date of leav-
ing Cambridge before they reached the St. Lawrence opposite Quebec (No-
vember 9th), decimated to 750 strong. ^
It is more than probable that this expedition, bold, hazardous, and secret
as it was, would have secured the prize for which it was planned, but for the
intercepted letter before alluded to. The alertness of McLean saved the city
from capitulation. Four days Arnold was prevented from crossing the river,
at the end of which, on the night of the 13th of November, he embarked 550
men in bark canoes and landed them at Wolfs Cove, whence they ascended to
the Plains of Abraham. Here he ordered his men to give three cheers, in
the hope of thus calling the garrison out to attack him, upon which it was his
purpose to rush through the open city gates, call around him the sympathizers
he believed to be in the city and hold the situation. The regulars did not
come out. Arnold was joined by the 200 men left on Point Levi across the
river, and he now spent a few days in issuing proclamations and arrogandy de-
manding the surrender of the city. Little attention was paid to him or his
movements by the enemy. Learning that Carleton was coming down the river
and that the garrison were preparing for a sortie that might overwhelm his re-
ally insignificant force, he prudently retreated to Point aux Trembles, twenty
miles above, and awaited instructions from Montgomery. The latter had left
Montreal in charge of a force under General Wooster, and on the 3d of De-
cember reached Arnold and his " shivering troops." With the clothing he
brought the complaining soldiers were reclad and then the combined force, still
less than 1,000 strong, outside of 200 Canadians who had volunteered under
Colonel James Livingstone, pressed forward and halted before Quebec on the
Sth of December. A demand for the surrender of the city was made on the
following morning, but the flag sent was fired upon, and in response to a letter
from Montgomery to Carleton, the latter said he would hold no communication
with "a rebel general."
1 Their sufferings from cold and hunger had been extreme. At one time they had attempted to
make broth of boiled deer skin moccasins to sustain life, and a dog belonging to Henry (afterwards
General ) Dearborn made savory food for them. In this expedition were men who afterwards became
famous in American history— Aaron Burr, R. J. Meigs, Henry Dearborn, Daniel Morgan and others.
— LOSSING.
From 1770 to 1775. 125
Preparations were now made to assault the city. Colonel Lamb had brought
six twelve-pound guns which were mounted upon a redoubt built of ice, and
from a few mortars stationed in the lower town, shells were thrown into the
city, by which a few buildings were set on fire. But Lamb's ice battery was
destroyed by well-directed cannonade from the citadel, and he was forced to
withdraw. Clearly this course would not succeed, and Montgomery waited
two weeks in vain for reinforcements. His soldiers, many of whom had left
him before his departure from Montreal upon expiration of their terms, were
becoming dissatisfied ; the small- pox broke out among them, and to make mat-
ters worse, Arnold, always dictatorial and obstinate, quarreled with other offi-
cers and thus farther alienated some of the troops.
At last and almost in desperation, Montgomery determined upon an attempt
to carry the city by a direct assault at two points, one division to be led by
himself and the other by Arnold. On the first stormy night Arnold was to
attack the lower town, set fire to the suburb of St. Roque, while the main body
should make an assault from the St. Lawrence river side under Montgomery.
A snow storm began on the 30th of December; sickness, desertion and expir-
ation of enlistment terms had dwindled the force to 750 effective men, but the
movement was carried forward. While Arnold led his 350 men to the assault
on the St. Charles side, Livingston made a feint upon the St. Louis gate and
Major Brown menaced the Cape Diamond bastion. At the same time Mont-
gomery descended to the St. Lawrence and made his way along the narrow
shore at the foot of the cape. The whole plan had been revealed to Carleton
by a Canadian deserter and the garrison was prepared for the assault. A bat-
tery was placed at the narrow pass on the St. Charles side and a block house
with masked cannon occupied the narrow road at the foot of Cape Diamond.
Montgomery approached this block house where all was still. Believing his
presence was not known he shouted to the companies of Captains Mott and
Cheeseman, near him, " Men of New York, you will not fear to follow where
your general leads ; push on, my brave boys and Quebec is ours!" At this
moment a charge of grape shot from a single gun, which, tradition says, was
fired by a drunken sailor (the last of the block house garrison, the remainder
having fled at the approach of the Americans), swept through the narrow path
with terriffic destructiveness. Montgomery fell, pierced through the head and
both le"s ; his dying form was caught in the arms of Burr. Cheeseman and
McPherson, aids, and ten others were killed. The assault was doomed ; the
fall of the brave leader overwhelmed the troops, and Montgomery's division,
now under command of Colonel Campbell, hastily withdrew.
Meanwhile Arnold's band was marching through blinding snow and heavy
drifts, in single file up the defile that led to his point of attack. This could be
raked by the guns of the battery and swept by the musketry from the garrison
walls. Lamb had left his artillery as useless, and joined Arnold. The city
126 History of Essex County.
bells began ringing and drums beating. Fire was opened on the narrow pass
and Arnold fell wounded and was borne from the field. Morgan took the
command, and, amid desperate fighting, a battery was captured with a number
of the guards and its barricade scaled with ladders. The commander was the
second man to cross the works. With the aid of Colonel Green and Majors
Bigelow and Meigs he succeeded in gathering about him two hundred of the
troops, covered with snow and ice and suffering with the cold ; but as day-
dawned they were imbued with renewed enthusiasm and called on their brave
commander to lead them against a second battery mounted beyond the angle
of a street. The advance was quickly made, but turning the angle they were
met by a body of troops under Captain Anderson ; the latter called on Mor-
gan to surrender, and was immediately shot by him. The Americans now
rushed ahead, planted ladders against this barricade and mounted to the top.
Here they saw before them two lines of British regulars, the butts of their
muskets on the ground and their bayonets towards the summit of the barri-
cade. Many of the Americans retreated into the stone houses whence they
could maintain their fire, and the conflict continued. But Carleton was enabled,
through the failure of the other assaults, to throw his entire force against Mor-
gan. After several hours of heroic resistance and waiting in vain for aid from
the other detachments, the brave band was compelled to surrender after a loss
of a hundred men. Thus ended the siege.
The entire loss of the Americans in killed, wounded and prisoners was about
four hundred. The British lost about twenty killed.
Upon the death of Montgomery Arnold took the command and retired with
the remainder of the troops to Sillery, three miles up the river, where he block-
aded Quebec during the remainder of the winter. His position and his pros-
pects were not encouraging. The troops were insubordinate and the Canadian
people, prompted by the priests, were becoming disaffected towards the Amer-
icans, while at the same time disease was rampant among the troops. Arnold
was relieved in April by General Wooster and a month later General Thomas
took command. Arnold was transferred to Montreal, where " he revealed the
cupidity and rapaciousness which, in after years, and on another stage, de-
formed and debauched his whole character." i
The approach of three British ships that had forced their way up the river,
conveying troops and supplies, coupled with his own almost helpless situation,
impelled Thomas to begin a retreat, which was done on the 5th of May. The
order was for such immediate movement that most of the sick and wounded
and the stores were abandoned. The retreat itself was a long series of hard-
ships, struggles with sickness and hunger and general suffering. At Sorel
General Thomas fell a victim to the prevailing epidemic and was succeeded by
General Sullivan. This officer's subsequent conduct of the retreat showed the
1 Watson's Essex Couutv.
Close of 1776. 127
highest generalship and was formally recognized by Congress. The capture
of the post at the Cedars, on the St. Lawrence, by the Canadians and Mohawks,
and the sanguinary disaster at Three Rivers, only served to hasten Sullivan's
retreat, and he arrived at Crown Point in June, with the remnant of a conquered
army.
It is proper to mention at this point that a territorial division had been
made in northern New York in March, 1772, by which Charlotte county was
created, which comprised a large extent of territory on both sides of Lake
Champlain, including what is now Essex county.
A general meeting of the county committee of Charlotte was held on the
25th of January, 1776, at which it was unanimously resolved that Dr. John
Williams be recommended to the Provincial Congress of New York for the
command of the first battalion of the militia for this his county ; Mr. Alexander
Campbell, of Argyle township, for lieutenant-colonel ; Messrs. Timothy Bewell,
of Fort Miller, and Alexander Webster, of Black Creek, for adjutant, and Mr.
Samuel Fuller, of Skeenesborough, quartermaster. At the same time and
place it was unanimously agread that Dr. John Williams and Mr. Alexander
Campbell should represent the county of Charlotte in Provincial Congress till
the second Tuesday in the following May.
CHAPTER XIII:
CLOSE OF 1776.
The Canadian Mission — Its Failure — Hostilities near New York — Battle of Long Island — Small-
Pox at Crown Point — Carleton's Pursuit of the Americans — Building a British Fleet for Lake Cham-
plain — Counter-action by Arnold — Sailing of the British Fleet — Respective Positions of the Ameri-
can and British Vessels — The Engagement — Retirement of the Americans — Rapid Pursuit — Ar-
nold's Bravery ^Burning of a Portion of the Fleet — Escape of the Remainder to Crown Point — The
British Retire to Canada for the Winter.
THE country was now fully ablaze with the Revolution, and the remainder of
the year 1776 witnessed some important occurrences. The month of March,
while Arnold was yet in command at Montreal, had witnessed the failure of the
commission appointed by Congress, consisting of Benjamin Franklin, Samuel
Chase and Charles Carroll, to proceed to Canada and induce the people to
establish a free government and join the confederated colonies. Hostilities
were for the time being transferred to New York and vicinity, and the battle of
Long Island, disastrous to the Americans, was fought and New York evacuated
in September, while other occurrences of moment were taking place in the
northern department, with which we are more directly interested.
128 History of Essex County.
When the retreating army had reached Crown Point, as detailed at the
close of the preceding chapter, it mustered about five thousand men ; but more
than half of these were helpless in sickness, chiefly from the terrible scourge,
small-pox. For ten days the troops remained there, suffering much from ex-
posure, during which brief period three hundred deaths occurred. What would
have happened had not Sullivan, in his wisdom, destroyed everything in his
track that could have aided the British in their pursuit, may be imagined.
When they arrived at Champlain their progress was stayed for want of ship-
ping. The naval supremacy of the lake now became of perhaps greater
moment than ever before. Carleton immediately began the construction of
boats in the Sorel, and six large vessels which had been built in England were
taken apart below the Chambly rapids and conveyed to St. Johns where they
were again rebuilt in the utmost haste. The 1st of October found him with a
fleet of thirty-one vessels, all armed with from one to eighteen guns and manned
by seven hundred seaman and a corps of artillery.
Congress had not been idle. Here Arnold found a field for the exercise of
his indomitable energy, and he saw the construction, directly from the forest
trees, and equipment of fifteen vessels, armed in the aggregate with fifty- five
guns and manned by three hundred and fifty men ; men, however, with little
experience in naval affairs.
A short period of repose followed, but neither antagonist was idle. Carle-
ton strengthened the forts at St. Johns and Isle aux Noix and gathered a land
force of 7,000 troops to march against his enemy when the lake was conquered ;
and Arnold cruised the Jake in defiance of the foe, perfected, his plans for the
expected contest, and drilled his men.
Meanwhile General Gates had, through intrigue, displaced General Schuy-
ler in command of the northern army, and concentrated his forces at Ticon-
deroga.^
Dr. James Thacher joined the Arnerican forces that marched to Ticonder-
oga from Boston. He was an intelligent man and kept a journal from 1775
to 1783, which proved of great historic value. He writes of Ticonderoga and
the events about to occur in that vicinity with such clearness and evident sin-
cerity and judgment, that we are fully justified in quoting as follows : —
" 20th. — Having recovered my health and being prepared to follow our
regiment, I am this day to bid adieu to the town of Boston, where I have re-
sided very pleasantly for the last five months. I am destined to a distant part
of our country, and know not what suffering and hazards I shall be called to
1 Gates at first established his headquarters at Crown Point, but soon afterward withdrew his forces
from that post and fell back upon Ticonderoga. This step was taken by the advice and concurrence
of a board of general officers, but contrary to the wishes of the field officers. The commander-in-
chief was exceedingly dissatisfied with this movement of Gates, believing that the relinquishment of
that post, in its consequences, would be eqtiivalent to an abandonment of Lakes George and Champlain,
and all the advantages to be derived therefrom. — S tone's Life of Brant, with reference to Washing-
ton's letter to Gates.
Close of 1776. 129
encounter, while in the discharge of my miHtary duty. I shall commence my
journey in company with Lieutenant Whiting and fourteen men who were left
here as invalids.
" September. — We took our route through Worcester, Springfield, Charles-
town, in New Hampshire, and over the Green Mountains to Skeensboro ; which
is the place of rendezvous for the Continental troops and militia destined to
Ticonderoga. Here boats are provided at the entrance of Lake Champlain
which are continually passing to and from this place. We embarked on the 6th
instant, and with good oarsmen and sails we arrived the same day, and joined
our regiment here, a distance of thirty miles.
" lOth. — Ticonderoga is situated on an angle of land forming the western
shore of Lake Champlain, or rather what is called South Bay ; being the inlet
into the lake. It is about twelve miles south of the old fortress at Crown Point,
and about 1 10 miles north of Albany. This point of land is surrounded on three
sides by water, and on the northwest side it is well defended by the old French
lines and several block houses. ... On the east side of South Bay, di-
rectly opposite to Ticonderoga, is a high circular hill, on the summit of which
our arm.y has erected a strong fort, within which is a square of barracks'. This
is called Mt. Independence. A communication is maintained between the two
places by a floating bridge thrown across the lake, which is about 400 yards
wide. The army stationed at this post at present is supposed to consist of
about 8,000 to 10,000 men, and Major General Gates is commander-in-chief
We have a naval armament ^ on Lake Champlain, below this garrison, which is
commanded by the intrepid General Arnold ; General Waterbury is second in
command. The British have also a naval armament ^ of superior force, at the
head of which is the celebrated Sir Guy Carleton."
Carleton and Arnold's Naval Battle. — " Preparations are making on both
sides for a vigorous combat to decide which power shall have dominion on the
lake. Should Sir Guy Carleton be able to defeat our fleet, it is supposed that
he will pursue his victorious career by an attempt to possess himself of this
garrison ; and our troops are making the utmost exertion to put our works in
the best possible defense. Each regiment has its alarm post assigned, and they
are ordered to repair to it, and to man the lines at daylight every morning.
Among our defensive weapons are poles, about twelve feet long, armed with
sharp iron points, which each soldier is to employ against the assailants when
mounting the breast- works.
" loth. — By intelligence from our fleet, on the lake, we are in daily ex-
pectation of a decisive naval action, as the British are known to have a supe-
rior force ; our officers, here, I understand, are full of anxiety respecting the
important event. Great confidence is reposed in the judgment and bravery of
General Arnold, whom General Gates has appointed to command our fleet.
1 Built and equipped by Arnold at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, as already described.
2 Built at St. Johns navigated by 700 veteran seamen.
130 History of Essex County.
1 5 th — "I have now to recount an account of a naval engagement between the
two fleets on Lake Champlain.^ The British under command of Sir Guy Carle-
ton, advanced on the i ith instant, and found our fleet in a line of battle pre-
pared for the attack. A warm action soon ensued, and became extremely close
and severe, with round and grape shot, which continued about four hours.
Brigadier General Waterbury, in the Washington galley, fought with undaunted
bravery, till nearly all his officers were killed and wounded, and his vessel greatly
injured ; when General Arnold ordered the remaining shattered vessels to re-
tire up the lake, towards Crown Point, in order to refit. On the 13th, they
were overtaken by the enemy, and the action was renewed, in which was dis-
played the greatest intrepidity on both sides. The Washington galley, being
crippled in the first action, was soon obliged to strike and surrender. General
Arnold conducted during the action with great judgment, firmness, and gal-
lantry, obstinately defending himself against a superior force, both in numbers
and weight of metal. At length, however, he was so closely pressed that his
situation became desperate and he run his own vessel, the Congress galley, on
shore, which with five gondolas were abandoned and blown up. Out of six-
teen of our vessels, eleven were taken or destroyed, five .only arrived safely at
this place. Two of the enemy's gondolas were sunk by our fleet, and one
blown up with sixty men. Their loss in men is supposed to be equal to our
own, which is estimated at about 100."
Preparations to Receive an Attack. — "A large number of troops were on
board the British fleet, consisting of regulars, Canadians and savages, which
have been landed on each side of the lake, and it is now expected that Sir Guy
Carleton, at the head of his army, reported to be about 10,000 strong, will
soon invest this post. By order of General Gates, our commander, the great-
est exertions are constantly making, by strengthening our works, to enable us
to give them a warm reception ; and our soldiery express a strong desire to
have an opportunity of displaying their courage and prowess ; both officers
and men are full of activity and vigilance.
" 1 8th. — It is now ascertained that the British army and fleet have estab-
lished themselves at Crown Point, and are strengthening the old fortifications
at that place. Some of their vessels have approached within a few miles of
our garrison, and one boat came within cannon shot distance of our lower bat-
tery, in order to reconnoitre and sound the channel ; but a few shot having killed
two men, and wounded another, soon obliged her to retire. All of our troops
are ordered to repair to their alarm posts, and man the lines and works ; every
morning, our continental colors are advantageously displayed on the ramparts,
and our cannon and spars are in readiness for action.
iThis engagement occurred in the strait between Valcour Island and tlie western shore, just
north of the mouth of the Ausable. Its history cannot be omitted in the sketches of Fort Ticonder-
oga, because the American vessels were built and manned there.
Close of 1776. 131
"20th. — Ever since the defeat of our fleet we have been providentially-
favored with a strong southerly wind, which has prevented the enemy's ad-
vancing to attack our Hnes, and afforded us time to receive some reinforcements
of militia, and to prepare for a more vigorous defense. It seems now to be the
opinion of many of our most judicious officers, that had Sir Guy Carleton ap-
proached with his army, immediately after his victory on the lake, the struggle
must have been most desperate, and the result precarious ; but we now feel
more confidence in our strength."
Carleton Retires to Canada. — "November 1st. — The enemy remain at
Crown Point, and evince no disposition to molest our garrison, having probably
discovered that our means of defense are too formidable for them to encounter.
General Gates has now ordered a detachment of troops to march towards
Crown Point, to reconnoitre their position, or to attack them. A report was
soon returned that the whole fleet and army have abandoned Crown Point, and
retired into Canada, where they will probably occupy their winter quarters in
peace, and it is not probable that Sir Guy Carleton intends to invest our gar-
rison, at this advanced season, unless, however, he should attempt it by march-
ing his army over the ice, when the lake is frozen, which will probably be very
practicable."
Winter Life in the Barracks. — "igth. — Ticonderoga is in about latitude
forty-four degrees. I have no means in possession of ascertaining the precise
degree of cold ; but we all agree that it is colder here than in Massachusetts
at the same season. The earth has not yet been covered with snow, but the
frost is so considerable that the water of the lake is congealed, and the earth is
frozen. We are comfortably situated in our barracks ; our provisions are now
good, and having no enemy near enough to alarm or disturb us, we have
nothing of importance to engage our attention. Our troops are quite healthy,
a few cases of rheumatism and pleurisy comprise our sick list, and it is seldom
that any fatal cases occur."
Such was the sagacious physician's description of the most important naval
engagement on Lake Champlain and other contemporaneous events. General
Carleton was harshly and unjustly censured for his retirement to Canada. He
realized the strength of the garrison at that time and properly estimated the
hazards of an approaching winter, which would cut him off from rapid trans-
portation to Canada.
While the garrison were " comfortably situated " in the barracks, as chron-
icled by Thacher, Washington was retreating in gloom across the Jerseys,
closely pursued by Cornwallis ; Forts Washington and Lee had fallen into the
hands of the enemy ; the miHtia had shown little of that heroism that was ex-
pected of them, and the Tory spirit was rife in New York and New Jersey ;
the American cause seemed in desperate straits. But the spirits of Washing-
ton rose to the emergency and before the close of the year he won the battle
132 History of Essex County.
of Trenton (December 26th), which, with Carleton's departure from Lake
Champlain, revived the depressed spirits of the colonists.
CHAPTER XIV.
PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Persecution of Wm. Gilliland — His memorial to Congress — Charged with Treasonable Acts — Plans
of the English for the Campaign of 1 777 — Burgoyne's Army and its Equipment — His Conference with
the Indians and its Consequences — Embarrassment of the American Commanders — General^ Schuyler
again in Command of the Northern Department — Extracts from Dr. Thacher's Journal — His Y'^ws
upon the Military Situation — The defense at Ticonderoga — Burgoyne's Bombast — St. Clair in Com-
mand at Ticonderoga — Weakness of His Force — The Assault — The Fatal ilistake of the Americans
— Mount Defiance Unfortified — Seized by the British — Evacuation the only Alternative — Thacher's
Account of the Flight — Vigorous Pursuit of the British — Battle of Hubbardton — American Despondency
over the Capture of Ticonderoga — Schuyler Superseded by Gates — Battle of Bennington — Burgoyne's
Increasing Perplexities — Engagements at Bemis's Heights — The British Retire — Surprise of the
British at Lake George Landing — Burgoyne Surrounded — His Surrender — British Evacuation of
Ticonderoga.
THE events just recorded were disastrous to the thriving Httle colony on the
Boquet, and that without apparent cause. There is every reason for be-
lieving that William Gilliland was a patriot to the core and willing to give
freely of his strength and means for the triumph of American independence.
In the memorial written by him in 1777, from which we shall make further ex-
tracts, he says : " Your memorialist has reason to think that he was the first
person who laid a plan for, and determinined upon seizing Ticonderoga and
Crown Point, and the king's armed vessels, and therewith the entire command
of Lakes George and Champlain. . That by means of your memorialist, an un-
happy dispute which subsisted between Mr. Allen and Mr. Arnold (the then
rival heads of our handful of people on Lake Champlain) was composed. In
consequence of which, your memorialist (besides several other matters) took
the liberty of recommending to your honors the embodying of the Green
Mountain boys. Col. Allen delivered the letter."
Mr. Gilliland also informed Congress that he not only formed a company
of minute men, " the only one formed on either side of Lake Champlain," in
the ranks of which, " for example sake," he stood, and that he did his utmost
towards stimulating other settlements to the same course. ^
1 In the manuscripts of Mr. Sheldon, upon which Mr. Watson drew so freely for his excellent
works, it is stated that Gilliland's company comprised about thirty men from the west side of the lake
and fifteen from the east belonging to a little colony founded by a Mr. Pierson ; and that "they appear
to have been active and efficient in the performance of their voluntary duties." Mr. Gilliland was
chosen captain and Pierson lieutenant of the company.
Progress of the Revolution. 133
It should be remembered that on account of Mr. GiUiland's position as the
owner of a vast tract of land and the controlling spirit of a considerable num-
ber of tenants, he was a well known and conspicuous character in the eyes of
both the Canadian government and the Americans. His zeal for the success*
of the latter was so well understood and acknowledged by the English that a
reward of $500 was offered by the governor of Canada in June following the
surrender of the Champlain forts, for his arrest and return to that country.
This sum was sufficient to incite several attempts to effect his arrest. Some
of his tenants engaged unsuccessfully in these efforts, and finally the sheriff of
Tryon county, " with four Tories and three savages," — an appropriate squad
for the work — tried their hands in the business. Gilliland captured the en-
tire party and sent them prisoners to Crown Point.
For his conduct thus far GiUiland's reward was suspicion of disloyalty on the
part of some of his compatriots, which finally (in July) took the aspect of for-
mal charges addressed to General Gates. It is sufficient to say that these
charges were of a very unsubstantial character, to say the least, and were so
treated by the commanding general. But the colony was, nevertheless, marked
for devastation. This was begun by Arnold's men while he was patrolling the
lake previous to his defeat by Carleton. They were permitted to land and
ravage the crops without restraint, a practice that was continued while there
was opportunity. To GiUiland's letter courteously complaining of these depre-
dations, Arnold paid no heed, and when the former carried his case to General
Gates, Arnold forwarded to the general GiUiland's letter, with charges of fraud
and disloyalty — charges based upon almost childish information. ^
Although it was a time when all deeds and words savoring in the least of
disloyalty were looked upon with the utmost suspicion, still the whimsical char-
acter of this so-called testimony must be clear to any one ; especially when it
1 Testimony of Thomas Day, the basis of Arnold's charges, as given in W^atson's Pioneer History
of the Champlain Valley : —
"Thomas Day, examined on oath before Robert Lewis, one of the justices of Charlotte county, in
the province of New York.
" Who saith that some time in the beginning of July last, being in company with William Gilliland
esq. and William Wykes, he heard said Wykes say that he was not afraid to go to St. Johns, to the regulars,
and that it appeared to him from their intimacy and being frequently together, and from sundry expres-
sions of GiUiland's, that he contrived the plan of Wykes and Ned Watson's going off. That he heard
Gilliland say, the army acted like a parcel of damned robbers. That several of GiUiland's tenants, in
particular one Nathaniel Blood, bought sundry tents, axes, guns, etc., from the soldiers of the Ameri-
can army, for a mere trifle of rum, which said Blood had from said Gilliland, and he believes said Gilli-
land was concerned with said Blood. He the deponent observed to said Gilliland that he thought it
very wrong to buy those articles of the soldiers, as it was defrauding the country ; to which Gilliland
answered, it was no matter how much they got out of the country; the more the better ; and that being
at GiUiland's when the army was going to Canada this spring, several officers passed by the window.
Gilliland said, there comes a company of damned burglars. He was also in company with John Wat-
son since the last retreat; he heard said Watson say that he was not afraid of the regulars if they came,
for that he had several officers for relations among them, and as for the American army they had acted
like a parcel of damned robbers. Thomas Day."
134 History of Essex County.
was given by one of Arnold's subordinates ; and all, moreover, in face of the
fact, as stated in the memorial already alluded to, that Gilliland had at the
time of the retreat from Canada, testified his " warm attachment to, and hearty
affection for your northern army. He embraced every opportunity of render-
ing them all the encouragement in his power. From the general down to the
sentinel, he has entertained three or four thousand men at his own expense —
he never charged a cent for vegetables, salmon, milk or anything else he had
to spare them — has supplied a numerous company under Captain Lamar,
with bread and meat, as long as he or his settlers had a pound, during a long
stay which they were obliged to make at his place, and thereby reduced his
and the families of his tenants to sufferings they were before unused to ; had
every deserter which appeared at his settlement, taken up and sent to the
army ; has lain weeks together on straw in a common room, that sick and
wounded soldiers and officers that were sent to, or stopped at his house might be
more comfortably accommodated, sometimes taking them to Ticonderoga (45
miles distant) at his own charge, and had every soldier who died at his settle-
ment interred in decent coffins with the honors of war."
When such had been Gilliland's conduct towards American soldiers (and the
statement bears the impress of truth) it is wonderful that he could be charged
with disloyalty ; and when such thoroughly loyal conduct was followed by
the most wanton outrages by American soldiers, it is not wonderful that Mr.
Gilliland, the victim, should exclaim that the " army acted like a parcel of
damned robbers."
For the campaign of 1777 the English made the most thorough preparation
in the north, where General Burgoyne had succeeded Carleton. A large and
fully equipped army was gathered in Canada and placed under his command,
with which it was determined to crush the insurgent colonies. The force de-
signed for this enterprise numbered more than 7,000 men, besides about 250
Canadians, to which were added some 400 Indians and a large park of artillery.
The forces, with the exception of the Indians, assembled at St. Johns and Isle
aux Noix. Its command, under Burgoyne, was entrusted to such brave and
skillful officers as General PhiUips, Frazer, Powell and Hamilton of the British
troops, and Riedesel and. Spccht of the hired Germans. Early in June this
splendid army left St. Johns in boats and reached the banks of the Boquet,
where it halted ten days, to enable the commander to make a reconnaissance of
Ticonderoga, drill his boatmen and hold his notorious conference with the In-
dians, in which they were deliberately employed to glut their savage passions
upon the Americans. This conference was held on the 21st. Burgoyne made
a stirring speech to the Indians who pledged themselves to carry out his be-
hests against the colonists. There will always, doubtless, be differences of opin-
ion as to how far Burgoyne went in this bargain and to what extent he in-
flamed the savages ; but the fact must remain that he knew the character of the
Progress of the Revolution. 135
Indians and their mode of warfare ; he knew also that the Americans had not
sought their alliance, desiring only their neutrality ; hence the bloody scenes
that followed directly upon this bargain between him and the Six Nations must,
in a measure, be accredited to him.^
The plans of the English for the campaign embraced the cutting off of New
England from the Middle States by the opening of communication between
New York and Canada. This was to be accomplished by Burgoyne, in co-op-
eration with General Clinton, whose operations were to be carried on down the
Hudson. At the same time Sir William Howe, with an army of 16,000 men,
was to withdraw from New Jersey and move simultaneously around to the
Chesapeake and take possession of the Middle States.
Unfortunately for the Americans, these plans were hidden and mystified to
such an extent that the commanding officers were in great perplexity in devis-
ing measures of opposition. It was the general impression that Burgoyne con-
templated a movement against Boston, and that Sir William Howe was to co-
operate in the subjugation of the hot-bed of rebellion. New England. Even
after Burgoyne descended from the North, General Howe's movements were
misunderstood'by Washington, his uncertainty being strengthened by a feigned
dispatch sent by Howe to Burgoyne upon the subject of ascending the Hud-
son ; this dispatch was purposely allowed to fall into the hands of the Ameri-
can commander, who was thereby impelled to remain inactive and to withhold
reinforcements from the northern department. As late as July 2d, Washing-
ton wrote the Congress : " If we were certain General Burgoyne were approach-
ing Ticonderoga with his whole army, I should not hesitate a moment in con-
cluding that it is in consequence of a preconcerted plan with General Howe,
and that the latter is to co-operate with him by pushing his whole force up the
North river." And July 22d he wrote: "I cannot give you any certain ac-
count of General Howe's operations. His conduct is puzzling and embarrass-
ing beyond measure ; so are the informations I get. At one time the ships are
standing up toward the North river ; in a little while they are going up the
sound ; and in one hour after they are going out of the hook." This to Gen-
eral Schuyler. In reality the fleet sailed for the Virginia capes on the 23d of
July. •
The command of the northern department was again, by the vacillation of
Congress, placed in. the hands of General Schuyler, only to deprive him of it
the second time on the first of the following August. The immediate com-
1 It is but just to this gallant but unfortunate officer, however, to state, that he did all in his
power to restrain the excesses and barbarities of the Indians. At the council and war feast, which he
gave them near Crown Point, he endeavored to explain to them the laws of civilized war ; and charged
them that they must only kill those opposing them in arms ; that old men, women and children, and
prisoners, must be held sacred from the knife or hatchet, even in the heat of battle. But it did no
good. — Stone's Life of Brant. The question will, doubtless, be asked whether Burgoyne should
not have known, or did not know, at the time that it would "do no good."
136 History of Essex County.
mand of Ticonderoga and its dependencies was given to General Arthur St.
Clair, an officer of ability and experience, but destined to misfortune. Here
should have been concentrated an army of 10,000 men ; yet Schuyler could
muster but half that number in his whole department, while but 3,000 were
given to St. Clair. But the works were vastly stronger than when they were
so heroically defended by Montcalm. The old lines had been fortified by the
erection of a block house, and new works erected at the saw-mills and the
Lake George landing, all which were, however, only occupied by feeble de-
tachments. ' A small fort was erected on Mount Hope, while Mount Independ-
ence, on the eastern shore of the lake, directly opposite the main fort, was
effectively fortified by a star fort enclosing barracks ; the base of the hill and
its sides were entrenched and supplied with artillery. Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence are about 1,500 yards apart. Let us quote a little further from
the journal of Dr. Thacher: —
" According to authentic reports, the plan of the British government for
the present campaign is that General Burgoyne's army shall take possession of
Ticonderoga, and force his way through the country to Albany; to facilitate
this event, Colonel St. Ledger is to march with a party of British, Germans,
Canadians and Indians to the Mohawk river, and make a diversion in that quar-
ter. The royal army at N^w York, under command of General Howe, is to
pass up the Hudson river, and, calculating on success in all quarters, the three
armies are to form a junction at Albany. Here, probably, the three command-
ers are to congratulate each other on their mighty achievements, and the flat-
tering prospects of crushing the Rebellion. This being accomplished, the com-
munication between the southern and eastern States will be interrupted, and
New England, as they suppose, may become an easy prey.
"Judging from the foregoing detail, a very active campaign is to be ex-
pected, and events of the greatest magnitude are undoubtedly to be unfolded.
" The utmost exertions are now making to strengthen our works at Ticon-
deroga, and, if possible, to render the post invulnerable. Mount Independ-
ence, directly opposite to Ticonderoga, is strongly fortified and well supplied
with artillery. On the summit of the mount, which is table land, is erected a
strong fort, in the center of which is a convenient square of barracks, a part of
which are occupied for our hospital. The communication between these two
places is maintained by a floating bridge, which is supported on twenty-two
sunken piers of very large timber. The spaces between these are filled with
separate floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve feet wide, strongly fast-
ened together with iron chains and rivets. A boom composed of large pieces
of timber, well secured together by riveted bolts, is placed on the north side
of the bridge, and by the side of this is placed a double iron chain, the links
of which are pne and a half inch square. The construction of this bridge,
boom and chain, of 400 yards in length, has proved a most laborious under-
Progress of the Revolution. 137
taking, and the expense must have been immense. It is, however, supposed
to be admirably adapted to the double purpose of a communication and an im-
penetrable barrier to any vessels that might attempt to pass our works.
"July 1st. — We are now assailed by a proclamation of a very extraordinary
nature, from General Burgoyne.^ . . The militia of New England are daily
coming in to increase our strength ; the number of our troops and our ability
to defend the works against the approaching enemy, are considerations which
belong to our commanding officers. . . One fact, however, is notorious,
that when the troops are directed to man the lines, there is not a sufficient
number to occupy their whole extent. It appears, nevertheless, so far as I can
learn, to be the prevalent opinon, that we shall be able to repel the meditated
attack and defeat the views of the royal commander ; both officers and men
are in high spirits and prepared for the contest."
In spite of the conclusions of this eye-witness, it is clear that St. Clair was
in no condition to repel an assault from- such a force as that under command
of Burgoyne. He knew this to be the fact. On the 2Sth of June he commu-
nicated to Schuyler the perilous circumstances by which he was surrounded
and the inadequacy of his resources ; but he was given no alternative other
than to hold the position to the last, when an early evacuation might have
averted the misfortune that overtook him. The commander-in-chief and Con-
gress were still clinging to the belief and hope that Burgoyne's movements
were pretexts to cover other operations'. Mount Defiance, the real key to suc-
cess in operations against Ticonderoga, was still unfortified and unoccupied.^
On the first of July Burgoyne's army appeared before Ticonderoga. The
small garrison at Crown Point had fallen back to this point and Burgoyne es-
tablished there a hospital, magazine, store-house and base of supplies. He
disposed his forces with light infantry, grenadiers, Canadians, Indians and ten
pieces of artillery, under command of General Frazer, on the west side of the
lake at Putnam's creek. This force was moved up to Five Mile Point. On
the east side of the lake were the Germans, under Reidesel and Breyman ;
they were moved up to a point nearly opposite, while the remainder of the
army were on board of the gunboats and the frigates Royal George and
Inflexible dnder the immediate command of Burgoyne himself This fleet
was anchored between the wings of the army and just out of cannon shot from
the fort.
1 Let not people consider their distance from my camp ; I have but to give stretch to the Indian
forces under my direction — arid they amount to thousands — to overtake the banded enemies of (J real
Britain. If the frenzy of hostility should remain, ^ trust I shall stand acquitted in the eyes of God
and man in executing the vengeance of the state against the willful outcasts. — From Burgoyne's
Proclamation.
2 The imagined impregnability of these works would at once fail, in the event of this eminence be-
ing occupied by a hostile battery. St. Clair had been apprised of this momentous fact by the examina-
tion of the preceding year. Pont Le Roy, the engineer of Montcalm, evidently referred to it. . . .
And we cannot doubt that the possession of Ticonderoga during more than eighteen years, had dis-
closed the military value of this position to the British commanders. — Watson.
138 History of Essex County.
On the 2d the right wing of the British was extended on the flank, threat-
ening St. Clair's outposts, whereupon the small force on Mount Hope and at
the landing was ordered to burn the mills and the public property and fall
back within the American lines. Mount Hope was immediately seized by the
British, and, it is said, received its name from General Phillips, as expressive of
his feehngs at the time. St. Clair's communications with Lake George were
now severed and the eminence was at once further fortified and artillery con-
veyed to its summit by almost incredible toil, which operations were carried on
under a cannonade from St. Clair's guns. During these operations Burgoyne's
chief engineer, Lieutenant Twiss, reconnoitered what was then called " Sugar
Loaf Hill," the lofty eminence rising seven hundred and fifty feet from the
confluence of Lake- Champlain and the outlet and directly commanding both
Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. The engineer reported in accordance
with his belief, that the eminence was not only unoccupied, but could be
reached by a road for transportation of cannon in twenty-four hours. This
road was cut out during the night of the 4th, the sound of the choppers' axes
being drowned by a cannonade from Mount Hope, the Americans remaining
in blissful ignorance of the operation. Before morning several pieces of artil-
lery, which had been landed from the Thunderer were transported to the
top of the mountain. Holes were drilled directly into the rocks to which the
guns were chained ; ^ they comprised eight pieces, twelve pounders and eight-
inch howitzers. When the sun roSe on the 5th the British looked down on
the strongest fortress of the Americans, confident that they could destroy its
garrison and demolish its walls with the plunging shot from their guns. They
thereupon, as it is said, called the eminence Mount Defiance, the name it still
bears.
The astonishment and anxiety of the Americans, when the morning mists
swept back from the mountain and revealed the battery almost over their
heads, may be imagined. St. Clair saw that the position was doomed. A
council of officers was called ; but there could be but one decision, if the army
was to be saved — evacuation.
Even this alternative was threatened with disaster, as General Reidesel was
menacing the only avenue of escape by stretching his force aroifnd Mount
Independence to command the narrow water passage towards Skeenesborough.
Situated as they were, in full view of the British on Mount Defiance, it was
clear that the retreat must be made in the night, and preparations were at once
begun. At dusk a heavy cannonade was opened from the outer lines to cover
their movements while the garrison gathered stores of all kinds, which with the
sick and wounded, were placed in two hundred boats, with a guard of six hun-
dred men and embarked for Skeenesborough, in charge of Colonel Long and
accompanied by five armed vessels. At three o'clock on the morning of the
1 These holes are still visible.
Progress of the Revolution. 139
6th the troops began to cross the bridge. At this juncture, and in contradic-
tion of express orders, a building was set on fire on Mount Independence by
General de Fermoy. The brilliant illumination spread over the entire scene,
the British were aroused and prepartions for immediate pursuit begun. St.
Clair had not the time to destroy the bridge which had cost so much money
and labor, and Frazer hurried across it with a strong detachment in pursuit of
the fleeing Americans. Within the next few hours Burgoyne so broke up the
bridge as to admit the passage of two ships and several of his gunboats, which
were crowded on after the American flotilla. Of the moonlight voyage of the
latter Dr. Thacher vividly wrote as follows : —
" At about twelve o'clock on the night of the 5th instant I was urgently called
from sleep, and informed that our army was in motion, and was instantly to aban-
don Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. I could scarcely believe that my
informant was in earnest, but the confusion and bustle soon convinced me that
it was really true, and that the short time allowed demanded my utmost in-
dustry. It was enjoined on me immediately to collect the sick and wounded
and as much of the hospital stores as possible, and assist in embarking them
on board the bateaux and boats at the shore. Having with all possible dis-
patch completed our embarkation at three o'clock in the morning of the 6th,
we commenced our voyage up the South bay to Skeensboro, about thirty miles.
Our fleet consisted of five armed galleys and two hundred bateaux and boats,
deeply laden with cannon, tents, provisions, invalids and women. We were
accompanied by a guard of 600 men, commanded by Col. Long, of New Hamp-
shire.
" The night was moonlight and pleasant, the sun burst forth in the morn-
ing with uncommon lustre, the day was fine, the water's surface serene and
unruffled. The shore on each side exhibited a variegated view of huge rocks,
caverns and cliffs, and the whole was bounded by a thick impenetrable wilder-
ness. My pen would fail in the attempt to describe a scene so enchantingly
sublime. The occasion was peculiarly interesting, and we could but look back
with regret and forward with apprehension. We availed ourselves, however,
of the means of enlivening our spirits. The drum and fife afforded us a favor-
ite music ; among the hospital stores we found many dozen bottles of choice
wine, and, breakiAg off" their necks, we cheered our hearts with the nectarous
contents.
" At three o'clock in the afternoon we reached our destined post at
Skeensboro, being the head of navigation for our galleys. Here we were un-
suspicious of danger; but, behold ! Burgoyne himself was at our heels. In
less than two hours we were struck with surprise and consternation by a dis-
charge of cannon from the enemy's fleet, on our galleys and bateaux lying at
the wharf By uncommon efforts and industry they had broken through the
bridge, boom and chain, which cost our people such immense labor, and had
140 History of Essex County.
almost overtaken us on the, lake, and horribly disastrous indeed would have
been our fate. It was not long before it was perceived that a number of their
troops and savages had landed, and were rapidly advancing towards our little
party. The officers of our guard now attempted to rally the men and forrti
them in battle array : but this was found impossible ; every effort proved un-
availing ; and in the utmost panic they were seen to fly in every direction for
personal safety. In this desperate condition I perceived our officers scamper-
ing for their baggage ; I ran to the bateaux, seized my chest, carried it a §hort
distance, took from it a few articles, and instantly followed in the train of our
retreating party. We took the route to Fort Anne, through a narrow defile
in the woods, and were so closely pressed by the pursuing enemy that we fre-
quently heard calls from the rear to ' march on, the Indians are at our heels.'
" Having marched all night we reached Fort Anne at five o'clock in the
morning, where we found provisions for our refreshment. A small rivulet
called Wood creek is navigable for boats from Skeensboro to Fort Anne, by
which means some of our invalids and baggage made their escape ; but all our
cannon, provisions, and the bulk of our baggage, with several invalids fell into
the enemy's hands."
While Burgoyne was engaged in these successful operations, St. Clair pur-
sued a forced and disorderly march towards Castleton, which he reached in the
following night. The three regiments constituting the rear guard of the Amer-
icans, under Warner, Francis and Hale, halted at Hubbardton to reorganize
and collect the stragglers who had fallen out on the hurried retreat. They oc-
cupied a favc^able position and there awaited an expected attack. Frazer was
near at hand, having lain on his arms the preceding night, and without waiting
for the expected arrival of Reidesel, attacked the American lines with vigor.
Frazer had but 850 regulars, while the opposing force numbered about 1,300;
but this disparity was soon equalized by the retreat of Hale's regiment.^ A
long and bloody engagement followed, in which victory seemed alternately to
belong to either side. Francis fell at the head of his regiment. Warner suc-
ceeded in joining Schuyler at Fort Edward. Six miles from this battle-field
lay St. Clair with his detachment, the co-operation of which might have turned
defeat into victory. That he did not move for that purpose is attributed by
his apologists to the fact that his militia refused to march.
The capture of Ticonderoga caused deep consternation and regret through-
out the colonies and general rejoicing in England. It had been looked upon as
an impregnable stronghold, a.nd to see it fall without a battle, filled the Amer-
icans with despondency and gloom. Charges of baseness and treachery were
1 Hale's regiment was largely composed of sick and convalescent soldiers and after a sharp skir-
mish, continued to retreat to Castleton ; but he was intercepted by a British detachment and himself
and nearly his whole regiment captured. Hale has been charged with misconduct on this occasion,
but the testimony of those who were present in the engagement and of other patient investigators is to
the effect that his action was justified by the circumstances by which he was surrounded.
Progress of the Revolution. 141
freely indulged in towards St. Clair and Schuyler, and the latter was again su-
perseded. Even the serene mind and cool judgment of Washington was dis-
turbed.i The truth is, the actual force and condition of St. Clair's army had
been over-estimated, both by army officers at a distance and the general
public.
Burgoyne's advance was temporarily checked at Fort Anne by Colonel
Long, but the latter was forced to retreat ; setting fire to the fort, he fled to
Fort Edward. Here was General Schuyler, his provisions nearly exhausted and
with little ammunition. Being in no condition to offer effective resistance, the
whole force was compelled to fall back to Albany. It was in this crisis that
the soul of Washington arose to that height of hopefulness, patience and calm
strength so seldom reached. Said he in a letter to Schuyler: "This stroke is
severe indeed, and has distressed us much. But, notwithstanding things at
present have a dark and gloomy aspect, I hope a spirited opposition will check
the progress of General Burgoyne's army, and that the confidence derived from
his success will hurry him into measures that will, in their consequences, be
favorable to us. We should never despair. Our situation has before been un-
promising, and has changed for the better; so, I trust, it will again."
Contemporaneously with Burgoyne's operations thus far described was
Colonel Barry St. Leger's march from Montreal to Oswego, to form a junction
with the Indians and Tories collected under Johnson and Brant, whence
they hoped to penetrate to the Mohawk River by way of Oneida lake, and
Wood creek, with the ultimate view of joining Burgoyne at Albany. To the
office of general history must be resigned the details of this unsuccessful cam-
paign, the failure of which formed a part of the general calamity that was to
overtake Burgoyne.
Gates was now again at the head of the northern military department.
General Stark was at Bennington with a part of a brigade. At this point the
Americans had collected a large quantity of stores which Burgoyne, finding
himself short of provisions, determined to capture and at the same time secure
loyalist volunteers. An expedition was fitted out for this purpose, under com-
mand of Colonel Baume, about the middle of August. On the 14th they ap-
proached the American position and entrenched. Stark had collected a large
number of fugitives from the Hubbardton disaster and Warmer joined him on
the 15th. The next day Stark made a brilliant attack on the British and the
ensuing battle of Bennington ended with a loss of less than 100 Americans,
while the Hessians lost in killed, wounded and prisoners nearly 1,000.
1 The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event of chagrin and surprise, not
apprehended nor within the compass of my reasoning. I know not upon what principle it was founded,
and I should suppose it still more difficult to be accounted for, if the garrison amounted to 5,000 men,
in high spirits, healthy, well supplied with provisions and ammunition, and the eastern militia marching
to their succor, as you mentioned in your letter of the 9th to the council of safety of New York. —
IVaihington to General Schuyler, July, 15th, 1777.
142 History of Essex County.
Meanwhile Burgoyne's progress was slow, harassed as he was by the des-
solation Schuyler had wisely left in his way and continued attacks by the
Americans. Gates formed a fortified camp on Bemis's Heights, on the Hudson,
where he was attacked by Burgoyne, September 19th. The battle was unde-
.cisive, the British retiring to their camp on Saratoga heights (now Schuyler-
ville), to await the hoped for approach of Sir Henry Clinton from the south. The
latter captured the fortifications on the Hudson Highlands and burned Kings-
ton. Burgoyne now again attacked Gates at Bemis's Heights, but was defeated
and again retired to his camp. Here, harassed by defeat on all sides, his sup-
plies failing and finding it impossible to move forward and equally impossible
to make a successful retreat, he surrendered his entire army on the 17th of
October. At the opening of the campaign Burgoyne's army numbered 9,213
men. When he laid down his arms, his Indians having already abandoned
him, he surrendered 5,752.1
While Burgoyne was proceeding southward, as detailed, Lincoln was en-
gaged in collecting a force of 4,000 militia at Manchester, Vt, by which the
flank of the British army was seriously menaced. A portion of this force was
then detailed for an important movement which was intended should sever Bur-
goyne's communications and possibly seize Ticonderoga. Colonel Johnson,
with' a party of about 500 men, was detached and sent against Skeenesborough
and Fort Edward, and with the special object of covering the retreat of the other
detachments. One of these was commanded by Brown (about the same
strength as the first-named), and was ordered to proceed to the landing on Lake
George and rescue the prisoners held there, whiclf accomplished he was to act
upon his best judgment. Crossing Lake Champlain at the narrows above Ti-
conderoga, his band marched all night, kept together by signals imitating the
hooting of owls, and after severe toil among the rugged fastnesses of the mount-
ains that separate the two lakes for a distance of fourteen miles, he fell upon
the enemy by a complete surprise just as day was breaking. Three hundred
British troops were captured without resistance, with the works on *Mount
Hope and at the landing 200 bateaux, an armed sloop and a number of gun-
boats stationed here to protect the landing. One hundred American prisoners
were liberated, which was the primary object of the expedition. Captain Eb-
enezer Allen was detached by Brown with a small force to assail the works on
Mount Defiance. The precipitous acclivity was scaled and the battery captured
without firing a gun. Early the following morning Colonel Johnson joined
Brown before Ticonderoga. These united forces invested the fortress and called
on the commander, General Powell, to surrender. A defiant reply was returned
1 "It was, perhaps, no fault of General Gates, that he had been placed in command at the north
just at the auspicious moment (August 1st, joining the army the 19th) when the discomfiture of Bur-
goyne was no longer problematical. He was ordered by Congress to the station, and performed his
duty well. But it is no less true that the laurels won by him ought to have been harvested by
Schuyler."
To THE Close of the Revolution. 143
and after cannonading the works for four days, the attack was abandoned, the
walls being impregnable to the small guns in possession of the Americans.
At the landing Brown embarked a body of troops in the captured boats and
ascended Lake George, with the design of seizing Diamond island, where Bur-
goyne had deposited a quantity of stores.
When the tidings of Burgoyne's surrender reached Ticonderoga, the small
garrison dismantled and evacuated the works and started upon a stealthy flight
down the lake ; but they were not permitted to escape unscathed, for Allen in-
tercepted them near the site of the village of Essex, cut off and captured seve-
ral of the rear boats and seized about fifty prisoners, with stores, cattle, etc.
In their operations in the vicinity of Lake Champlain Carleton and Bur-
goyne had spared the property of the colony on the Boquet, now deserted by
its former inhabitants. But even the buildings that had been left by Arnold in
his rapacity and anger with Gilliland, became food for the flame ruthlessly kin-
dled by refugee Tories, fleeing British and their savage allies. It is the gene-
rally accepted tradition that not a structure was left by these marauders be-
tween the Boquet and Split Rock.
CHAPTER XV.
to the close of the revolution.
Brief Review of the Events of 1778-79 — Their Bearing upon the General Contest — Sir John
Johnson's Voyage up Lake Champlain — Its Professed Object — Cruel and Bloody Slaughter in the
Mohawk Valley — A Slave's Faithfulness — The Prisoners Captured — Plans for Escape from Chambly
— Jacob and Frederick Sammons —Thrilling Escape of Jacob — His Journey through the Wilderness
— An Unsympathetic Settler — Kindness of his Wife to the Fugitives — Raw Fish for His Food —
— Bitten by a Rattlesnake and the Heroic Treatment — Giving up to Die — A Hopeful Premonition —
Safe at Last — Approach of the End — Carleton's Expedition up Lake Champlain — Exemption of
Vermont from Devastation — Alleged Negotiations "with the Enemy — An Armistice — A Separate
Colony under the Crown — Sudden Termination of Negotiations by the Surrender of Cornwallis —
Peace.
THE subsequent events of the Revolutionary struggle bore not so directly
upon the history of Lake Champlain and its environs, as those which have
been briefly detailed. The year 1777 had been fruitful in military events of a
minor character, which are beyond the province of this work, yet all influenc-
ing to some degree the fortunes of the great contest. Among these were the bat-
tle of Brandywine, fought in September, ending in at least partial defeat to the
Americans ; the massacre at Paoli ; the battle of Germantown, October 4th,
claimed as an American victory ; the effort of Congress to secure the neutrality.
144 History of Essex County.
at least, of the Six Nations, December 3d, an effort which was once more re-
peated only to fail on both occasions. But the discouraging character of most
of these operations was happily overshadowed by the successes of the north,
as already described.
The opening of 1778 was signalized by a treaty of alliance with France,
which was the source of renewed confidence throughout the colonies ; but
though the year was, like the preceding one, filled with stirring events, nearly
all of them occurred far beyond the province of this work to record ; the his-
toric invasion and massacre at Wyoming ; the battle of Monmouth, at first
disastrous to the Americans, but saved to them by the genius of Washington ;
the destruction of the settlement at German Flats, and the bloody massacre
at Cherry Valley, were among the more prominent events of the year, which
closed without important or decisive advantage to either army. In November
of this year a large British force, and several armed British vessels advanced to
Ticonderoga and completed the devastation that had been begun on both sides
of the lake — a course that was, perhaps, justified by the rules of warfare, but
one that worked little good to the English cause, while it needlessly caused
much private suffering.
The year 1779 witnessed the attempt of the British to secure the alliance of
the neutral Oneidas, an attempt that did not succeed. It also saw the remark-
able expedition of Sullivan and Clinton into the heart of the domain of the Six
Nations and the destruction of many of their most important villages ; but the
general progress of the war was marked with but few signal actions ; it was
rather a continuation of the predatory warfare that had already distinguished
much of the career of the British arms. The struggle had now been continued
for five years, but the settlers of New York State were destined to still further
suffering.
In the spring of 1780 Sir John Johnson came up Lake Champlain to Crown
Point, at the head of a force of five hundred men, composed of British troops,
a detachment of his own Royal Greens, and about two hundred Indians and
Tories. From Crown Point he made his way through the forest to the Sacon-
daga river, and at midnight entered the north part of Johnstown so stealthily
that the sleeping inhabitants were endrely unaware of his proximity. He di-
vided his force into two bodies that they might cover more territory; and then
ensued a catalogue of barbarous atrocity almost too cold blooded and ruthless
to live in history. Families of men, women and children were brutally slaugh-
tered, their dweUings burned and their property destroyed. Incidents almost
without number occurred, the recital of which has brought the blush of anger
to the cheek of honorable manhood and filled the childish breast with horror
for a century. The Mohawk Valley was devastated in the track of the bar-
barous horde. The immediate object of this cowardly invasion was the re-
covery of some valuable plate which had been buried at the time of Johnson's
To THE Close of the Revolution. 145
flight in 1776. Since that time it had been faithfully watched over by a former
slave of Johnson's, who, with the aid of four soldiers, disinterred the silver and
■ laid it at his former master's feet. It was divided among forty soldiers for
transportation to Montreal. Common humanity will find it difficult to find, in
the quest of this property, justification for the inhuman accompaniments of
the expedition. At the time of this invasion Governor Clinton was at Kings-
ton. He hastened to Albany when the first intelligence reached him, collected
such militia as he could and marched to Lake George to intercept Johnson.
Colonel Van Schaick, with seven hundred men, followed the invaders by way
of Johnstown, in the event of their going in the direction of Oswegatchie.
Descending Lake George to Ticonderoga, the governor was joined by a body
of militia from beyond the lake ; but it was all to no purpose and Johnson
' escaped with his horde, taking to his bateaux, probably at Crown Point, whence
they proceeded down the lake to St. Johns. Their captives, among whom were
Jacob and Frederick Sammons, were thence transferred to the fort at Cham-
bly. These two, of the forty prisoners taken, resolved to escape, and the thrill-
ing story of the attempt is of such interest and so nearly relates to Lake Cham-
plain, that we quote it as given in Stone's Life of Brant : —
" On the day after their arrival Jacob Sammons, having taken an accurate
survey of the garrison and the facilities of escape, conceived the project of in-
ducing his fellow-prisoners to rise upon the guards and obtain their freedom.
The garrison was weak in number and the sentinels less vigilant than is usual
among good soldiers. The prison doors were opened once a day, when the
prisoners were visited by the proper officer with four or five soldiers. Sam-
mons had observed where the arms of the guards were stacked in the yard,
and his plan was that some of the prisoners should arrest and disarm the vis-
iting guard on the opening of their door, while the residue were to rush forth,
seize the arms, and fight their way out. The proposition was acceded to by
his brother Frederick, and one other man named Van Sluyck, but was consid-
ered too daring by the great body of the prisoners to be undertaken. It was
therefore abandoned, and the brothers sought afterwards only for a chance of
escaping by themselves. Within three days the desired opportunity occurred,
viz., on the 13th of June. The prisoners were supplied with an allowance of
spruce beer, for which two of their number were detached daily to bring the
cask from the brew-house, under a guard of five men with fixed bayonets.
Having reason to suppose that the arms of the guards, though charged were
not primed, the brothers so contrived matters as to be taken together to the brew-
ery on the day mentioned^ with an understanding that at a given point they were
to dart from the guide and run for their Hves, believing that the confusion of the
moment and the subsequent delay of priming their muskets by the guards,
would enable them to escape beyond the ordinary range of musket shot. The
project was boldly executed. At the concerted moment the soldiers sprang
10
146 History of Essex County.
from their conductors and stretched across the plain with great fleetness.
The alarm was given and the whole garrison was soon after them in hot pur-
suit. Unfortunately for Jacob he fell into a ditch and sprained his ankle.
Perceiving the accident, Frederick turned to his assistance ; but the other gen-
erously admonished him to secure his own flight if possible, and leave him to
the chances of war. Recovering from his fall, and regardless of the accident,
Jacob sprang forward again with as much expedition as possible, but finding
that his lameness impeded his progress, he plunged into a thick clump of
shrubs and trees, and was fortunate enough to hide himself between two logs
before the pursuers came up. Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired
upon them, but without effect. In consequence of the smoke of their fire,
probably, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw himself into the
thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had passed around it, they fol-
lowed on, until they were fairly distanced by Frederick, of whom they lost
sight and trace. They returned in about half an hour, halting by the bushes
in which the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near that he could distinctly
hear their conversation. The officer in command was Captain Steele. On
calling his men together, some were swearing, and others laughing at the race,
and the speed of the ' long-legged Dutchmen,' as they called the flying pris-
oners. The pursuit being abandoned, the guards returned to the fort.
" The brothers had agreed in case of separation, to meet at a certain spot at
10 o'clock that night. Of course Jacob lay ensconced in the bushes until night
had dropped her sable curtains, and until he supposed the hour had arrived,
when he sallied forth, according to the antecedent understanding. But time
did not move as rapidly on that evening as he supposed. He waited upon the
spot designated, and called aloud for Frederick, until he despaired of meeting
him, and prudence forbade his remaining any longer. It subsequently appeared
that he was too early on the ground, and that Frederick made good his ap-
pointment.
" Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. Johns soon after
day-break on the morning of the 14th. His purpose was to swim the river at
that place, and pursue his course homeward through the wilderness on the
eastern shore of Lake Champlain ; but just as he was preparing to enter the
water, he descried a boat approaching from below, filled with officers and sol-
diers of the enemy. They were already within twenty rods. Conceahng him-
self again in the woods, he resumed his journey after their departure, but had
not proceeded more than two or three miles before he came upon a party of
several hundred men engaged in getting out timber for the public works at the
fort. To avoid these he was obliged to describe a wide circuit, in the course
of which, at about 12 o'clock, he came to a small clearing. Within the enclo-
sure was a house, and in the field were a man and boy engaged in hoeing pota-
toes. They were at that moment called to dinner, and supposing them to be
To THE Close of the Revolution. 147
French, who he had heard were rather friendly to the American cause than
otherwise — incited, also, by hunger and fatigue — he made bold to present
himself, trusting that he might be invited to partake of their hospitality. But,
instead of a friend, he found an enemy. On making known his character, he
was roughly received.
" ' It is by such villains as you are,' replied the forester ' that I was obliged
to fly from Lake Champlain.' The rebels, he added, had robbed him of all
he possessed, and he would now deliver his self-invited guest to the guard,
which, he said, was not more than a qarter of a mile distant. Sammons promptly
answered him that ' that was more than he could do.' The refugee then said
he would go for the guard himself; to which Sammons replied that he might
act as he pleased, but that all the men in Canada should not make him again
a prisoner.
" The man thereupon returned to the potato field, and resumed his work ;
while his more compassionate wife gave Sammons a bowl of bread and milk,
which he ate sitting on the threshold of the door, to guard against surprise.
While in the house he saw a musket, powder-horn and bullet-pouch hanging
against the wall, of which he determined, if possible, to possess himself, that he
might be able to procure food during the long and solitary march before him.
On retiring, therefore, he traveled only far enough into the woods for conceal-
ment— returning to the woodman's house in the evening for the purpose of
obtaining the musket and ammunition. But he was again beset by imminent
peril. Very soon after he entered the house the sound of approaching voices
was heard, and he* took to the rude chamber for security, where he lay flat
upon the irregular floor, and looking through the interstices saw eleven soldiers
enter, who, it soon appeared, came for milk. His situation was now exceed-
ingly critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against him, or in a sin-
gle movement betray him. But neither circumstance occurred. The unwel-
come visitors departed in due time and the family all retired to bed, except the
wife, who, as Jacob descended from the chamber, refreshed him with another
bowl of bread and milk. The good woman earnestly entreated her guest to
surrender himself and join the ranks of the king, assuring him that His Majesty
must certainly conquer in the end, in which case the rebels would lose all their
property, and many of them be hanged into the bargain. But to such a prop-
osition he of course would not listen. Finding all her efforts to convert a
Whig into a Tory fruitless, she then told him that if he would secrete himself
two days longer in the woods she would furnish him with some provisions, for
a supply of which her husband was going to the fort the next day, and she
would likewise endeavor to provide him with a pair of shoes.
" Disinclined to linger so long in the country of the enemy, and in the
neighborhood of a British post, however, he took his departure forthwith.
But such had been the kindness of the good woman, that he had it not in his
148 History of Essex County.
heart to seize upon her husband's arms, and he left this wild scene of rustic
hospitality without supplies, or the means of procuring them. Arriving once
more at the water's edge, at the lower end of Lake Champlarn, he came upon
a hut, within which, on cautiously approaching it for reconnaisance, he discov-
ered a party of soldiers all soundly asleep. Their canoe was moored by the
shore, into which he sprang, and paddled himself up the lake under the most
encouraging prospect of a speedy and comparatively easy voyage to its head,
whence his return home would be unattended with either difficulty or danger.
But his pleasing anticipations were extinguished on the night following, as he
approached the Isle aux Noix, where he descried a fortification, and the glit-
ter of bayonets bristling in the air as the moon-beams played upon the bur-
nished arms of the sentinels, who were pacing their tedious rounds. The lake
being very narrow at this point, and perceiving that both sides were fortified,
he thought the attempt to shoot his canoe through between them rather too
hazardous an experiment. His only course, therefore, was to run ashore and
resume his travels on foot. Nor, on landing, was his case in any respect envi-
able. Without shoes, without food, and without the means of obtaining either
— a long journey before him through a deep and trackless wilderness — it may
well be imagined that his mind was not cheered by the most agreeable antici-
pations. But without pausing to indulge unnecessarily his ' thick-coming
fancies,' he commenced his solitary journey, directing his course along the
eastern lake shore toward Albany. During. the first four days of his progress
he subsisted entirely upon the bark of the birch — chewing the twigs as he
went. On the fourth day, while resting by a brook, he heard a rippling of
the water caused by the fish as they were stemming its current. He succeeded
in catching a few of these, but having no means of striking a fire, after devour-
ing one of them raw, the others were thrown away.
" His feet were by this time cruelly cut, bruised and torn by thorns, briars
and stones ; and while he could scarcely proceed by reason of their soreness,
hunger and fatigue united to retard his cheerless march. On the fifth day his
miseries were augmented by the hungry swarms of musquitoes, which settled
upon him in clouds while traversing a swamp. On the same day he fell upon the
nest of a black duck — the duck sitting quietly upon her eggs until he came up and
caught her. The bird was no sooner deprived of her life and her feathers than
he devoured the whole, including the head and feet. The eggs were nine in
number, which Sammons took with him ; but on opening one he found a little
half-made duckling, already alive. Against such food his stomach revolted, and
he was obliged to throw the eggs away.
" On the tenth day he came to a small lake. His feet were now in such a
horrible state that he could scarcely crawl along. Finding a mitigation of pain
by bathing them in water he plunged his feet into the lake, and lay down upon
its margin. For a time it seemed as though he could never rise upon his feet
.-J
To THE Close of the Revolution. 149
again. Worn down by hunger and fatigue — bruised in body and wounded
in spirit — in a lone wilderness, with no eye to pity, and no human arm to
protect — he felt as though he must remain in that spot until it should please
God in his goodness to quench the dim spark of life that remained. Still, he
was comforted in some measure by the thought that he was in the hands of a
being without whose knowledge not a sparrow falls to the ground.
" Refreshed, at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed his weary
way, when, on raising his right leg over the trunk of a fallen tree, he was bitten
in the calf by a rattlesnake. Quick as a flash, with his pocket-knife, he made
an incision in his leg, removing the wounded flesh to a greater depth than the
fangs of the serpent had penetrated. His next business was to kill the ven-
omous reptile and dress it for eating ; thus appropriating the enemy that had
sought to take his life to its prolongation. His first meal was made from the
heart and fat of the serpent. Feeling somewhat strengthened by the repast,
and finding, moreover, that he could not travel further in his present condition,
he determined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose and
feeding upon the body of the snake recruit his strength. Discovering, also, a
dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple he succeeded in striking a fire, by which
his comforts were essentially increased. Still he was obliged to creep upon his
hands and knees to gather fuel, and on the third day he was yet in such a state
of exhaustion as to be utterly unable to proceed. Supposing that death was
inevitable and very near, he crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of
which he commenced inscribing his name — in the expectation that he should
leave his bones there, and in the hope that, in some way, by the aid of the in-
scription, his family might ultimately be apprised of his fate. While engaged
in this sad work, a cloud of painful thoughts crowded upon his mind ; the tears
involuntarily stole down his cheeks, and before he had completed the melan-
choly task, he fell asleep.
" On the fourth day of his residence at this place, he began to gain strength,
and as a part of the serpent yet remained, he determined upon another effort
to resume his journey. But he could not do so without devising some substi-
tute for shoes. • For this purpose he cut up his hat and waistcoat, binding them
upon his feet — and thus he hobbled along. On the following night, while ly-
ing in the woods, he became strongly impressed with the belief that he was not
far distant from a human habitation. He had seen no indications of proximity
to the abode of man ; but he was, nevertheless, so confident of the fact, that
he wept for joy. Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression, he resumed
his journey on the following morning; and in the afternoon, it being the 28th
of June, he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in the New Hampshire
grants — now forming the State of Vermont. He remained there for several
days, both to recruit his health, and if possible, to gain intelligence of his
brother. But no tidings came ; and, as he knew Frederick to be a capital
I50 History of Essex County.
woodsman, he of course concluded that sickness, death or re-capture, must
have interrupted his journey. Procuring a conveyance at Pittsford, Jacob trav-
eled to Albany, and thence to Schenectady, where he had the happiness of
finding his wife and family."
The adventures of the brother were scarcely less thrilling, but this one
must suffice as an example of many similar ones happening on the frontier.
The devastation and bloodshed that had thus far marked the track of war-
fare upon Lake Champlain and its shores was approaching cessation. In the
autumn of the year under consideration (1780) and simultaneously with the
movements of Sir John Johnson in the Schoharie and Mohawk country, the
enemy was actively engaged against the settlements north of Albany, between
the Hudson and Lake Champlain, and also on the upper Connecticut river.
In order to create a diversion in favor of Sir John, Major Carleton came up
the lake with a fleet of eight large vessels and twenty-six flat boats, with up-
wards of a thousand men. The invasion was secretly conducted and reached
Forts Anne and George undiscovered. Both of these posts were captured,
with about a hundred and twenty prisoners. Stories of terrible cruelty were
told against Carleton's troops ; but they were positively denied by that officer.^
It is certain, however, that destruction and devastation followed the invaders
as far as the country offered anything to their hands, except on the eastern
shores of the lake. The pecuHar exemption of the territory of Vermont on
this and subsequent occasions, attracted attention and leads us to the conside-
ration of the equivocal position of that territory during parts of the years
1780-81. We have already reviewed the troubles growing out of the New
Hampshire grants. The people of these grants had formally declared their
independence in 1777, and under the name of "Vermont" had assumed to
themselves the attitude and prerogatives of a sovereign state ; they were filled
with bitter hostility towards New York, growing out of the firm conviction
that her claims were unjust and that Vermont had endured great wrong. In a
message from Governor Clinton to the New York Legislature (1780), he com-
municated important information respecting the designs of the Vermont peo-
ple, foremost, among whom was Ethan. Allen ; this information was derived
from two prisoners who had escaped from Canada. The substance of their
statements was that several of the leading men of the grants were forming an
alliance with the British officers in Canada ; that mutual consultations had been
held at Castleton and in Canada; that the grants were to furnish 1,500 or
2,000 men under command of Allen, etc. Color was given to these state-
1 In reference to Carleton's expedition, Sir Frederick Haklimand wrote to Lord George Germain
as follows : "The reports assiduously published on all occasions by the enemy, of cruelties committed
by the Indians, are notoriously false, and propagated merely to exasperate the ignorant and deluded
people. In this late instance. Major Carleton informs me, they behaved with the greatest moderation,
and did not strip, or in any respect ill use, their prisoners." This may have been true, but it need not
be added that such had not been the case on all occasions.
To THE Close of the Revolution. 151
ments by the fact that the two prisoners had not been together in Canada and
had escaped by dififerent routes. By later information the governor learned
further details of the purposes of_ the disaffected people. By this information
it appeared that the territory claimed by the inhabitants of Vermont was to be
formed into a distinct colony ; that the government thereof should be similar to
that of Connecticut, except that the nomination of the governor should be
vested in the crown ; that they should be allowed to remain neutral, unless the
war should be carried into their own territory; that they should raise two bat-
talions to be in the pay of the crown, but not to be called to service except in
defending the colony ; and that they should enjoy free trade with Canada.
General Haldimand was in command at Ticonderoga, and would not assume
the responsibility of deciding such important issues, but transmitted them to
England.
Such was the purport of Governor Clinton's information, and so powerful
was the weight of testimony that he did not hesitate to assert that they
" proved a treasonable and dangerous intercourse and connection between
the leaders of the revolt in the northeastern part of the State, and the com-
mon enemy." Aware of the feeling in Vermont, Colonel Beverly Johnson
wrote Ethan Allen in March, 1780, the letter being personally delivered by a
British soldier in disguise ; this letter was not answered and a second was sent
in February, 1781, which, with the first, was enclosed to Congress by Allen in
the following month, accompanied by a letter from himself in which he plainly
claimed the right of Vermont to agree to a cessation of hostilities with Great
Britain, provided its claims, as a State, were still rejected by Congress. In
April and May following the governor of Vermont commissioned Ira Allen,
a brother of Ethan, to proceed to the Isle aux Noix to settle a cartel with the
British in Canada, and also, if possible, to negotiate an armistice in favor of Ver-
mont; only eight persons were admitted to the secret design of this expedition.
Allen, with a small party, made the journey and remained for a considerable
time in consultation with the British officers, and many confidential consulta-
tions were held. From the beginning it seems to have been perfectly under-
stood by both parties that they were treating " for an armistice, and to concert
measures to establish Vermont as a colony under the crown of Great Britain. "^
Allen stated that " the people of Vermont were not disposed any longer to as-
sist in establishing a government in America which might subject them and
their posterity to New York, whose government was more detested than any
other in the known world." This sentiment was gratifying to the British offi-
cers and the cartel was arranged and a verbal armistice established to continue
until after the next session of the Vermont legislature, or longer if the pros-
pects warranted it to the commander-in-chief in Canada. As Vermont had
then extended her unjust claim over the territory of New York to the Hudson
1 Political History of Vermont, published by Ira Allen in London, 1 798.
152 History of Essex County.
river, that also was included in the terms of the armistice. During the con-
tinuance of the armistice the British officers were to have free communication
through the State, while the inhabitants were to be gradually prepared for the
change of government. ^
But the suspicions of the people were aroused and the earnest Whigs be-
came alarmed. When the legislature met, the apprehensive ones gathered in
large numbers to learn of the situation ; but the adroit dissimulations of those
in the secret quieted the suspicions of their neighbors, and " the Allen's and
their co-operators held communication with the enemy during the entire, sum-
mer."- In September negotiations were renewed, the representatives of both
parties meeting at Skeenesborough. But Sir Frederick Haldimand became
impatient and efforts were made to induce Vermont to make an open declara-
tion ; but the Vermont commissioners pleaded for more time in which to pre-
pare the public mind for the change, and asked that the matter might go over
the winter. It was, however,- stipulated that a British force might ascend the
lake with proclamations offering to confirm Vermont as a British colony, if the
people would return to their allegiance. The legislature of the grants assem-
bled at Charlestown in October. General St. Leger in consonance with the
arrangement alluded to, ascended the lake to Ticonderoga with a strong force.-
To continue an appearance of hostility to this movement, the Vermont people
posted a military force on the opposite shore, under General Enos, to whom
the secret was confided. Scouts and patrols were sent out in alleged mimicry
of hostile operations, but with no real intention of offering injury to each other.
On one of these occasions, however, shots were exchanged and a Vermont ser-
geant was killed. His men retreated. St. Leger saw that the body was prop-
erly buried and returned the uniform to General Enos, accompanied by a letter
of apology and regret. This letter was unsealed and its contents became known.
General suspicion was again aroused and a messenger was dispatched to Gov-
ernor Chittenden at Charlestown ; he, unsuspicious of the true situation, pro-
claimed the incident of the killing of the sergeant and St. Leger's remarkable
letter. The consequence was general excitement and distrust at Charlestown.
Major Runnels confronted Ira Allen and demanded to know why St. Leger
was filled with regret for the death of the American sergeant. An evasive re-
ply was returned. An altercation ensued, which gave the now alarmed board
of war time to prepare a document embodying certain portions of General
Enos's dispatches which would best serve their purpose, to be read to the leg-
islature and the people This action had the desired effect and the excitement
was allayed.
Meanwhile the progress of the great contest in other parts of the country
led up to the latest scenes and the news of the surrender of the great army of
1 Allen's Political History of Veitnont.
2 Stoxe's Life of Brant.
To THE Close of the Revolution. 153
Cornwallis, which virtually closed the war, reached the North. The effect of
the first intelligence upon the people was such as to induce Allen and his co-
operators to write the British commissioners that it would be imprudent to pro-
mulgate the royal proclamation at that particular time, and urging delay. The
bearer of this dispatch had not been an hour at the headquarters of St. Leger
in Ticonderoga, when an express confirmed the intelligence of the surrender
of Cornwallis on the 19th of October. The effect was electric. All idea of
further operations in that quarter hostile to the American cause were instantly
abandoned. Before evening of the same day St. Leger's troops and stores
were re-embarked and before a fair wind he sailed for St. Johns. Ticonderoga
and the lake were now at peace. ^
Whatever may be the reader's judgment upon this case, the early patriot-
ism of the men connected with it can never be doubted nor the value of their
services diminished. If they hoped to escape domestic tyranny, or what they
considered such, even by equivocal action, it is equally true that they hated for-
eign tyranny and promptly came forward to aid in putting it down ; and what-
ever may have been the designs of the leaders, the masses of the people of Ver-
mont amply vindicated their loyalty to their country through all the afflicting
scenes and events of the Revolution.
During the early months of 1782 Sir Frederick Haldimand made efforts
towards a renewal of the negotiations which had been so suddenly terminated ;
but his advances were received with the utmost coolness by the people of Ver-
mont. The interventipn of peace relieved this region from all danger of further
British invasion, but hostile feeling prevailed in the disputed territory until the
final adjustment of the claim of New York in 1790 and the establishment of
the boundaries.
With the close of the war the Iroquois Indians, dreading the possible ven-
geance of the whites, took refuge in Canada, with the exception of the Oneidas
and Tuscaroras. Their lands, with the exception of certain reservations, passed
to the possession of the State.
1 This version of these remarkable events is based upon the testimony of Ira Allen, as before
noted, and is the one adopted by many able vifriters. On the other hand, historians of equal ability
and judgment, take the high ground that all the apparently disloyal movements described were actuated
for the sole purpose of deceiving the enemy and thus escaping the destructive effects of war upon their
own soil ; that the peoiDle of Vermont never, entertained the idea of returning to the allegiance of
Great Britain. Stone says in a foot-note in his Life of Brant: " Sparks, adopting the views of early
writers, has noticed the case in this favorable aspect in his sketch of the life of Ethan Allen. The
author certainly agrees with Mr. Sparks in the opinion that 'there was never any serious intention on
the part of the Vermontese to listen to British proposals.' But with great deference, after a full ex-
amination of the case, the same cannot be said of the leaders of the Vermontese. They had deter-
mined that New York should be dismembered ; and if they could not force themselves into the confede-
ration as a'Ctate, they were willing to fall back into the arms of Great Britain as a colony."
154 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XVI.
E.\RLY SETTLEMENTS.
Persecution of William GilUlaiid — Petition to the Albany Committee — His Subsequent Career —
Hopefulness in Spite of Ill-Fortune — Loss of His Estates — Imprisoned in New York — Sickness
and Mental Depression — Appeal to Creditors — The Melancholy End — Occupation and Settlement
of the Champlain Valley — Division of Washington County — Internal Improvements — Ferries, Roads
and Bridges Built — Early Settlements in Various Localities — The First County Seat — Organization
and Boundaries of Essex County — Inauguration of Courts — First County Officers — Early Roads,
Mills, etc. — First Iron Industry — Early Schools and Churches — The Pioneer's Early Work — A
Picturesque Account of the Settler's Life — Early Industries — Formation of New Towns.
WE have in preceding pages given copious extracts from the journal of
William Gilliland, the pioneer of Essex county and the founder of the
colony on the Boquet river in the present town of Willsborough. The utter dev-
astation of the structures and other improvements of the colony, which Arnold
and Burgoyne had spared, by refugee Tories and British soldiers, in 1777-78,
has also been noted, with the ungrateful arrest of Gilliland on flimsy charges of
treason. Let us now briefly describe the succeeding events in his career, which
led to the melancholy end. At the beginning of the year 1778 Gilliland was
a prisoner at Fort Albany, whence he addressed a petition to the committee
of that city, dated January 15th of that year, stating the circumstances of his
arrest and bitterly complaining of " the unprecedented severity of confining
my person, thereby depriving me of the choicest and most valuable of privi-
leges, my liberty, for only purchasing a free article introduced to me as part
of the spoils of Burgoyne's army [this, was his second arrest] picked up after
the battle of the 7th of October, * * * when it's not thought any crime
for Major Stippens to enter my house with an armed force, and carry away and
detain from me my property to a considerable amount without even proving
or attempting to prove his having any right to or interest in the same." He
also complains of General Gates for divesting him of his remaining slaves by
offering them encouragement to desert his service, and adds, "by the losses I
have sustained, and by the robbery of my cellar a few nights ago, of upwards
of four hundred pounds value of hquor, sugar, etc., out of the little I have
saved and broughtfrom home with me, I am poorer by near a thousand pounds,
since my confinement, exclusive of my exposure here (which for very obvious
reasons is considerable), and besides the charge of supporting a large and help-
less family, in times of the greatest dearth that was ever known or felt in this
or any other country." This remarkable petition contains the following para-
graph : " You are very sensible, gentlemen, that no laws, divine or human, just-
ify such acts of violence and oppression, as these now practicing upon me !
Will you, the guardians of these parts, be tame spectators thereof, without ex-
William Gilliland.
Early Settlements. 155
ercising that authority vested in you by the suffrage of a free people to pre-
vent mihtary officers (the more dangerous as they are more exalted in rank)
to sap the foundation of our new constitution before it be sufficiently estab-
lished, and through the persecution of an innocent individual to make the most
dangerous attack and innovation upon the sacred rights and inestimable privi-
leges of the people ; of those especially who are your immediate constituents.
Where then are the benefits expected from magna charta, the bill of rights,
the habeas corpus act and all other privileges now contending for, and which
the subjects of free and independent states claim, and ever ought to enjoy ?
Are they to be trampled upon by the military through the timidity of those in
civil authority ? No, I trust not, though I dread the consequences of prece-
. dents from which evils of the most enormous size, and pernicious tendency,
may originate and flow."
The oppressed prisoner called upon the officers to whom he had often
shown kindness to come forward and certify in his behalf, and alleged that a
number had called on him and were willing to do so, if given an opportunity ;
adding, "from a handsome income arising from my tenants, farms, mills, etc.,
and from the greatest part of my personal property, have I fle^ ; those have I
sacrificed to the fury of the enemy, rather than join with, aid or comfort them ;
and have thrown myself, my aged mother, my motherless children into your
arms, into the American arms for shelter and protection ; * * * but lo !
behold the reception I have met with, the treatment I have received : instead
of alleviating my distress by acts of kindness and beneficence, I am shut up in
a prison."
It seems pitiful at this time, as well as unaccountable, that this pioneer,
whose memoranda show that as early as the close of the war he had initiated
the iron industry in what is now Essex county, and dimly advanced the idea
of connecting Lake Champlain and the Hudson by navigable waters, should
thus be confined, and such eloquent pleas for release go unheard or, at least,
unresponded to. It can only be accounted for upon the ground that in time
of war, individual injustice must often be suffered.
During the next three years, to 1780, Gilliland's whereabouts are enveloped
in obscurity ; but immediately succeeding the latter date the journal shows
numerous applications to him for lands, continuing down to 1784, and embrac-
ing 200 names; this fact shows how the tide of immigration turned to the
Champlain valley at the close of the war. It is deemed more than probable that
Gilliland was, during this period, absent from the location of his colony. The
numerous applications to him for lands, upon which it would seem he posssessed
the right to set a price comparative with the value of other similar tracts, would
undoubtedly have placed him in a position of independence and averted the
oncoming disaster, but for the fact that he had not secured the necessary patents
for his tracts, embracing, as he says, " upwards of 8,000 acres, to which he is en-
156 History of Essex County.
titled by virtue of purcliases by him made from officers and soldiers, thereunto
entitled by virtue of said proclamation (that of the British king in 1 763), amount-
ing in every respect to the most solemn mandamus." This quotation is from a
petition, dated Albany, December 30th, 1783, and addressed to the State Leg-
islature, praying for the issuance by that body of the necessary letters patent
for those lands. To the petition was attached the names and rank of the offi-
cers and soldiers from whom Gilliland had purchased his land. Gilliland re-
turned to find his possessions desolated and overgrown by nature to almost
their original wildness, fences and bridges decayed and roads obstructed ; but
he was still hopeful. He felt that he. was the rightful possessor of the patent
at Bessborough, the large estate at Cumberland Head, a broad tract in the
present towns of Beekmantown and Chazy, Clinton county, the Isle la Motte,
besides the vast estate of the Boquet. And now the opportunity seemed to
have arrived when he could build up his shattered fortunes by transferring
lands to others for valuable consideration. He was destined to disappointment.
Through the efforts of designing and interested persons consolidated into a
powerful company, his estates were seized and patents for them obtained from
the State, which, in deciding between the claimants, gave judgment against
Gilliland's title, thus wresting from him at one fell swoop the most valuable
part of his possessions. He thereupon invested the remainder of his means
and energies in a futile attempt to revive a traffic in lumber, staves, etc., etc.,
which he had established with Canada before the Revolution ; the enterprise
was confided to a faithless agent and the principal was defrauded of the entire
proceeds.
We have already mentioned the charge that Gilliland brought of the at-
tempts to incite the slaves to desertion, attempts which must have finally suc-
ceeded. It was the opinion of Mr. Watson that Gilliland laid himself hable in
some manner to the law in Massachusetts, in connection with efforts to re-
cover his slaves. In his journal he mentions "a fine " and a private judgment
"in the negro business." This judgment appears in the name of Hopkins &
IngersoU, of Great Barrington, Mass. Gilliland was impri.soned in New York
on this and perhaps other judgments. Following is a certificate showing the
particulars of the matter: " I, Jonathan Pearsee, keeper of the gaol in the city
and county of New York, do certify, that William Gilliland was committed to
the said gaol on the 2 1st day of February, 1786, and continued in actual con-
finement until the 3d day of Decem'ber, 1791, at the suit of Hopkins & In-
gersoU.
" Signed, -JONATHAN PEARSEE."
The sense of injustice under which Gilliland labored is shown through a
letter which he wrote his son in July, 1791. He states that the judgment
against him was for 696 pounds, and that Hopkins & IngersoU had informed
him that " a present of 40 or 50 dollars, judiciously divided between Bristol
Early Settlements. 157
and Flora, would satisfy all demands against me on that score." On this phase
of the situation, he wrote, after being advised by friends to settle with the par-
ties, " I answered him that if it was an advantage to the State of Massachu-
setts at large, that my slaves should be emancipated, it should be at the charge
of the people of that State, and not by the owner of such slaves — as I might
thereby be totally ruined to gratify such, their iniquitous wishes : that I had
only been 2,300 days here (in the prison) and was determined to remain here
several days more, rather than sacrifice my property to my utter ruin, to gratify
their caprices." This smacks of his determination to suffer heroic martyrdom,
rather than suffer an injustice. In the same letter he places his losses, direct
and incidental, from the inception of the Revolutionary war to the year 1791,
at 70,000 pounds, New York currency.
" In accordance with some family arrangement, Gilliland, soon after the re-
occupation of his property, distributed among his children large portions of
his estate in the Champlain valley. Heavy debts, which had accumulated un-
der the paralysis of the times, began to press severely upon him. Money was
nearly unattainable. What pecuniary means he had saved were either sunk in
the wreck of the lumber speculation, or diverted to their own purposes by
those to whom they had been confided. The wheels of business were again in
motion, but their movements were still feeble and irregular. No property, least
of all landed estates, afforded any revenue. Numerous suits were commenced
against him and heavy judgments were impending. Many of these claims,
such as that resulting from the slave difficulty, he considered unjust and iniq-
uitous. Under such circumstances he determined, not wisely, I think, to place
his property in a position to be protected against the demands he repudiated,
and to prevent its sacrifice by creditors who had become inexorable. "^
Hence Gilliland's confinement on the jail limits of New York city, as stated.
Here the persecuted old man soon succumbed to his depressing surroundings
and circumstances. He who had spent his days in the most active scenes of
outdoor life amid nature's grand scenes, soon withered and sunk under the
pressure of confinement, and disease and mental depression followed. His
once powerful mind was crushed and weakened by his accumulated troubles
and while he should have been in the vigor of ripening manhood, his intellect
gave way. No one can read the following proposal which he made to his cred-
itors in 1789, without the most profound pity: —
" Proposals of Wm. Gilliland to his creditors : —
" Gentlemen : — You have been pleased to institute suits against me for
several sums of money ; some of which are justly due, and some not. How-
ever, it answers no good purpose for you or me, to keep me in durance here,
but quite the reverse, by tying up my hands, and thereby preventing me from
collecting money to pay off all my debts, which I am persuaded I could soon
1 Watson's Pioneer History of the Champlain Valley.
158 History of Essex County
do, was I at liberty. But I find by woeful and long experience that it is in
vain for me to depend on others. I therefore want from you, gentlemen, rea-
sonable time for the payment of what I owe. One year for the one-half, and
two years for the payment of the other, for which I will put into the hands of
faithful trustees ample security, payable with interest. Some may suppose this
time along one, but you will be pleased to consider the uncommon scarcity of
money, the very heavy losses I have had the misfortune to sustain during the
late war, and that numbers have tripled the time granted them, who have not
suffered any losses compared to mine. On the 7th of January next, I shall
have been confined here four long and tedious years, to the very great injury
of my health and estate. It is high time I should have it in my power to put
a stop to the depredation and waste committed, and daily making on my es-
tate, which will be beneficial to you and greatly so to,
" Gentlemen,
" Your most humble servant,
"Will. Gilliland."
This appeal was addressed to the attorneys of creditors, and seems not to
have been effectual.
When liberated, after imprisonment of nearly six years, the pioneer returned
to his ruined possessions, as far as they had not been wrested from him. But
he was no longer the hardy and indomitable man who had wrought a thriving
colony from the wilderness. His partial insanity was evident and he was
deemed incompetent to have the charge of his affairs. He went to reside with
his son-in-law, Daniel Ross, at Essex. Here he wandered about the scenes of
his former successes, pitifully imagining himself still the owner of great estates
and as about to enter upon gigantic projects of improvement. Knowing,
however, the entire region as no other man did, he was still often sought for
counsel in the location of lands and in that capacity became slightly connected
with a powerful association for the purchase and location of real estate, of which
Piatt Rogers was the head in northern New York ; in this way he created a
small pecuniary interest in their operations. About the ist of February, 1796,
while on his return from a visit to Mr. Rogers at Basin Harbor, traveling on
foot amid the snows of winter, he wandered from his path, " either in an excess
of his mental malady, or to examine a lot of wild land in the vicinity, which
he had received from the association for services." His continued absence
excited alarm and search was instituted which resulted in the finding of his
dead body in the solitudes of the mountains. Before giving up to the sick-
ness or weakness that must have finally overcome him, he had evidently
struggled desperately for life, as his hands and knees were worn to the nerves
by crawling upon the frozen ground.
Mr. Watson thus vividly pictures the end of Gilliland's career : " The ca-
reer of Gilliland was a romance. Its strange vicissitudes not only invoke our
Early Settlements. 159
sympathy and compassion, but are calculated to impart solemn and salutary
admonition. The pioneer of the Champlain valley thus piteously perished, in
what should have been the ripeness of his years, and the plentitude of his pow-
-ers and usefulness — for his age was scarcely three score. The former lord of
a vast domain, the generous patron and tender father, the dispenser of munifi-
■cent hospitalities, the associate and counselor of vice-royalty, died far away
from human care, of cold and famine, with no voice of love to soothe his suf-
ferings, and no kind hand to close his eyes."
Such was the pathetic end of the remarkable and romantic career of the
pioneer of Essex county. It is a story that no person of sensibility can read
without feeling deeply for the wrongs of this once possessor of a baronial do-
main, where his hospitality was almost kingly, his success almost phenomenal
and his energy almost superhuman ; a domain to which he returned alone to
<lie, while his once strong mind wandered in the dim border lands of insanity.
In the cemetery at Essex village is a stone bearing the following inscrip-
tion : —
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
WM. GILLILAND, ESQ ,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 2D FEB., 1796,
AGED 62 YEARS.
E-RECTED BY W. AND H. ROSS. I
With the return of peace a current of emigration set in to the valley of
Take Champlain, the forerunner of a hardy and energetic population. The
most valuable lands along the western shore soon attracted attention and as
early as 1784 Ticonderoga and Crown Point were settled. George and Alex-
ander Trimble were among the first and most prominent pioneers to this local-
ity. In the same year Amos and David Stafford settled on two lots on Whal-
lon's bay. The detailed progress of these and other settlements is reserved
for the subsequent histories of the various towns.
In the year 1788 Washington county was divided and the new county of
Clinton organized ; it embraced the present counties of Essex, Clinton and the
•eastern portion of Franklin. The new county was divided into four towns,
Champlain, Plattsburgh, Crown Point and Willsborough ; these towns were
incorporated at the same time the county was formed. Charles Piatt was ap-
pointed the first judge of Clinton county, and William McAuley, of Wills-
borough, one of the side judges. Plattsburgh was made the county seat.
Early in the reign of peace the State Legislature began to take action
"towards making public improvements. One of the first of these movements
was an order of 179 1 for an exploration and survey to ascertain the most eligi-
ble method of removing obstructions from the Mohawk and Hudson rivers,
with a view to improve their navigation by the construction of canals. In the
following year two companies were incorporated, the Northern and Western
1 See history town of Essex, herein.
i6o History of Essex County.
Inland Lock Navigation Companies ; the purpose of the former was to facili-
tate navigation by connecting Lake Champlain with the Hudson river. This
company made some progress and work was actually begun ; but it failed for
want of funds and the enterprise was left for later years.
At this time no road had been opened in this county from Willsborough
north of the Boquet river, and the traveler in that direction was forced to trust
to the guidance of " blazed " trees. The route extended through the forest to
the Ausable river, which was crossed on the high bridge about three miles be-
low the site of Keeseville. (See history of Chesterfield.) From that point a
wood road led to Plattsburgh, and it is probable that a similar track was the
only avenue of intercourse southward from Split Rock to Crown Point. It
was seventy miles from Ticonderoga settlement to Plattsburgh, and the pio-
neers were compelled to travel that distance to get to the courts. In the year
1790 Piatt Rogers established a ferry from Basin Harbor and opened a road
from his landing to near Split Rock where it connected with the earlier road.
He bridged the Boquet in^the same season at Willsborough Falls, and opened
a road from there to Peru, in the present Clinton county. Rogers was remu-
nerated for these important services with large tracts of lands.
Meanwhile settlement gradually progressed. In 1792 Judge Hatch located
in the town of Essex at what is now known as Brookfield, then an almost un-
broken wilderness. In 1804 he removed to Northwest Bay, now Westport,
eight miles distant ; the removal occupied two days and the labor of four men
to open the road. A small improvement had then been commenced at West-
port, and a frame house, three log houses, a barn and a saw-mill erected. No
road extended south beyond the limits of the town, but a track was opened to
Pleasant Valley (EUzabethtown) where a settlement had already been begun.
A road also extended to the infant settlements in the present towns of Lewis,
Jay and Keene, but it was almost impassable.
In 1792 the Caughnawaga and St. Regis Indians set up a claim to a vast
tract of land covering almost the entire territory between the Mohawk and the
St. Lawrence rivers. This claim was urged with great persistency for several
years, but it was properly resisted on various grounds. The fact was amply
established that this territory was originally held exclusively by the Iroquois,
who had alienated and sold it to the whites.
The fertile valleys in the present town of Schroon were settled about the
year 1797, when Samuel Scribner, Thomas Leland, Moses Patee, Benjamin
Banker and Simeon Rawson came in from New England. The most desirable
spots in the present towns of Jay, Lewis, EUzabethtown and Keene were oc-
cupied previous to 1798. One of the numerous exploring parties that pene-
trated the wilderness climbed an eminence of the present EUzabethtown from
which a view was obtained of the lovely site of EUzabethtown village
— a valley worthy the brush of any artist — surrounded by towering moun-
Early Settlements. i6i
tains and made musical by the waters of both branches of the Boqiiet, and
named it " Pleasant Valley," a title which still clings to it and is thoroughly
appropriate.
A block house was erected in the present town of Essex in 1 792, for the
protection of the inhabitants against an uprising of the Indians, which it was
feared might follow the defeat of St. Clair by the savages on the Wabash.
This place became the first county seat when Essex county was organized in
1799, and the new block house was used as a court-house and jail. An act of
the Legislature passed in April, 1807, designated Elizabethtown as the county
seat, and the requisite buildings were soon erected in the " Pleasant valley "
for the accommodation of the courts and other country business. (See chapter
on public buildings, etc.)
While the block house was used, it was provided by law that the sheriff
should have discretionary powers to commit prisoners to the Washington
county jail.
The act organizing the county of Essex was passed March ist, 1799, and
gave the boundaries of the new county as follows : " All that part of the
county of Clinton lying south of a line beginning at the southwest corner of
the town of Peru, and running from thence easterly along the south line of said
town until it intersects the great river Ausable ; from thence down the river
along the north bank until it reaches the forks of the river, and from thence
along the north bank of the south branch until it strikes Lake Champlain ;
from thence due east to the east boundary of the state of New York." This
established the surroundings of the county as follows : North by Clinton and
Franklin counties ; west by Franklin and Hamilton ; south by Warren and
Washington, and east by Lake Champlain. The county embraced four origi-
nal towns — Crown Point, formed 1786; Elizabethtown, formed from Crown
Point 1798; Willsborough, formed from Crown Point 1788; and Jay, formed
from Willsborough 1798. All the other towns of the county have been formed
since the organization of the county, as will hereafter appear.
There were ordered held three terms of a Court of Common Pleas and two
terms of a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, to commence and end on the
days following, to-wit : one term each of the Court of Common Pleas and the
Court of General Sessions of the Peace to commence on the second Tuesday in
May and to end on the Saturday following. One other term of the said courts
to commence on the last Tuesday in September and end on the Saturday fol-
lowing. " Provided, that in any of the terms aforesaid the court may adjourn
previous to the day assigned, if the business will admit; these courts to be
held in the block house in the town of Willsborough for the county."
Until the completion of the census of 1800, the inhabitants of the county
gave their votes as if the law of division had not been passed, their votes being
dehvered to the clerk of the county of Essex or one of the supervisors, who
11
i62 History of Essex County.
delivered them without delay to the clerk or one of the supervisors of Clinton
county, on the last Tuesday of May of each year. The votes of both counties
being canvassed by supervisors from each county.
The first officers of the county were Daniel Ross first judge ; Stephen Cuy-
ler, clerk ; Thomas Stower, sheriff; William Gilliland, surrogate.
By an act of March, 1803, it was ordered that one of the judges of the
Court of Common Pleas of the counties of Clinton and Essex, with the super-
visors of both counties, or a majority of them, should meet on the 1st of Sep-
tember, of that year, at the house of Isaac Wright, an inn-keeper in the town
of Chesterfield, " and there examine and settle the accounts existing at the
time of the division of Clinton county." These officials were allowed the sum
of $2 a day for doing this work. The moneys collected in this settlement were
ordered paid to the treasurer of the county entitled to receive them before the
15th of April, 1804. Soon after the first Tuesday of the following May the
supervisors and overseers of the poor of the county met and apportioned the
poor -tax for the separate towns.
It will be understood that a large share of the labor of local officials in early
days was the laying out and opening of roads ; they were the first necessity of
the pioneers ; saw and grist-mills the second. We have already described sev-
eral of the first highways of the county. A road was authorized early in the
century to run from Sandy Hill along the Schroon valley, through Elizabeth-
town, and Lewis, and crossing the Ausable river at a fording place near Keese-
ville. This thoroughfare is still known as the old State road. Another prom-
inent early road, though of much later construction than the one just described,
was laid out from Westport through Elizabethtown, the valleys of the Keene
mountains and the North Elba Plains to Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county ; the
commissioners to lay out this road were John Richards, Ezra Thurber and Jo-
siah Sanford. A survey was made by James Frost, who submitted his report
to the Legislature in February, 1828. The following sketch of this and other
important highways from a correspondent was printed in a local paper ii) 1879,
and is worth preservation here : —
" The road as surveyed started at the lake at Port Kent, crossed the Ausable
at Keeseville and continued up the north bank of that river to the Ausable
Forks, thence in a northwesterly direction to the St. Regis river. It followed
the general course of that river to the turnpike in the town of Hopkinton.
The road was 74 miles long. Nineteen miles west of Port Kent it entered the
forest and continued through an unbroken wilderness for fifty-two miles. The
public lands in that section of the State were estimated at two hundred and
eleven thousand acres. In a report to the Assembly the committee say : 'A
reference to the map of the State will afford, at one view, in the opinion of the
committee, convincing proof of the great public importance of such a commu-
nication between the counties bordering on the St. Lawrence river and the
Early Settlements. 163
eastern extremity of Lake Ontario, and those situate on Lake Champlain. To
the former, it will give relief from the inconveniences of their peculiar situa-
tion, by affording them a choice of markets for their agricultural products ; thus
securing to the State a valuable trade, by diverting it from a neighboring prov-
ince. The manufacturing districts in the counties of Essex and Clinton will
also share largely in its benefits, by having a cheaper and more regular supply
of provisions, and by having opened to them resources, inexhaustible, for the
supply of wood and coal. It will increase the population, wealth and impor-
tance of the State, by inviting the agriculturalist to the occupation of much val-
uable land, and by increasing, to an indefinite extent, the manufactures of that
region. Such a work, for such objects, seems to the committee worthy the
spirit of enlightened enterprise which characterizes the State of New York.
The present condition and future disposition of the public lands through which
the road is to pass, seem to the committee to present considerations of the
greatest, interest. These lands are, at present, uninhabited and unsalable,
not for want of intrinsic value, but because they are, in a manner, inaccessible.
On the other hand they doubt not that by the completion of the design, so
judiciously commenced, they would soon become peopled by the enterprising
and industrious from our own and other States, and that their rapid sale would
more than compensate the expense of this important avenue.'
" In 1829 the Legislature appropriated $25,836 for the construction of the
road upon the line surveyed by Mr. Frost, and by the same act, the commis-
sioners were authorized to raise the additional sum of $12,500 by tax on the
land lying within three miles on each side of the road.
"As soon as the construction of the Port Kent and Hopkinton road was de-
cided upon a project was started by the inhabitants of the lower valley of the
Saranac river to open a road through the forest from Saranac Hollow to con-,
nect with the Hopkinton road at or near the point where it crossed the north
branch of the Saranac.
"In April, 1839, the Legislature appropriated $5,000 for that purpose, to
be expended lender the direction of John Palmer, George Marsh and Piatt
Newcomb. Under this act a road was built through the forest from the mouth
of the True brook in Saranac, crossing the north branch at the Forks of the
river and intersecting the Hopkinton road near Loon lake. This road was
completed in 1834.
"The first preliminary exploration of the Saranac road was made by the
commissioners soon after their appointment. I accompanied the commissioners,
and as it was my first trip in the woods, I retain a distinct recollection of the
event, although it was nearly fifty years ago.
" Mr. Palmer and Mr. Marsh left the village at an early hour in the morning,
with a lumber wagon filled with provision and camping traps. Mr. Newcomb
joined us at his residence in South Plattsburgh, and, after a long and tedious
i64 History of Essex County.
ride over a very rough, stony and hilly road, we reached the residence of Zeb.
Baker at Saranac Hollow (the devil's half acre in No. 4) at early candle light.
Baker lived in a large, rambling, unfinished, two story house near the north
end of the bridge. That night we slept on the floor and the next morning,
having been joined by the rest of the party, among whom I remember Jim
Baker, Harry Bartlett, Ira Vaughan and Zar. Gregory, we went as far as the old
Barnes saw-mill (on the True brook). This was the end of all appearance of
a road. Here the provision and camp equipage were transferred from the
wagon to sleds which were dragged by oxen through the woods to the forks
of the river. Ira Vaughan (not the chief justice of Redford) acted as guide.
" We reached the forks that afternoon and encamped on the west bank of
a small brook. The next morning Judge Palmer, Mr. Marsh and Vaughan
started for Alder brook through the woods on the south side of the north
branch, while Mr. Newcomb and the rest of the party remained behind to
transport the provision and traps up the north branch on a raft.
" We were to meet at Alder brook that afternoon. I accompanied the land
party. We reached the mouth of Alder brook early in the afternoon, and
while Vaughan built a shanty, Mr. Marsh took to the river with pole and line
and Judge Palmer went up the brook to examine the lay of the land in that
direction. I remember that Mr. Marsh had caught a fine string of trout and
was returning down the river, when his feet slipped upon the rocky bottom and
he fell into the swift current. During his efforts to regain his feet he lost
his fishing tackle and trout. Judge Palmer returned and reported that while
making his way through a thicket he came face to face with a bear. They
looked at each other a moment, and then, by ' unanimous consent,' started off
in different directions.
" As we expected the other party would reach the camping place before
supper time, we had brought with us only enough provision for a noon lunch,
but night came without any signs of their approach, and it was not until ten
o'clock that a man reached us with a pack of provision on his back. He re-
ported that the raft had broken up, wetting most of the provisions and that
Mr. Newcomb had abandoned the river and camped about two miles below.
The next day the rest of the party arrived nearly empty handed, for during the
night their camp of boughs had taken fire and destroyed most of the property
that had escaped the perils of the river. The next day a man was sent back
to the settlements for a supply of provision, while the rest of the party con-
tinued the exploration towards Loon lake.
"The commissioners not only constructed a passable road through the for-
ests to the Hopkinton road but also repaired the road between Cadyville
and Saranac Hollow which until this had been nearly impassable."
Another road, constructed under acts of 1841 and 1844, runs from Lake
Champlain to Carthage, in Jefferson county, passing through the towns of
Early Settlements. 165
Schroon, Crown Point and Newcomb. The opening of numerous other high-
ways will be noted in the town histories. They were of paramount importance
to the early settlers, opening up the country to prospectors and enabling the
pioneers of one locality to reach those of another where his wants could be
supplied.
The first year of the century had not passed when the first steps were taken
in the iron manufacturing business, which has since developed into a leading
industry. In 1801 George Throop and Levi Higby, in connection with Charles
Kane, of Schenectady, began the manufacture of anchors at Willsborough
Falls. Mill and boat irons were afterward made and the foundry was subse-
quently transformed into a forge. For the first ten years the ore for these
works was brought from Vermont and Canada. Little was known of the ore
in the county at that time. Early in the century W. D. Ross erected a rolling
mill on the Boquet for the manufacture of nail plates for the factory at Fair
Haven, Vt., and about 1809 Archibald Mclntyre and associates erected works
on the Ausable in the present town of North Elba, which became known as
the "Elba Iron Works." They were abandoned about 18 15. Since that
early period the iron interest has been extensively developed in Essex county,
and its detailed history will be traced among accounts of the manufacturing
interests of the different towns.
The works operated by Mclntyre and his associates had the effect of call-
ing into that remote region a large and busy community, who there found
occupation. There schools were established, religious meetings inaugurated
and a general era of local thrift began. This might have become permanent
but for the almost universal difficulties over land titles. Nearly the whole of
the township of North Elba was then held by the State. The settlers post-
poned the perfection of their titles, thinking it was a matter that could be at-
tended to at a later day.- At this juncture a land speculator learned of the
great tract, went and inspected it and purchased from the land commissioners
the entire territory. Now the settlers endeavored to purchase from him ; but
he put them off with the assurance that the land was not yet in the market.
The prospect of going forward with their improvements, only to have their
homes taken from them or be made to pay an exorbitant price some time in
the future, was not a pleasant one, and they gradually abandoned most of
their settlements. ^
The early settlers of the county, in common with those of most other local-
ities in the country, no sooner became located in their humble homes than
they set about providing means for the education of their children, and rustic
school-houses were soon scattered — often very widely scattered, to be sure —
through the wilderness. Previous to 18 10 we find records of schools being
lln 1840 only seven families remained on the eighty thousand acres which now form the town of
North Elba. At this time the lands were offered for sale and emigration turned in that direction.
(See history of the town.)
i66 HiSTORV OF Essex County.
taught^ in six of the towns, the. first one in Willsborough having been opened
in 1787 by a Mr. Scott ;■ in Essex by Miss Towner ; in Schroon by Clark
Ransom ; in Keene by Asa A. Andreas ; in Lewis by Levi Parsons ; and in
Moriah by Miss Abi CoUins. Schools rapidly multiplied and were early sup-
plemented by church buildings.
Settlements had now progressed to a considerable extent all along the shore
of the lake and in many localities had penetrated deep into the primeval for-
ests. It is one of the pioneer anomalies that a majority of the settlers showed
a preference for the hills, over the lower and more level tracts of the valleys.
This is, perhaps, accounted for, as an old resident informs us, upon the theory
that the impression prevailed in early times that the hill land was much the
most productive, besides being dry, and hence accessible in spring and fall,
when the low lands were wet and muddy. This was the cause, also, of laying
out many of the early roads, either directly over the hills or along their sides.
Log houses sprang up in the forests, to be followed at a date much earlier
than was the case in many localities, by neater frame cottages, the building of
which was made possible by the early erection of saw-m.ills upon the rapid
streams of this region. The building of his house was the first earnest work
of the pioneer. If he found a few neighbors within a circle of as many miles, he
was aided generously and willingly in this work ; if not, he must do the best
he could with the aid of his brave hearted wife, and his boy, if he had one. In
such case the dwelling scarcely rose to the dignity of a house ; it was more
frequently a mere cabin. When the location had been fixed, the straight trees
were felled and cut into proper lengths, their ends notched and shaped, and
the logs laid up for the walls. Rough poles were put up for rafters, on which
were fastened strips of elm or the bark, forming a tolerably tight roof If there
was a door it was made of "puncheons " (tough planks split from straight-
grained logs and hewn into shape). A doorway was cut on one side of the
house, in which was hung either a blanket or a rough door made of the spHt
planks. Greased paper covered the one or two window openings until glass
was brought in from the settlements. There was here and there one, built not
long after the arrival of the first settlers, a little more pretentious in size and
style, but a log house sixteen fe'et square with a shingle roof, a board floor and
a small window of glass, was a rarity, a decidedly stylish residence, and sub-
jected its owner to the possibility of being considered an aristocrat.
Inside of these primitive houses the furniture was of a character to corre-
spond with the other surroundings. A few early settlers were able to bring
the actually necessary furniture with them, and nearly all brought a piece or
two as a reminder of their former more civiHzed homes ; but in many dwell-
ings the bedstead was made of poles driven into auger holes in the logs of the
house (which formed two sides), a post being set up at one corner. Across
this frame were laid other poles and on them the bed was made. In the ab-
Early Settlements. 167
sence of chairs a slab was split from a log, holes bored through it and legs
driven in. Necessity was the mother of invention in those days, no less than
at the present time, and the pioneer housewife's needs in the way of household
furniture were generally supplied in some manner by the ingenuity and skill of
her husband.
After a few years, when a dozen or more settlers could be summoned within
a circle of a few miles, the coming immigrant received a warm welcome. His
arrival meant the clearing of another farm, another social neighbor nearer at
hand, another strong and willing pair of hands for all good work and another
friend in case of adversity. Then the building of a substantial log house be-
came, instead of a tedious and toilsome job, a mere occasion of festivity inter-
spersed with a little work. The summons went out for a house-raising on a
specified day, and when a dozen or more wilHng men had congregated, every
one of them unsurpassed in dexterity with the ax, down fell the tall, straight
trees, the logs were cut and drawn together by the oxen ; four of the most ac-
tive and expert of the men, schooled by many a similar experience, were placed
at the corners of the foundation to cut and shape the ends of the logs, and long
before night the walls were raised to a height of six or eight feet, the rafters
were put in place, and the dwelling was soon ready for its pioneer occupants.
On these occasions the hard-working men were usually cheered in their labor
by a passing whisky jug, for within a short time after the first settlement it was
a cold day when a jug of whisky could not be found in almost any neighbor-
hood. The finishing work was put on the house by the owner at his leisure ;
but there was no delay in beginning " to live " in those diys ; the house which
was embodied in standing trees in the morning, sheltered the happy pioneer
and his wife at the supper table in the evening on the same day.
In these dwellings, although " house-keeping " was begun under many ad-
verse circumstances, who shall say that there were not as warm hearts, as true
domestic devotion and sympathy and as pure contentment and peace as ever
existed in the palaces of the world. Here the pioneer and his family began
life with faith in their Creator and faith in themselves — a life that was to carry
them from their present condition of trials and privations onward to the com-
forts of civilization. Frame dwellings followed the pioneer log house in Essex
county as soon as the settlers could compass the necessary means ; for mills
were numerous and lumber soon became cheap and plentiful.
His house once built, the early settler found ample work for his hands in
felling the forest trees, in the " logging bees " by which fields were cleared in
a day by the union of many hands, in planting a little corn or wheat, in sugar-
making in the spring, in caring for his limited stock and in supplying his house-
hold with venison and other game from the forest.
The forests in the region of which this work treats abounded, not only with
game that was a, heaven-sent boon to early settlers, but with wild beasts which
1 68 History of Essex County.
ravenously preyed upon the scanty flocks and sometimes imperiled the lives of
the people. Long after they ceased to cause any apprehensions to the settlers
themselves, these wild beasts, especially the wolves, were a constant source of
annoyance, and every man's hand was raised against them for their extermi-
nation. This work was encouraged by the offer of generous public bounties.
Under such efforts, and the gradually increasing population, the forests were
cleared of these foes to man and his civilizing work.
One of the pleasantest features of pioneer life and one to which the writer
may always turn with satisfaction, was the spirit of fraternity and sociability
and mutual helpfulness which pervaded every locality. Most of the early set-
tlers stood upon the same plane of life, and held the same hopes and aspira-
tions, born of poverty and nurtured in privation, which were common to all.
Each felt an impulse, dictated by the humanity that was sure to develop amid
such surroundings, to assist his neighbor whenever and wherever assistance
was needed, realizing that he might any day become the grateful recipient of
similar service. That social ostracism engendered by caste, a relic alike of
ignorance and barbarism, which it is the mission of the genius of American in-
stitutions to eradicate, and which inexorably separates the individual members
of a community at the present day, was then unknown. They mingled freely
with each other, and shared each other's joys and sorrows. In conversations
with that venerable remnant of pioneer settlers, or rather the immediate de-
scendants of the pioneers, we have been deeply impressed with the regretful
earnestness with which they recur to those happy days of their pioneer toils,
sympathies and joys.
But the pilgrimage and life of the pioneer was not all pleasure. Hardship,
unremitting toil, deprivation of all luxuries and many of the mere comforts,
were often his lot. An example of this fact, and one most vividly related, was
given to Rev. Joseph Cook many years ago by Mrs. .Adolphus Sheldon, of
Ticonderoga, who came into the county in 1797. Said she, in her own ex-
pressive language : " We came through from, the head of Lake George on an
awful cold day on the ice. No stage, no mail, or hardly any travel, so we had
no track. Mother was sick that day and lying in the bottom of the sleigh,
come once or twice near fainting. We thought for our souls we never should
get through where we could get water for mother. We did start to bring a
little spirits in the morning but forgot it. On neither side of the lake was there
any settlement except at Sabbath Day Point. There both sides and the whole
length of the lake the great pines stood all around on the mountains, one un-
broken wilderness. Not an axe had been heard there then or hardly a gun to
scare the deer — well, we got in at the upper falls, where there were onl}' two
houses. Captain Bailey's and Mr. Cole's. We lived in a small wood house just
above the rapids two weeks and then went to the Thornton place, just south
of the lower village, where we lived six years.
Early Settlements. 169
"We had heard that Ti. was a paradise, that we should find pigs and fowls
ready cooked running about with knives and forks stuck in their backs, crj'ing
' eat us ! ' But when we got there it was all bushes. In the new roads the
stubs stuck up as thick as your fingers, and down you would go at every care-
less step. The land was densely timbered. We had one cow and a yoke of
cattle. I'll tell you the way we built our first cabin. Father took 14-feet
boards and withed them up to four staddles that stood just right and covered
them over, hovel fashion. We moved in. On the 15th of April came snow
breast deep and there we were. It was a terrible storm — you could walk over
the fences, and we gathered sap on snow shoes. We all went to cutting logs
and when we got four walls locked together, half a roof and the chamber floor,
we moved in. When we wanted groceries we had to cross the lake to J. Cat-
lin's for them, but oftener went without them. I remember once going to a
mill and dusting up flour from behind the bolt that had worms in it, picking
them out and so making bread. We had brown bread, and wheat cracked in
milk. Land alive ! when we wanted fish, all we had to do was to run down to
the brook — there were schools of them big as a washtub. Father drew out
eighteen great trout one morning, I remember, in about three minutes. We
had provision left back on the way at Hoosack Falls, but we could not get it.
Finally father gave a man half of it for going with his team for it.
" Father had to work over the lake in Vermont to get hay for his ' crilteiaJ^
Mother and I when he was gone used to take the axe and bush hook and go
out to our clearing at the back of the barn and work all day. We used to cut
out all the underbrush and staddles, and pile them up, I tell you, sir, as slick as
bean poles ; and then, when he came home, he cut the big timber. Once we
logged there three days on a black fallow — father, and mother and I — and
had not a piece of bread to eat as big as your fingers, but only fat pork. I
could not eat it, but just took my fish hook and line and ran down to the
brook for fish.
" No sheep. Land! You could have no sheep ; the wolves would tear you
right down. You could hear them away off" in the night — one would howl,
then another would answer — howl, howl — then another, way off, howl, howl,
howl, — till they got up such a roar that it would almost tear you down. One
day I and my brother were standing on the bridge and three wolves came along
the road close to us. We thought they were three gray dogs till they got near,
and then we scampered, I tell you. Oh ! they were awful thick and danger-
ous. We never had any sheep. You could not keep any.
"The animals we feared most were bears, wolves, catamounts and rattle-
snakes. Deer were thick as sheep are now. Shot one from the house door
once.
" Gracious ! we didn't have any calico. Calico was worth a dollar a yard !
I took flax and spun it, colored it with copperas and made a dress that lasted
I70 History of Essex County.
ten years, and I went to balls in it. Little cloth enough in ladies' dresses in
those days. Two breadths, one in front and one behind, with a couple of
chinks to widen out the sides, were all that we could afford, and then they
were only just a little puckered up behind. Calico short gowns some had.
We had to card and spin our own cotton, you understand, buying it in bales
at twenty- five cents a pound. Land alive! the first calico dress I had cost
me $7.00, the next $5.00 — callamink they called it. I had a red broadcloth
cloak that cost $21. Fur hats tied under the chin were used for dress bon-
nets. Girls used to wear handkerchiefs tied over their heads in turbans with
a bow to dance in. Father made his own shoes. I made my own with cloth
and old felt hat for soles. Went barefoot in summer. I was married in vel-
vet shoes that father made.
" I must tell you about my marriage. You see Squire Perrego married us
and he was a squire and a doctor. So lots of folks came down, having been
invited. We had stew pie made for them in a three pail iron kettle, all nice,
and it was a good one too, but it would be an awful thing riow-a-days to boil
a big kettle over a fire place.
" After we were married we moved across the valley westward to the Shel-
don place where we had to tough it. I had toughed it at father's and now
I had to tough it here. Only half an acre was cleared. There we lived five
years without a stove or fireplace. We absolutely had no chimney. We
burned wood right against the logs of the cabin and when they got afire we
put it out. We used to draw logs right into the house, great backsticks and
foresticks.
"Sap from the maple trees was so plenty that we could hear it in the night,
drip, drip, drip, till morning. Deer used to come and stand right across the
run where I used to get water, and once one knocked down the door of my
oven not two rods from the house, but he didn't get the pie crust.
" Now came a trouble upon us. My husband had just got a grand fallow
burned as black as a coal, had worked out and paid for seed wheat, been to
get it, and coming home in getting over a log fell and almost cut his hand in
two on his sickle. He come home after I was abed, groaning : ' I've cut me
to death.' And he did come near bleeding to death. It absolutely bled a
small pail full and run out at the door though I did every thing to stop it. I
halloed and yelled to make distant neighbors hear and could hear nothing
but George Cook's sheep bleat and the patter of rain on the leaves. It
rained dreadfully that night. At last a woman that lived on the mountain
above us came, but she could do nothing. I resolved to make a desperate at-
tempt, for we believed that my husband would die. So I seized a great fire-
brand and ran. I had no shoes or stockings but I swung my fire-brand ahead
and each side to scare the wolves as I ran along the edge of the mountain and
crossed the valley to my father's place. Only a few days before my husband
Early Settlements. 171
had come along the path with a leg of mutton. He set it down on the leaves
a minute and the next day around that place half an acre of leaves was torn
by the wolves. When I had crossed the brook I heard something splash in
the water behind me. The rain roared so I could not hear for sure but I
thought it might be something and looked back but could see nothing. I tell
you the grass did not grow under my feet that trip. It was not bears or rattle-
snakes this time but wolves, wolves ! I was afraid of the wolves. I came back after
rousing my folks, with a candle. I heard Mrs. Wardwell from my house, cry-
ing out, murder ! murder ! I cried back and my folks thought it was to them,
and so they cried to me and the doctor a little beyond with my brother to
them. I to her, they to me, and my brother and the doctor to them, and so
it kept up a stream of halooes and yells through the woods. It was a wild
time but I only thpught of my husband.
"He was three weeks getting well. I did every thing. I used to harness
up my horse, go to the woods get my staddles, draw them in and cut them up
for wood. Three months I worked so, for he was obliged to go off to work.
Our fallow was now ripening a nice crop of wheat. Said I to him, ' That wheat
must be cut' 'I can't do it; I must work in my place,' said my husband.
' Then I guess I shall reap it to-day, myself So I set to work with my sickle
alone. I remember I had reaped through twice, raked, bound and set up my
grain, and was coming through the third time when I found a place where the
sprouts stuck up thick in the grain. I put my sickle round them and was
drawing it in, when out run a great black rattlesnake from the other side. I
got me a club and killed him and tried his fat. I put his body across a stump
and nine days after his head was cut off, when I went there and pressed a sharp
stick into him the flesh would squirm. We took fourteen sheep, but one night
we could not find them to yard, and that same night the wolves killed all but
one. One dead carcass we found in the crotch of a tree a good way from the
ground. ^
" I must tell you about one or two tussles we had with bears. There was
one that come into our cornfield and used to tear it down like a dozen hogs.
My husband tried every way, and at last set a gun for her just before dark.
'Now old woman,' said he, 'when that gun goes off you must go with me and
I will find the bear.' Just as we were getting into bed bang went the old gun.
' Here we are,' said I. He seized a big brand and I followed him out into the
clearing. ' Give me the brand,' said I. ' Just as well,' said he, ' I'll go for-
ward and find the old critter.' ' Take care,' I warned him, ' if she is wounded,
old man, she will make shoe strings of your hide.' No, he would not hear to
the old woman. He had not gone far when he tumbled right over the bear.
He hopped up, I guess near two feet at the bear's growl, and cried, a short
quick cry, ' O God ! ' Bear weighed 200 pounds, we tried the fat ; the meat
cut like pork, but I could not bear to eat it.
172 History of Essex County.
" When I wanted a broom I went out and cut a hickory club, dried and
peeled it. Berries were thick. I remember going out to pick berries when
my oldest son weighed twenty-three pounds. I laid him down among the bushes
after nursing and picked two pails full. Then I picked another pailful in my
great apron, and took the three pailfuls and my babe and carried them to the
house. Next day I carried these over the lake to Vermont on horseback and
brought back cheese, pork and flour. That was the way we got our groceries.
" I have given you a true account of how we used to live and what advent-
ures we met with. -It don't seem scarcely possible now that the woods are
cleared off, that such wolf-howling and kind of work ever were in these valleys.
" When I had nothing to do I helped my husband. I did not care what I
wore, had or did — anything to help him. I worked there and was black as a
nigger. We lived, as you might say, on work and love."
This vivid narrative needs no comment ; it is a picture of the pioneer's ca-
reer which was too often experienced. But the privations and hardships of
the pioneers of the county soon began to be mitigated by the advancing march
of civilization, the introduction of pubhc improvements, the influx of settlers,
the opening of roads, the establishment of schools and churches and the in-
creasing productiveness of the farms.
In the early days of the settlement of the county the productions of the
soil were limited almost exclusively to the necessities of the inhabitants. If a
surplus was raised there, was little market for it, except at a great distance.
Money was scarce, very scarce, for a number of years after settlement began,
and most exchanges were made by bartering one commodity for another.
Almost every dwelling had its loom ; boots and shoes were made largely by
itinerant mechanics ; while the actual food necessities were raised from the
ground. Had it been otherwise in these respects the scarcity of money would
have been felt in a much greater degree than it was. One source of obtaining
a little money and household necessities', which seemed almost a godsend to
the pioneers, was the manufacture of what were known as black salts and pot-
ash, both of them the product of lye leached from ashes, of which the people
could easily provide large quantities. It brought money into the country, en-
abled the settlers to pay taxes and buy the necessaries of life, and promoted
the clearing of land. For these products early merchants paid one-half cash
and the remainder in goods.
Distilleries were somewhat numerous in the county in early years, though
the business did not receive the attention that it did in other regions. But
whisky was almost universally drunk and was kept in almost every household ;
no public occasion would have been considered properly managed without the
omnipresent jug. At church raisings and similar semi-sacred events, even, it
was not looked upon as at all out of place, while laymen, churchmen and min-
isters alike drank the fiery beverage. Yet it is generally asserted that there
was no more drunkenness then than at the present time.
Early Settlements. 173
As the early settlers cleared their lands they turned their attention more
and more to agriculture and to the development of the lumber interest. In
many places the soil was naturally very fertile and not difficult of cultivation.
Along Lake Champlain wheat was an excellent crop and much of the labor of
the early farmers was devoted to its production. The average yield on new
land was about twenty-five bushels to the acre ; but the cultivation of this
cereal gradually declined as the soil of favorable localities became weakened.
Rye and corn were also early produced to considerable extent. Agricultural
operations were, however, largely sacrificed for the captivating business of
lumbering. The county was covered with heavy forests of valuable pine,
spruce and hemlock, interspersed with valuable hard woods, the cutting of
which and transportation to market has always seemed to possess peculiar al-
lurements to early settlers ; especially so where there was water communica-
tion with markets. Down to a comparatively recent period this has been an
industry of great magnitude in this county. The winters of the settlers were
entirely given up to it, and the falling of the valuable timber was proportion-
ately rapid, while agricultural interests suffered. Logs and lumber were raft-
ed, towed and shipped in immense quantities at first to Canadian markets, and
in later years, since the opening of the canal, to the south. One cause of the
vigorous prosecution of lumbering was, undoubtedly, the early conflicts over
land titles, which discouraged settlers from expending arduous labor in im-
proving farms from which they feared ultimate ejection. The old French
grants, embracing much of the county, had been superseded to a great extent
by those of the colonial government under the British proclamation of 1763,
authorizing grants of lands to be made to the reduced officers and soldiers who
had served in the Canadian campaigns. These grants were purchased in many
cases and sometimes located in the names of the purchasers and sometimes in
the names of the grantees. (These old grants will be further described in a
subsequent chapter on titles.)
The settlers, after the Revolution, found large and valuable tracts patented
to individuals, and often the pioneer who located a farm, believing his title to
be goofl, learned to his sorrow that another person had a prior claim, or at
least asserted one, and was driven .from his home. As will be learned from a
perusal of some of the town histories herein, it often became a mere question
of physical strength as to who should remain in possession of disputed terri-
tory. But these troubles were all finally adjusted and peaceful relations exist-
ed between the settlers in different sections of the county.
By an act of legislature, passed February 20th, 1802, the town of Chester-
field was formed from Willsborough. The first town meeting was held " in
the dwelling of Isaac Wright, inn-keeper of the town." The next town meet-
ing for the town of Willsborough was held at the house of Jonathan Lynde.
The towns of Schroon and Ticonderoga were formed from Crown Point in
174 History of Essex County.
March, 1804. The first town meeting in the first-named town was held at the
house of Israel Johnson, and that of the latter town at the house of William
Wilson. The succeeding town meeting for Crown Point was held at the house
of William Coon.
In April, 1805, the town of Willsborough was divided into three towns, form-
ing, besides the town of that name, those of Essex and Lewis. The first town
meeting of the former was held at the house of Nathaniel Rogers. That in
the latter town was held at the house of Thomas Hinckley, while the succeed-
ing meeting for Willsborough was held at the dwelling of Levi Cooley.
Moriah was formed from Crown Point and Elizabethtown in February,
1808 ; and Keene from Elizabethtown and Jay in March, of the same year.
These divisions were of great practical benefit to the inhabitants who had
been forced to travel long distances to the courts and for other public business.
In 1 8 10 the population of the county had reached 9,525.
On the 13th of March, 1807, the Essex turnpike road company was organ-
ized and incorporated under the laws of the State. Roger Alden Hiern, James
McCrea, Jonathan Lynde, Thomas Stower, Abraham Akin, Levi Higby, Ben-
jamin Vaughan, Belden Noble, Ralph Hascall, Jonathan Steel, George Throop,
Joseph Sheldon and Stephen Cuyler were the incorporators. The road au-
thorized was to begin at " Grog Harbor" on the west side of Lake Champlain,
in the town of Essex, and run northerly past the dwellings of Belden Noble,
in Essex, Joseph Shelden and Jonathan Lynde, in Willsborough, to Levi
Cooley's, and from thence to " intersect the great northern turnpike in the
county of Essex." There were one thousand shares of stock at twenty-five
dollars per share. The commissioners were Messrs. Hiern, Hascall and Higby.
As far as we have learned this was the first turnpike stock company incor-
porated in this county. On the 5 th of April, 18 10, an act was passed author-
izing the opening of a road from the outlet of Lake George to the court-house
in Elizabethtown. This- is the north and south road passing through Port
Henry.
From i8io to 1825. 175
CHAPTER XVII.
FROM 1810 TO 1825.
Mutterings of War — British Outrages — President Madison's Address to Congress — Declaration
of War — Review of the Contest — Operations in and near Essex County — Invasion of New Yorl<
from tlie North — Response in Essex County — Battle of Plattsburgh — The Naval Engagement —
American Victory — The Treaty of Ghent — Beneficial Consequences of Peace — Growth of Settle-
ments— The Cold Summer — Internal Improvements — The First Newspaper — State Legislature
Affecting the County — Boundaries of the County as Fixed by Law — Offer of State Lands, to Promote
Settlements — Early Ferries — New Towns Formed.
AGAIN was the country stirred by the mutterings of approaching war. For
several years the aggressions of Ihe British had been a subject of anxiety
and regret, and feelings of animosity increased on this side of the Atlantic.
The United States maintained a strict neutrality during the progress of the
Napoleonic war with Great Britain, but our rights as a neutral nation were dis-
regarded. The embargo laid by Congress upon the shipping in American
ports was found so injurious to commercial interests that it was repealed and a
non-intercourse act passed in its stead. In April, 1809, the English ambassa-
dor in Washington opened negotiations for the adjustment of existing difficul-
ties, and consented to the withdrawal of the obnoxious "orders in council," as
far as they affected the United States, on condition that the non- intercourse
act with Great Britain should be repealed. This was agreed upon. The pres-
ident issued a proclamation announcing that on the loth of June trade with
Great Britain might be opened. But when intelligence of this action reached
England, that government refused to ratify the proceedings and the minister
was recalled. The president's proclamation was thereupon revoked and the
previous relations between the two countries were resumed.
In addition to other injuries and insults to the Americans, England claimed
the right to search their vessels, seize all who were suspected of being British
subjects and force them into the British service. In the enforcement of this
right of search, grievous outrages were perpetrated which called loudly for re-
dress. On the i2thof June, 18 12, President Madison sent a confidential mes-
sage to Congress in which he recapitulated the long list of British encroach-
ments and declared that it was the duty of the House to consider, as it was their
constitutional right to decide, whether the Americans should remain passive
under the progressive and accumulated wrongs. At the same time he cau-
tioned Congress to avoid entanglements in the "contests and views of other
powers," meaning France.
War was formally declared on the 19th of June; but the measure was not
universally sustained, especially in New York and New England. The antag-
onistic element was embraced in the Federal party, its chief ground of oppo-
176 History of Essex County.
sition being the alleged fact that the country was not prepared for war. The
course of the ensuing contest can be but briefly reviewed. One of the early
war measures had in view, like many o' those during the Revolution, an inva-
sion of Canada. Steps were taken to gather forces along the frontier of north-
ern New York and thence westward as far as Michigan. These were arranged
in three divisions. The northwestern division assembled at Detroit ; the cen-
tral, under command of General Stephen Van Rensselaer, with headquarters
at Lewiston, on the Niagara river ; while the eastern division made its ren-
dezvous on the western shore of Lake Champlain, in the vicinity of Platts-
burg. A naval force was also placed upon the lakes.
The principal operations previous to the summer of 18 14, comprised an
attack by a small fleet upon Sackett's Harbor, which resulted in the retirement
of the fleet. An attack on Ogdensburg in October, 18 12, by a British fleet,
which was repulsed by General Brown. The capture in the same month by
Lieutenant Elliot of the British vessel, Caledonia, at the foot of Lake Erie.
The conquest and surrender of General Hull at Detroit, on the i6th of Au-
gust, 18 1 2. The attack on Queenstown Heights in October of that year,
which resulted unfavorably to the Americans. The surrender of the Ameri-
can forces after a sanguinary engagement on the Raisin river. The surrender
and abandonment of Ogdensburg in February, 181 3. The capture of Toronto
by the Americans who sailed from Sackett's Harbor under General Dearborn
in April. The return of the squadron and the assault upon Fort George (Ni-
agara river) in May, followed by the British evacuation of the other posts on
the Niagara frontier. The attack of the British on Sackett's Harbor in May,
and their repulse at Black Rock (Niagara river) in July.
Small bodies of the enemy appeared during this summer in the waters of
Essex County and committed the same class of depredations from which the
territory had suffered in the struggle for American independence. On one oc-
casion two armed galleys and two barges entered the Boquet river for the
purpose of seizing a quantity of government flour which had been deposited
at Willsborough Falls. Landings were made at different points and numerous
outrages committed and private property destroyed. A slight skirmish en-
sued between the invaders and a body of militia under General Wadhams near
the former entrenchments of Burgoyne, and many of the troops in the rear
galley were killed or wounded. She floated down the river a wreck and was
towed into the lake by boats sent to her assistance. The flotilla then retired
to the Isle aux Noix.
The next prominent event of the war was Commodore Perry's brilliant naval
victory on Lake Erie in September, followed by that of General Harrison in
October known as the battle of the Thames, in the northwestern department,
which re-conquered the territory of Michigan. Then followed the unsuccesful
attempt of General Wilkinson to invade Canada near Williamsburg, in Novem-
From i8io to 1825. 177
ber. The inglorious retreat of General McClure from Queenston and New-
ark and the burning of the latter place, followed by the retaliation of the Brit-
ish in the burning of Buffalo, in the winter of 1813-14. The attack by Gen-
eral Wilkinson on the British on the Sorel, in March, 18 14, and his repulse;
he fell back to Plattsburg and was succeeded by General George Izard. The
capture of Oswego by the British in May. The surrender of Fort Erie, on the
west bank of the Niagara, to the Americans in July and the bloody battle of
Lundy's Lane in the same month. The repulse of the British at Fort Erie,
and the brilliant sortie therefrom, in August.
During the progress of the last mentioned of these events, movements of
importance were being planned in other regions with which we are more in-
terested. The British army had been strongly reinforced during the summer
of 18 14. They contemplated a dismemberment of the Union by securing pos-
session of Lake Champlain and the Hudson river from the north' and the cap-
ture of New York city from the south, believing that the consequent division
of the republic would result in the establishment of a separate peace with the
Eastern States. The people were now fully aroused and measures were
adopted for the thorough defense of New York ; its fortifications strengthened
and strongly garrisoned.
The invasion of New York by way of Lake Champlain was entrusted to
General Prevost, who was given command of about 15,000 men for the cam-
paign. Opposed to this fine army the Americans had but about 3,500 men,
which were under immediate command of Gen. Alexander Macomb. These
were gathered at Plattsburg. During the spring and summer both powers had
also been energetic in the preparation of fleets for naval operations on Lake
Champlain.
During all of this struggle and especially these later operations, which
promised to bring the horrors of war again to the doors of the inhabitants of
Essex county, much anxiety was felt throughout Northern New York. The
military spirit had been fostered and organizations kept up to some degree, in
this vicinity since the beginning of the century ; the people of the towns were
called out with tolerable regularity to perform military duty ; and the motley
throngs that gathered under such calls, their meagre pretense at equipment
and their surprising evolutions as they marched among stumps and over logs,
must have furnished a wonderful military spectacle, and the mirth of old in-
habitants is still excited as they recall those " trainings."
When the news of the expected invasion was carried up the shores of Lake
Champlain the inhabitants of Essex county felt that they must again rally to
the defense of their homes. Neighbors went from house to house discussing
the situation ; their wives met and talked of the menaced danger with anxious
faces, and when the warning came for the men to appear on the following
morning at the principal settlements throughout the county, the rising sun
12
178 History of Essex County.
found almost every man at his post. Around the able-bodied men who had
come forward at the call of the country were old men with frosty heads who
had fought on the fields of the Revolution ; mothers and wives to see the de-
parture of husbands and sons, and children of all ages, all filled with the anx-
iety and suspense born of the expected invasien by the foe. And the Essex
men marched forth to battle.
Knowing the weakness of the American force at Plattsburg, General Pre-
vost hastily put his army in motion before the fleet was ready for operation,
and bn the 6th of September his advance reached Beekmantown ; here their
march was contested by a body of militia, who, however, soon retreated towards
Plattsburg, tearing up the bridge over the Saranac and entering the entrench-
ments. The' British advanced, took possession of some buildings near the river
and attempted to cross, but were repulsed by a cannonade of hot shot. The
British fleet now came out of the Sorel and up the lake. The British general
announced his intention to sieze and hold Northern New York as far south as
Ticonderoga, and called upon the inhabitants to cast off their allegiance and
furnish him with supplies. In the mean time Macomb labored with untiring
energy for the defense of the menaced region. From the 7th to the nth
Prevost employed the time in bringing up his batteries and supply trains and
constructing works to command those of the Americans on the south side of
the Saranac. Meanwhile the naval force reached Cumberland Head. The flag
ship was the Confluence, thirty-eight guns, and with it were one brig, two
sloops of war and twelve gunboats. The American squadron was commanded
by the gallant captain Thomas MacDonough and lay in Plattsburg bay ; it
comprised the Saratoga (flag ship) twenty-six guns, one brig, two schooners
and ten gunboats; or galleys. The British vessels sailed around Cumberland
Head on the morning of the i ith, and at the same time their land forces were
moving for combined attack. MacDonough skillfully stationed his fleet for the
action and then knelt on his vessel's deck and offered a prayer for Divine aid.
The guns of both .squadrons soon opened fire. The battle became general and
was terribly destructive on both sides, lasting two hours and twenty minutes.
" There was not a mast in either squadron," wrote MacDonough, " that could
stand to make sail on." The contest was witnessed by hundreds of spectators
on the Vermont shore. It ended with victory for the Americans. The Brit-
ish commodore, Downie, was killed and his remains buried at Plattsburg. The
Americans lost no and the British more than 200 men.
During this engagement a sharp conflict took place on the land'. The Brit-
ish attempted to force their way across the Saranac at two points, but were
repulsed after a brave struggle, by the militia under Macomb and General Ben-
jamin Mooers. Some of the British succeeded in crossing the stream near the
upper bridge, and the Americans were driving them back, when the news
reached them of the surrender of the British squadron. The Americans gave
From i8io to 1825. 179
three cheers, which the British assumed were indicative of victory and their
lines wavered. Prevost soon heard of the naval surrender and seeing the
gathering of the militia on his flanks, ceased fighting at twilight and prepared
for flight to Canada. He appears to have been a timid man, and about mid-
night became further alarmed and fled in such haste that his sick and wounded
were left behind. He was pursued by a force of Americans, but a heavy rain
came on and the chase was abandoned. The British halted at Champlain, and
on the 24th repaired to Montreal. Their losses in killed, wounded and desert-
ers was nearly two thousand. The land losses of the Americans was less
than one hundred and fifty.
This was the last invasion of the northern frontier, and its defeat was largely
instrumental in ending the war. The treaty of Ghent was concluded on the
24th of December, 18 14, and the battle of New Orleans was fought January
8th, 1815. The Americans had fought their last battle with a foreign foe.
A general conviction prevailed throughout the United States after the peace
of 1 8 14, that the country would not again become involved in war. It had
twice defeated one of the strongest nations of the earth and the feeling strength-
ened that foreign powers would hesitate long before provoking the republic to
hostility. This condition of the public mind exerted a wide-spread and bene-
ficial influence upon the progress of settlement in all new localities, which had
been seriously impeded by the last war. The people of Essex county, many
of whom did valiant service in that struggle, returned to their homes and en-
gaged with confidence and renewed energy in the arts of peace, and new set-
tlers came in rapidly. The population increased from 9,525 in 1810, to 15,-
993 in 1825, and the industries of the county were rapidly developed, espe-
cially the cutting and marketing of lumber.
The various industries of the inhabitants of this county, in common with
those of many other districts, were temporarily much prostrated by vvhat is
remembered as the "cold summer," or " the year without a summer." Much
suffering was caused in all parts of the country by this remarkable season, es-
pecially among those who had little food or money saved up for emergencies.
The sun seemed bereft of his power to give out heat to the freezing earth ; ice
formed in many localities every month in the year; snow fell in this county
in June to a depth of half an inch or more, and crops could not gt;ow and ripen
except in the most favored situations. Those who were successful in raising
crops to any considerable extent felt the extreme need of saving from them
for the next year's seed time, while many who possessed the means of reliev-
ing the less fortunate, declined to do so except at such exorbitant prices as
practically served to shut out the poor. During the winter and summer fol-
lowing the cold season, starvation came very^near the doors of many of the in-
' habitants of the county; and many had to depend almost entirely upon the
milk of a cow or two, if fortunate enough to possess one, the fish and game of
i8o History of Essex County.
the streams and forests, and wild berries. While cases of extreme suffering
were not very numerous, yet many were deprived of the wholesome food nec-
cessary to support health and strength.
An event of that character might occur at the present day without causing
even a scarcity in the thickly populated communities of the country. If crops
fail in one section they succeed in another, and even if it is remote, even if the
ocean roll between the favored and unfavored localities, modern rapid trans-
portation is adequate to adapt the supply to the demand in all sections ; while
the wealth of one region rarely rests idle in these later days while another one
wants. Hence, it is difficult for the reader of to-day to realize and appreciate
the fact that their ancestors of only two or three generations ago saw " the
wolf at their doors " in the great Empire State, because a cold season cut off
most of the crops. But the fact remains, and is vividly remembered by old
residents of the county. It was a time that " tried many men's (and women's)
souls." Incidents occurring as a result of the cold summer will be found in
many of the town histories.
Before the close of the war the project of constructing a canal from the
Hudson river to Lake Erie was agitated, and in 1817 it took tangible form
and work began in the summer at Rome. This great water way was finished
and opened in 1825. Almost contemporaneous with the progress of this project
the construction of the Champlain canal was accomplished and it was opened
for traffic in 1823. Both of these works were effectual in rapidly developing
the country through which they passed and all the industries in those regions
received a wonderful impetus. This was especially true of Essex county and
its vast lumber interest. The tide of the traffic was turned from the northward
to the opposite direction and better and more accessible markets opened. The
merchants and manufacturers of the county also found it so much easier, quicker
and consequently cheaper to bring their goods and stock from the great busi-
ness centers that the community at large was greatly benefited. ^
It was about the beginning of the second decade of the century that the
first newspaper was established — an event that should be viewed as of great
importance in all new communities. It was called the Reveille, and was started
in Elizabethtown about the year 18 10 by Luther Marsh. The county seat
had already been established in the " Pleasant Valley," which was ample in-
ducement for the pioneer publisher to locate his enterprise at that point. There
is no means of ascertaining just how long this paper survived, nor have we
been able to secure copies of it ; but it probably was not printed more than
five or six years, and possibly not so long, as in 1817 the Essex Patriot was
published at the same place, by L. and 0. Person. (See history of the county
press).
1 For more detailed accounts of the construction of canals and railroads, see chapter on Internal Im-
provements.
From i8io to 1825. 181
By an act passed by the Legislature in April, 1813, the county of Essex
was made a part of the Twelfth Legislative district of the State. Its appor-
tionment has always been one Member of the Assembly.
Legislative sanction was secured in the spring of 1817 " for opening a road
from or near the house of Almon Phillips, in the town of Essex, to the Upper
Falls, near the outlet of Lake George, in the town of Ticonderoga." This road
was considered of great importance, and in the fallowing year the supervisors
of the county were authorized and directed to raise the sum of $121.60 for the
relief of Ebenezer Douglass, " for his services in opening and improving the
road from the outlet of Lake George, near the Upper Falls, in the town of Ticon-
deroga, to the court-house in Essex." The words " court-house," in this con-
nection must have referred to the old block house in Essex, which was used
for that purpose a few years.
As an indication of the progress of the lumber trade, it is noted that a law
of 1 8 19 gave privileges to " extend booms in the Schroon river for the purpose
of securing lumber," with a penalty of $50 for cutting or destroying them.
In the year 1822 the boundaries of Essex county were finally fixed by act
of legislature. These were the line between Washington, Warren and Essex
on the south ; on the west, a continuation northward of the west line of War-
ren county to the southeast corner of Macomb's Purchase ; thence along the
south bounds thereof to the southeast corner thereof; thence along the east
bounds thereof to the northwest corner of township number eleven of the old
military tract ; thence east along the north bounds thereof to the north bounds
of township number two to the northeast corner thereof; thence south along
the line of the military tract to the middle of the channel of the north branch
of the great river Ausable ; thence down the middle of the channel thereof
to the upper forks of said river ; thence down the middle of the channel of said
river to the south line of the Great Location ; thence easterly on said line to
Lake Champlain ; thence east to the east bounds of the State. The parts of
Clinton and Franklin counties taken in by this act, lying east of the west
bounds of lots 74 and 152, in the Jay tract, were annexed to the town of Jay;
those lying west of these bounds were annexed to the town of Danville, the
name of which was changed to Wilmington by the same act
It was in the same year that legislation was secured looking to the promo-
tion of settlement in this county. ^ Although rapid settlement had been the
1 Liberal Encouragement. — The legislature have, at their present session, passed a law offering
donations of land to actual settlers. The first section of this act offers a grant of one lot of land, in
township number ten, of the old military tract, lying in the county of Franklin, to every person who
shall, within five years from the passing of the said act, have cleared and fenced fifteen acres of such
lot, erected a habitable dwelling, and settled with his family thereon. It offers three lots to every per-
son who shall, within four years, have built and put into operation one good and sufficient grist-mill
within the said township ; and one lot to every person who shall, within two years, build and put into
operation one good and sufficient saw-mill within the said township. The number of lots to be thus
granted in this township is limited to thirty. The same number to be granted in each of the townships
1 82 History of Essex County.
rule in some parts, the forbidding character of much of the territory ope;^rated
to obstruct and delay occupation. By the provisions of the law which it was
believed would lead to a change in the situation, applications were to be sent
to the land commissioners before September ist, 1822, by those persons desir-
ing lands under the act. No application would be considered unless at least ten
were received, ^ and each person must specify which lot he desired. In case
of two persons applying for the same lot the commissioners were to have the
privilege of deciding which intending occupant would best promote the objects
of the law. But thirty of these grants were to be awarded. The conditions
were that within five years after the application the settler should clear and
fence at least fifteen acres of land and erect a habitable dwelling. Similar lots
were to be granted also to every person who should, after the passage of the act,
build and put in operation " one good and efficient grist-mill," and also to persons
who should, within two years, put in operation one good saw-mill. A certifi-
cate of conditional grant was issued to appHcants, specifying his name and the
number and location of the lot ; if at the end of five years he or his heirs pro-
duced sufficient evidence that he had complied with the law, a patent for the
land would be issued.
These grants were, of course, to be made from the large tracts of land in
this county which were still held by the State. The purposes of the act were
not fulfilled to any great extent, although it is not clear why. In 1826 Ralsey
Morse, Preston Thompson, Roswell Thompson and Franklin Jenkins were each
granted a lot in the town of Lewis, of two hundred acres, out of the unappro-
priated lands. In 1828 an act was passed for the relief of James Mallory, John
Huff, jr., and Wm. MacLenathan, jr., by which Mallory was given a tract up-
on which he was erecting a grist-mill, provided he finished it by October 1st.
John Huff, jr., was to complete his improvements on lot 33, township No.
eleven, before the same date; and Wm. MacLenathan, jr., to finish his saw-
mill in sixty days from the passage of the act. It is presumable that these men
complied with the law and secured their farms.
The manufacture of charcoal had become a prominent industry by the time
under consideration, and it was deemed necessary to have official measures for
the product. The town was divided into districts and a measurer designated
number nine and eleven of the said old military tract in the counties of Franklin and Essex. This is
certainly a wise and politic measure ; the State own about two hundred and fifty thousand acres of land
in this quarter ; and unless strong inducements are held out to settlers, they will remain on hand, an
unproductive and useless property while lands can be procured elsewhere. The merit of bringing for-
ward, and of carrying this measure through the legislature, is due principally to Judge Finch, a mem-
ber from Essex county. The soil of this tract is not equal to that of the western part of the State, but
the country affords advantages well worthy the attention of the industrious and enterprising farmer,
who has not the means of paying for land. There are several large and valuable streams running
through different parts of the tract, possessing many hydraulic advantages ; and which, when the coun-
try shall once be settled, will, in a great measure, compensate for the inferiority of the soil. — Albany
Argus, 1822.
1 This provision would seem to indicate a lack of confidence in the scheme on the part of its framers.
From i8io to 1825. 183
for each district. The measures were " to be heaped," so as to give forty
quarts to the bushel.
During the year 1824 the travel and traffic across the lake had become so
much increased that during the same year several ferries were established, or
the neccessary steps taken to secure proper legislation for their establishment.
One of these was authorized by a law passed in March, for the benefit of Ithiel
McKenzie, who was privileged to maintain a ferry from his farm to Chimney
Point, from May ist, 1824, to May 1st, 1834. The conditions were that he
should erect " a suitable dock and support suitable and safe ferry boats capable
of conveying carriages, horses, cattle and people across the lake." Rates of
ferriage and hours of running were to be fixed by the Court of Common Pleas,
with ten dollars fine for taking a higher rate than that fixed by the court. Any
other person acting as ferryman within one mile of McKenzie's line, was also
subject to a fine of ten dollars. Other ferries authorized the same year and
under similar regulations, were those of Sylvester Kellogg, of Crown Point,
from his landing to Bridport, Vt. ; James Pelling and John Howard, from Port
Kent to BurHngton ; Henry Mayo and Timothy Follett from Douglass Bay,
in Chesterfield, to their dock in Burlington, provided they obtained a release
from Curtis Hurlgate of the right held by him to the same route.
On the 7th of March, 1817, David McNeil, Thomas Stowe and Isaac Finch,
or any two of them, were appointed as commissioners authorized by law to lay
out a highway four rods wide " from the dwelling of Josephus Merriam to the
dwelling of Thomas Sheldon ; thence through the town of Lewis to the inn of
Isaac Finch in the town of Jay ; thence westerly so as to intersect the road
from Westport to Hopkinton at or near the thirty-one mile stone."
In the same year Thomas Emmons was privileged to maintain a toll gate
" on the road from the dwelling house of Isaac Jones, in Willsborough, to that of
Alvah Bosworth, in Chesterfield ; the gate to be located between the dwelling
of Norman Moor and the intersection of the road leading from Elizabethtown
to Plattsburg." This road is spoken of as having a rocky bed, difficult to con-
struct and keep in repair and the district through which it passed only slightly
populated.
In addition to those towns which were formed previous to 1810 and have
already been mentioned, there were formed down to 1825 Westport, which
was taken from Elizabethtown in 181 5 ; Minerva, taken from Schroon in
March, 1817 ; the first town meeting was held at the house of Nathan West;
and Wilmington, taken from Jay, as "Danville," in 1821. The first town
meeting was held in the house of Reuben Sanford, on the first Tuesday of April.
The next town meeting for Jay was " held in the school-house near the house
ofElisha Hall."
1 84 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XVni.
FROM 1825 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
An Era of Prosperity in Essex County — Lumber, Iron and Commercial Interests — Ferries and
Roads — Railroad ^Legislation — Improvement of Water Ways — The "Patriot War" — Its Effect
upon Essex County — Negro Colonization in North Elba — John Brown's Interest in the Project —
Its Ultimate Entire Failure — Formation of Towns — Development of Iron and Lumber Interests —
Decline of the Latter Industry — Improvement in Agriculture — Comparative Statistics — The Agri-
cultural Society — Stock Breeding — Further Road Extension — Politics and the Outbreak of the Re-
bellion— Prosperity and Growth after the Return of Peace — The Great Wilderness and its Future —
Civil List.
THE beginning of the second quarter of the century found the people of
the greater portion of Essex county enjoying an era of prosperity which
continued many years. A period was passing when the lumber interest was
prosecuted on a scale of immense magnitude, which, if it did not bring indi-
vidual wealth to many of those who were largely engaged in it, kept money in
circulation and furnished employment to hundreds of men. The iron interest,
also, from this time onward, was rapidly developed and soon became a source
of revenue in the county and activity among its population ; and the commerce
of the lake, stimulated to remarkable activity by the completion of the canal
and consequent opening of markets, whitened the blue waters with innumerable
sails and stirred them into foam by the wheels of many steamboats. Saw-mills
were built at almost every available point on the swift streams (and they were
very many) ; villages grew with the increase of manufacturing and activity in
mercantile operations ; new roads were opened and old ones improved to ac-
commodate the increasing travel ; schools multiplied ; churches were estab-
lished and grew in strength ; a vigorous temperance element sprang up in
many of the towns, under the influence of which and the general encourage-
ment of people attendant upon prosperity, gross intemperance and its par-
alyzing evils became more and more unpopular and rare, and general progress
was enjoyed.
We have mentioned the inception of the iron industry in the county, which
has since grown to such extensive proportions. The details of the growth of
this industry will be found in the subsequent town histories ; it will suffice to
state here that besides the early development of the mining and manufactur-
ing in the town of North Elba by Archibald Mclntyre, Archibald Robertson,
David Henderson and others, beds were opened in Schroon in 1828 ; in Crown
Point in 1827, leading to the later great interests of the Crown Point Iron
Company ; in Moriah at a very early day, but wonderfully developed to the
present immense industry since aboiit 1 840; and in the Elizabethtown and
Westport district, and the Essex and Willsborough and other northern towns,
From 1825 to the Present Time. 185
subsequent to 1825, in all of which something was accomplished which aided
in the general prosperity of the county.
The busy times on the lake led to demands for more ferries and soon after
1825 several vvere authorized by special acts. In February, 1826, Isaac Spear
was privileged to run one from Putnam's Point in town of Crown Point to
Bridport, for ten years, with the usual conditions ; and in the same year Sam-
uel Fort was given a similar right from Crown Point to Stone's Ferry on the
eastern shore. In April, 1827, William Kirby was authorized to establish one
from Ticonderoga to the town of Shoreham, Vt. In April, 1828, Lemuel H.
Wicker secured a similar privilege " from Port Marshall, in the town of Ticon-
deroga, to Smith's ferry in Vermont." In April, 1830, Charles Hatch and
Charles B. Hatch were given a ferry right from Westport to Ferrisburgh, in
Vermont. Some of these lines were never operated and others were sold to
second parties.
A new town was formed from Moriah and Minerva on the 15th of March,
1828, and called Newcomb. The first town meeting was held at the house of
William Butler in April.
An act was passed in this year authorizing the construction of an impor-
tant highway, to extend from Cedar Point on the lake westward through the
towns of Moriah, North Hudson and Newcomb, to the west boundary of the
county. John Richards, of Caldwell, Warren county, Iddo Osgood, of Keene,
and Nathan Shearman of Moriah, were the commissioners for exploring, lay-
ing out and working this highway. Six thousand dollars were authorized to
be raised for the purpose, from the sale of State lands which would be benefit-
ed by the improvement. The remainder of the cost of the road was to be
raised by tax upon lands adjacent to the road, which would, presumably be
increased in value thereby. Among the contractors for building this road
were Messrs. Baker & Jones, who were paid in 1837, $I34-3S i Darling &
Graves, $18; Edward Talbert, $137 ; William C. West & Co., $193 ; Warf &
Russell, $136.97; J. Green, $32.76; Daniel T. Newcomb, $266.08.
The opening of the road from Port Kent to Hopkinton, St. Lawrence
county has already been mentioned. This was one of the largest and most
important highway projects in the northeastern part of the State, and its pros-
ecution cost large sums of money. A State appropriation of $25,836 was
secured in its aid in April, 1829, and in April, 1831, the comptroller ordered
the advertisement of land sales for the procurement of these moneys. As late
as this period, roads were not numerous in the interior and western towns of
the county, and those that had been opened were many of them in an almost
impassable condition. Travel over them was light and population to continue
their improv£ment not numerous. In 1831, for example, the collector of the
town of Newcomb was allowed by a special act, 27'i cents per mile necessarily
traveled by him from his residence to the office of the county treasurer, which
would indicate that his rides could scarcely be believed as pleasure trips.
1 86 History of Essex County.
The Ticonderoga and Schroon Turnpike Road Company was incorporated in
April, .1832, for the purpose of constructing a highway from the Lower Falls,
Ticonderoga, to the State road, through the town of Schroon.
With the development of the country and the growth of the iron and lum-
ber interests came a demand for further internal improvements, especially for
facilitating travel aad transportation. Hence we find in 1832 the incorpora-
tion of the "Great Ausable Railroad Company," under the provisions of an act
which was renewed in the following year. It was the avowed purpose of this
company to construct a railway from Keeseville to Port Kent. The names of
Richard Keese, of Clinton county ; Charles M. Watson, of Essex county ; Will-
iam McDonald, of Warren county ; John Mclntyre, of Washington county ;
John R. Peters and George Curtis, of New York city, and Robert D. Silliman,
of Rensselaer county, appear as commissioners.
In April, 1839, the " Adirondack Railroad Company" was incorporated,
for the purpose of constructing a road from the Adirondack iron works, in
Newcomb, " to Clear Pond, in the town of Moriah" (now in North Hudson).
Archibald Mclntyre, David Henderson and Archibald Robertson were the in-
corporators. The project was one of their baffled efforts to secure cheaper
transportation for their iron products. Neither of these lines of road have been
built.
Another extensive project for opening up the interior of the entire wilder-
ness country was inaugurated in 1846, in which year the "Northern Slackwater
and Railway Company " was incorporated. Briefly the purpose of this organi-
zation was to improve and add to the natural means of navigation existing be-
tween Port Kent, in the northeastern part of the country, and a point not far
from BoonviUe, in Oneida county, whence a railroad was to connect with the
latter place. Further details of this organization will be found in the chapter
relating to internal improvements, in later pages.
Although the inhabitants were disappointed in the realization of their hopes
for the more rapid development of their resources through the consummation
of these different projects, their inception indicates the popular feeling during
that period. The same may be said of the persistent efforts to open new roads
and improve existing ones. The old State road running north and south
through the county was a constant source of solicitude to the people and its
often recurring need of repair cost the county large sums. In 1836 a law was
passed taxing the inhabitants of a portion of the county to raise $3,000 for
improving this highway. The towns of Lewis, Elizabethtown, Schroon, Mi-
nerva, and that part of Moriah lying west of a line drawn from the northeast
corner of Schroon to the southeast corner of Elizabethtown, were given as
subject to this tax. Thomas Leland and Augustus C. Hand were made com-
missioners to superintend the expenditure of the money. Of the same gene-
ral character and purpose was the act of 1841 appointing John I. Harris and
From 1825 to the Present Time. 187
James D. Weston, of Warren county, and Allen Penfield and Alexander Trim-
ble, of Essex county, " commissioners to repair and improve the State road
from Glens Falls to Chesterfield." The appropriation of $10,000 toward im-
proving the upper waters of the Hudson river, for which Jacob Parmeter, of
Essex, Daniel Stewart, of Warren, and J. Rockwell, of Saratoga, were the
commissioners ; four years later $6,000 was appropriated by the State to clear
the west branch of the Ausable in the towns of Jay, Wilmington and North
Elba ; $2,000 to clear the rafting channel from the foot of the rapids at the
head of the Glens Falls feeder pond (Warren county) to Hadley Falls ; $4,-
000 to improve the navigation of the Schroon and its branches in Warren and
Essex counties ; the improvement of the Boquet river from its mouth to Wills-
borough Falls (1870), for which Willis H. Adsit, of Willsborough, Hamilton
N. Towner and Artemas H. Whitney, of Essex, were commissioners ; and the
declaration (1864) of the west branch of the Schroon from Mud Pond in North
Hudson, to the main branch of the river, as a public highway, with Orson
Richards, of Sandy Hill, James Morgan, of Glens Falls, and Joel F. Potter, of
Schroon, as commissioners.
The Canadian Rebellion, or what was known on this side of the boundary
as the " Patriot War," deserves mention in this connection, from the fact that
all of Northern New York and, to bring the subject nearer to the province of
this history, many of the inhabitants of Essex county became more or less in-
volved therein. The popular complaints which preceded that outbreak in
Canada were numerous, but they are chiefly referable to an irresponsible ad-
ministration. The efforts of the disaffected were looked upon by the inhabi-
tants of New York, as a rule, as patriotic and inspired warm sympathy ; those
efforts were well planned, under the leadership of William Lyon McKenzie, of
Upper Canada, and Joseph Papineau, of Lower Canada ; but the project of
revolution was doomed from the first, both from local jealousies and the en-
tirely inadequate forces for the work in hand. A number of "companies" from
this side of the boundary joined the " Patriots," and so active became the sym-
pathy with them on the northern frontier that the relations between this coun-
try and Great Britain were seriously menaced. President Van Buren finally
issued a proclamation warning all who were taking any part in the movement
from this side,' to abandon their designs or expect the penalties incurred by
their conduct.
Several engagements of considerable importance occurred, and for several
weeks the insurgents had possession of Navy Island in Niagara river. General
Winfield Scott was sent to the northern frontier to preserve order, and was
backed by a proclamation from the governor of this State similar in purpose
to that issued by the president. Yet the " Hunter Lodges," as they were
called, continued their organization and meetings and the movement received
the sanction and aid of numerous ac^venturous and reckless Americans, with
History of Essex County.
that of some who were inspired by more unselfish and honest purposes. For
nearly four years this cloud hung over the frontier. Finally President Tyler
issued a proclamation against the " Hunters " so severe in its admonitions that
the uprising on this side was substantially throttled, as far as related to acces-
sions to the insurgent forces. The whole movement ultimately failed ; many
of the rebels were arrested, some of them executed, among the number a few
Americans, and others exiled. The enterprise disappeared in 1842, and in
1849 ^ general amnesty was passed.
The people of Essex county, although not joining in this conflict to any
considerable extent, were yet near enough to its scenes to feel a deep interest
in the movement; and it formed a theme of constant and somewhat anxious
discussion for a long period.
While these warlike preparations were progressing to the northward and
exciting so much interest in some parts of Essex county, a movement totally
dissimilar in its character was being inauguarated in another part. We have
already made the mere mention that a large landholder became the possessor
previous to 1840 of almost the entire territory comprised in the town of North
Elba. This man was Peter Smith, father of Gerrit Smith, the noted Aboli-
tionist; to the latter these lands ultimately descended. In the course of time
he became impressed with the idea that he could advance the interests of the
colored race by giving them of his lands in that section, aiding them in clear-
ing and improving the same and thus build up a thriving colony. He accord-
ingly inaugurated the scheme and sent a number of negro families into the
wilderness, giving them fifty acres or more each, which they were enjoined to
clear and cultivate. While this enterprise was being prosecuted, John Brown,
who was finally to die a martyr to his convictions, was becoming more and
more deeply identified with the Abolition cause, and in that capacity became
the acquaintance, friend and, to some extent, the confidant of Mr. Smith.
About the year 1848 Brown returned from E^urope, whither he went with his
worldly all invested in wool ; this was sold at half its value and he returned to
America financially ruined. He had been conducting a wool depot in Spring-
field, Mass., and accepted on consignment the wool crops of many western
growers, which made up his European cargo. His prospects blighted, he took
his family into the wilds of North Elba and located them on a farm given him by
his friend, Gerrit Smith. Here he found congenial work in addition to his labor
on his farm, in counseling and instructing the almost helpless colored people
who were making slow progress under the well-intentioned generosity of their
patron. But the negroes were unaccustomed to the rigors of the cold northern
climate and the attending toil and hardships involved in clearing and improv-
ing the rugged lands, and they gradually became disheartened and ultimately
abandoned their homes. In 1850 there were only fifty free negroes in the
county, all told ; a few of these belonged to the North Elba colony, and the
From 1825 to the Pres'ent Time. 189
number had reached only eighty in 1870. Brown, however, persevered and
with the aid of his sons became the possessor of a comfortable home. (See
history of North Elba.) This he left for a career that was to end on the scaf-
fold ; a career that is familiar to all.
In the year 1 844 the town of St. Armand was formed from Wilmington ;
the first town meeting being held at the house of Elias Goodspeed. The suc-
ceeding town meeting in Wilmington was held at the house of Elisha Adams.
In April, 1848, the town of North Hudson was formed from Moriah. The
first town meeting was ordered held at the house of Thaddeus Russell, on the
third Tuesday of April, 1849, Jacob Parmeter, Cephas Olcutt and John Potter
to preside and appoint a clerk. The town of North Elba was formed from
Keene in December, 1849, and was the latest town in the county in point of
its erection.
A glance at the county in the middle of the century, and in immediately
succeeding years, shows it to have been in a generally healthy and prosperous
condition. The population had increased from less than 10,000 in 18 10 to a
little over 31,000, while the development of the region had progressed in most
parts in a proportionate degree. The growth of the iron interest down to that
time had not been at all commensurate with the great mineral wealth of the
county, owing chiefly to want of transportation from the more or Jess inac-
cessible localities that were richest in mineral deposits ; yet, as will be hereaf-
ter noted, it had received the attention of men of means and energy, who had
developed mining and rhanufacturing to an encouraging extent, which gave
promise — promise that has been fulfilled — that within the next decade or
two it would become the chief industry of the people in several of the towns.
The lumber interest, which reached its greatest activity from 1830 to 1840,
began sensibly to decline ; the greater portion of the most valuable timber had
been cut off, and this has since been still further greatly reduced. Saw-mills
began to go into decay and other manufactures to take their places in some
localities for the utilization of the valuable water power ; while many turned
their attention more and more to agriculture and improved methods of farm-
ing. The improved lands of the county increased in the ten years following
1850 about 22,000 acres, and there was a proportionate increase in most crops ;
over 200,000 pounds more of butter were made in i860 than in 1850. In
this connection the following statistics will be of interest, as showing the rela-
tive condition of agriculture, etc., in the years 1850 and i860: —
1850. i860.
166,951 acres improved. 188,481 acres improved.
6,747 milch cows. 8,286 milch cows.
over 2,000 oxen. 1,841 oxen.
8,808 other cattle. 12,168 other cattle.
over 50,000 sheep. 45,265 sheep.
5,700 hogs. about the same.
66,510 bushels wheat. 69,391 bushels wheat.
190 History of Essex County.
18,463 bushels rye. 19)638 bushels rye.
120,425 bushels corn. 94,194 bushels corn.
189,954 bushels oats. 256,325 bushels oats.
307,549 bushels potatoes. 411,777 bushels potatoes.
14,372 -bushels buckwheat. 22,978 bushels buckwheat.
60,554 pounds maple sugar. 121,936 pounds maple sugar.
> 428, 199 pounds butter. 634,289 pounds butter.
112,961 pounds cheese. 106,119 pounds cheese.
During the next five years there was a very encouraging increase in most
of these figures.
The County Agricultural Society was organized in 1849, with J. N. Ma-
comber as president. In 1850 the late W. C. Watson was made president and
R. S. Hale, secretary. Its first fair was held in Elizabethtown. This society
became of great importance to the agricultural interests of the county and fos-
tered a spirit of friendly emulation in the farming community which was of
annually increasing benefit. (A proper history of this society will be found in
its appropriate chapter.) Several town fairs and associations were also organ-
ized which contributed their share towards the general good. One of the re-
sults of these measures was a very great improvement in the quality of stock
raised in the county, which has become an important center for fine horses
and cattle. As long ago as 1858 there were many horses in the county of ex-
cellent breeding and showing speed qualities of a high order. Upon this
subject Mr. Watson wrote in 1869 as follows : " In no department of its hus-
bandry has this county exhibited more decided progress than in the quality
and character of its stock. I cannot ascertain that a thorough-bred animal
was owned in the county until about the year 1847. Grades of Teeswater
and Durham had been introduced probably before that period. It now con-
tains individuals of nearly every breed, that may almost maintain an equal
competition with the stock of any section of the State. A race of horses, al-
most indigenous to its soil, is disseminated through the county, which combine
properties of rare excellence. The high reputation of the Black Hawk horses
has become widely diffused, and each year adds to their consideration. In no
district have they been more extensively bred, or attained greater perfection
than in this region."
Sheep raising and breeding also reached a state of considerable importance
between 1850 and i860, and many flocks of blooded animals were owned in
the county. Vermont being one of the best wool-growing States in the Union,
it was a natural result that the industry should extend across the lake. Among
those who were prominently interested in sheep-breeding, Mr. Cook mentions
the following in the town of Ticonderoga, in his pamphlet of 1858: G. D.
Clark, W. H. and W. V. Cook, T. Delano, J. G. Hammond, O. Phelps, T.
Rogers, H. Kimpton, B. P. Delano, D. S. Gibbs, C. Miller, J. Thompson, G.
Grant, G. N. and C. L. Wicker, A. J. Cook and others.
While Essex county was gradually improving in the respects noted, it was
From 1825 to the Present Time. 191
also gaining ground in other directions. In the laying out of new highways
we find that in April, 1841, David Judd, of Essex county, Nelson J. Beach, of
Lewis county, and Nathan Ingerson, of Jefferson county, were appointed com-
missioners to lay out and construct a road from Carthage eastward to Lake
Champlain, "either in the town of Crown Point or Moriah." This was an en-
terprise of great magnitude, the road stretching across Lewis, Herkimer, Ham-
ilton and Essex counties to Crown Point. For the improvement of the road
from " the village of Moriah Four Corners to the village of Elizabethtown " and
repairing " the road from the latter place to the house kept by A. R. Delano,
in West Moriah." These two towns were taxed $750 in 1846 for roads under
Nathaniel Storrs and David Judd, as commissioners. In the following year
John Fitzgerald, John Rogers and Elias Goodspeed were appointed commis-
sioners to construct " a road from MacLenathan Falls, Franklin county, to the
west line of Clinton county,, through the south part of Black Brook, to the
Port Kent and Hopkinton turnpike ; also from Purmort's Rapids, in Essex
county, to intersect the latter named turnpike;" seven years were allowed
for making this im,provement. In 1855 Sylvanus Wells, of Jay, Harvey Holt,
of Keene, and Henry N. Haskell, of Newcomb, were made commissioners to
" construct a road from Roderick McKenzie's, in Keene, to Newcomb." In
1857 Henry J. Campbell and Timothy S. Nash, of Essex, and James C. Drake,
of Malone, were appointed commissioners to " lay out a road district from
Thomas's survey, running west through North Elba to Cold Brook, Franklin
county ;'' and in the next year Daniel Ames, of North Elba, Eli Clough and
Edward C. Conger, of St. Armand, were designated to construct a road " from
the old State road in Essex, to the Port Kent and Hopkinton turnpike in
Franklin county." In the year 1866 Timothy S. Nash, of North Elba, and
Oavid Hinds and Charles W. Jones, of Keene, were appointed to complete a
highway from the old military tract, through North Elba to Cold Brook,-
Franklin county. Most of these highways were opened in course of time, be-
sides the construction of innumerable shorter roads laid out by town author-
ities, thus giving the inhabitants ample facilities for communication with each
other and with distant points.
Other ferries, too, were meanwhile established, either as new ones or to su-
persede those whose privileges had expired. Abram Welding was given the
privilege of establishing a ferry from Westport to Panton, Vt, in 1871 ; Clark
P. Ives, from Port Marshal to Orville, in 1874; Charles E. Haskinsfrom Essex
village to Charlotte, in 1877, and John Holcomb, of Vermont, f^om Barber's
Point (Westport) to Panton in the same year.
Essex county, fortunately for itself, has never been a political hotbed.
While its inhabitants have alwa\-s felt a deep and abiding interest in public
affairs and have shown their political preferences at the polls and supported
each his party with earnest deeds, still it has ne\'er witnessed the unseemly
192 History of Essex County.
strifes, the bitter wrangling and the persistent struggle for this or that party-
success, office or emolument that have characterized some localities. The
county is Republican in politics and succeeding the active political campaign
of i860 gave a majority for Lincoln. But scarcely had the general rejoicing
of that party ceased ere there came from the South murmurs of discontent and
hostility. How they swelled and increased through the ensuing winter, how
State after State fell away from its allegiance to the Union, until the whole
South resounded with preparations for war, is well known matter of general
history. Here, as in most other northern counties, men looked on in aniaze-
ment believing to the last in a continuation of peace, and the impossibility that
the stability of the republic could- be endangered by the mad lunacy of seces-
sion. But it was not to be, and in April came the startling news of the bom-
bardment and surrender of Fort Sumter. A period of unwonted excitement
followed ; meetings were held, the enrollment of volunteers began and ere long
the county was in the midst of warlike preparations. The reader will find in
the chapter devoted to a history of the county in the Rebellion, a full account
of the events occurring here in that connection.
With the dawn of peace following the success of the Union arms in the
South, the inhabitants again turned their attention and energies to the ordinary
pursuits of life, which have not since been interrupted. The natural resources
of the county have been extensively developed and manufacturing has been
extended to an encouraging degree. The mining and manufacture of iron,
particularly, has greatly increased, with the opening of the railroad along the
lake in 1876 and the later branches to the mines giving vastly better transpor-
tation facilities ; the graphite manufacture has been developed into a profitable
industry ; and recently the manufacture of wood pulp for paper and of paper
itself has been established on an extensive scale in the town of Ticonderoga>;
.other minor manufactures have also received encouraging attention. At the
same time people have not neglected the great causes of education and relig-
ion, and schools and churches have multiplied rapidly in all directions ; acade-
mies have been established and the generfil intelligence and morality of the
different communities thereby advanced, until the county in this respect is
among the foremost of the State. All of these various features of the county's
progress and development are fully treated in the subsequent town histories.
What is to be the future of the great wilderness (of which the western part
of Essex county embraces the most mountainous part) is somewhat uncertain.
While portions of it are susceptible of cultivation and possess soil of great fer-
tility so disposed as to favor the agriculturalist, there are vast tracts that must
ever remain unfitted for such a purpose and valuable for settlement only for
the timber that nature grows upon the ground or the mineral wealth that she
has hoarded in the earth. There exist to-day, even in Essex county, wide
differences of opinion as to the desirability of further attempts to penetrate the
From 1825 to the Present Time. 193
wilderness tract by new avenues of communication with the outer world, by-
navigation, or railroads, or both. The wilderness is a great sanitarium of al-
most marvelous potency in building up debilitated humanity ; it has become
widely known as such ; people are becoming better acquainted with its magnifi-
cent extent ; it is, also, the sportsman's beatitude, abounding with fish and
game, and the incomparable beauty and grandeur of its scenery are gradually
becoming better known and appreciated among the people of the country who
possess the means to erect cottages among its most picturesque scenes. For
these reasons a tide of summer travel annually sets into the wilderness, which
increases from year to year and is a source of revenue to a numerous class, and
hotels, boarding-houses and sanitariums have sprung into existence through-
out the depths of the forests, which are every summer filled with enthusiastic
visitors from all parts of the country. An element has thus been created (and
it is one wielding no mean influence) which does not desire the material devel-
opment of this region. On the other hand, the miners, the lumbermen, the
land owners, the manufacturers, and others, turning their attention to the sources
of their own prosperity, favor the opening up of the region for other purposes
than as a summer resort. Even now there is important legislation in progress
which is likely to exert a weighty influence upon these questions, through
the appointment of a commission for the proper preservation of the forests and
game, and in other directions, but as the success or failure of all these meas-
ures is still a matter of conjecture, we must leave each reader to form his opin-
ion on the subject. An elaborate topographical survey is now in progress,
which was begun more than ten years ago under the direction of Verplanck
Colvin, in the prosecution of which the State has expended more than $100,-
000, the reports of which will serve to greatly enlarge and extend the general
knowledge of this remarkable region. It will not be out of place nor without
interest to quote as follows from the conclusion of his report of 1873, the first
one issued : —
" The vastness and wildness of the region are better appreciated when, at
this late day, we are able to find within it mountains from 3,000 to 4,000 feet
in height, nameless, unascended and unmeasured. The incorrectness of the ex-
isting map is understood, when we discover that the famous Blue Mountain, or
Mount Emmons, is not 4,000 feet in height (as represented), and that it is ap-
parently inferior to the lofty neighboring summit known as Snowy Mountain,
which rises to an altitude of 3,859 feet, where on the map is shown a blank.
" Again, while geographers have expatiated upon the great elevation (for this
region) of the Lakes Colden and Avalanche in Essex county, a little more than
2,700 feet above the sea, they have gone blindly on, unaware that far in the
south portion of the woods, the Cedar lakes — from whose shores the snows of
winter depart slowly — lie on the great and most elevated plateau of the wilder-
ness, at an elevation of 2,493 feet ; not flowing to the St. Lawrence as rep-
resented on their maps, but to the Hudson River. ^^
194 History of Essex County.
" As a matter of technical geographical interest, the discovery of the true
highest pond-source of the Hudson river is, perhaps, more interesting. Far
above the chilly waters of Lake Avalanche, at an elevation of 4,293 feet, is Sum-
mit Water, a minute, unpretending tear of the clouds — as it were — a lonely
pool, shivering in the breezes of the mountains, and sending its limpid surplus
through Feldspar brook to the Opalescent river, the well-spring of the Hud-
son. .....
" The question of water supply, also, is intimately connected with this prop-
osition. I have elsewhere expressed my opinion that within one hundred
years the cold, healthful, living waters of the wilderness — the home of the
brook trout, a fish that cannot exist in an impure stream — will be required for
the domestic water supply of the cities of the Hudson River Valley."^
The general history of the county is closed with the following statistics and
the civil list : —
The following agricultural statistics for 1880 may profitably be compared
with those already given of earlier periods : —
Number of bushels of barley raised, 9,772 ; buckwheat, 53,277 ; corn, 132,-
379; oats, 281,903; rye, 11,175; wheat, 19,372; pounds of butter made,
101,749; cheese, 915. There were in the county, 6,212 horses; 393 oxen;
milch cows, 10,638; other cattle, 14,145 ; sheep, 33,085 ; hogs, 4,323.
There were 188 manufacturing establishments of all kinds, with an invested
capital of $3, 955, 950; the wages paid out for the year were $470,136; and
the product had a value of $3,008,617.
The assessed valuation of the county was $10,932,986, on real estate, and
$833,142 on personal.
Following is the civil list of Essex county.
Representatives in Congress, residents of Essex Comity. — Benjamin Pond,
i8iiandi8i3; Asa Adgate, 1815 and 1817 ; Ezra C. Gross, 18 19 and 182 1 ;
Henry H. Ross, 1825; Isaac Finch, 1829; Reuben Whallon, 1833 ; Augustus
C. Hand, 1839; Thomas A. Tomlinson, 1841 ; Orlando Kellogg, 1847, 1862,
1864; George R. Andrews, 1849; George A. Simmons, 1853 and 1855 ; Or-
lando Kellogg, 1864-65 and 1866-67 ; Robert S. Hale to fill vacancy, caused
by death of Orlando Kellogg ; 1874-75 Robert S. Hale; 1879-80 and 1881-82,
John Hammond.
Supreme Court, Fourth District. — Augustus C. Hand, 1 847.
County Judges.— BsLtiiel Ross, 1800; DeanEdson, 1823 ; Reuben Whallon,
1831; Wolcott Tyrill, 1838; Henry H. Ross, 1847; John E. McVine, 1848;
Robert S. Hale, 1856; Byron Pond, 1864; Francis A. Smith, present Judge
and Surrogate.
1 The reader^is referred to the several elaborate reports of Mr. Colvin for further information
upon this region ; to IValliue and Stoddanfs Complete Guide Book to the Wilderness, and other similar
works.
From 1825 to the Present Time. 195
State Senators. — Reuben Sandford, 1828; Augustus C. Hand, 1844;
James S. Whallon, 1847; Eli W. Rogers, 1852; Ralph A. Loveland, 1857;
Palmer E. Havens, 1863; Moss K. Piatt, 1866-67; Matthew Hale, 1868-69;
Christopher F. Morton, 1870-71 ; Samuel Ames, 1872-73 ; FrankHn W. To-
bey, 1874 to 1877 inclusive; William W. Rockwell, 1878 to 1881 inclusive;
Shepard P. Bowen, 1882 and to the present.
Members of Assembly . — William Gilliland (Clinton and Essex) 1800 ; Will-
iam Bailey, 1802 ; Thomas Stower (Essex), 1803; Theodoross Ross, 1804-06;
Stephen Cuyler, 1807; Benjamin Pond, i8o8-io; Delavan de Lance, jr.,
1811-12; Manoah Miller, 1813; Levi Thompson, 1814; Reuben Sanford,
1815-17; John Hoffnagle, 1818, 1819, 1820 and 1827; Ebenezer Douglass,
1821 ; Isaac Finch, 1822 and 1824; Asa AHgate, 1823; WiUiam Smith,
1825-26; Ezra C. Gross, 1828-29; William Kirby, 1830; Joseph S. Reed,
1831; Isaac Vanderwarker, 1832; Almerin Smith, 1833; Barnabus Myrick,
1834; Thomas Tomlinson, 1835-36; Gideon Hammond, 1837, 1838. 1839,
and 1844; George A. Simmons, 1840-41-42; Samuel Shumway, 1843;
John C. Hammond, 1845; Caleb D. Barton, 1846; William H. Butrick,
1847-48; George W. Gofif, 1849-50; Abraham Weldon, 1851-52; Jonathan
Burnett, 1853-54; Nathaniel C. Boynton, 1855; John A. Lee, 1856; Ralph
A. Loveland, 1857; Monroe Hall, 1858-59; Martin Finch, 1850-51 ; Palmer
E. Havens, 1862, 1863 and 1867; William H. Richardson, 1864, 1865 and
1866; Samuel Root, 1868-69; Clayton H. Delano, 1870-71; Franklin W.
Tobey, 1872-73; Gardner Pope, 1874; William E. Calkins, 1875-76; Benja-
min D. Clapp, 1877-78 ; Warren French Weston, 1879 ; L. Coe Young,- 1880;
F. B. Smith, 1881 ; L. Chester Bartlett, 1882; William H. Olin, 1883-84;
Sheriffs. — Thomas Stower, 1799; Jonathan Lynde, 1802; John Hoffna-
gle, jr., 1806; William Kirby, 1808, 1821 and 1822; Delavan de Lance, 18 12;
George Throop, 1813; Luther Adgate, 18 19; Boughton Lobdell, 181 5; Samuel
Murdock, 1825, 1831 ; Leander J. Lockwood, 1828; Solomon Everest, 1831;
John Harris, 1837; Alanson Wilder, 1840; Chilion A. Tremble, 1843; Nor-
man Page, 1846; Aaron B. March, 1849; Charles W. Ensign, 1852; Jacob
Parmerter, 1855 ; Elisha A. Adams, 1858; William W. Tabor, 1861 ; Ransom
L. Locke, 1864; Abijah Perry, 1867; Chauncey D. BuUis, 1870; Samuel S.
Olcott, 1873; Judson C.Ware, 1876; Edward H. Talbot, 1882; Rollin L.
Jenkins, present sheriff.
County Clerks. — Stephen Cuyler, 1799; Simeon Frisbee, 1808; William
Kirby, 1813; Thomas Stower, 181 5; Ashley Pond, 1821 ; Leonard Stow,
1827 ; Edward S. Cuyler, 1833 ; Edmund F. Williams, 1839 ; George S. Nich-
olson, 1848; Elisha A. Adams, 185 i ; Robert W. Livingstone, 1857; William
E. Calkins, i860; Joseph A. Titus, 1872; John S. Roberts, 1878, and pres-
ent clerk.
County Treasurers. — Safford E. Hale, 1848; John L. Merriam, 1857-
196 History of Essex County.
Charles N. Williams, i860; Oliver Abel, jr., 1872; Eugene Wyman, 1884;
Daniel F. Payne, present treasurer.
Surrogates. — William Gilliland, 1800; James McCrea, 1801 ; Thomas
Tread well, 1807; Ezra C. Gross, 181 5; Ashley Pond, 18 19; John Calkins,
1821 ; Augustus C. Hand, 183 1 ; Orlando Kellogg, 1840; Robert W. Living-
stone, 1844. In 1846 the duties of this office were merged in the office of
county judge.
Special Judge and Surrogate. — Martin F. Nicholson, 1857. This office
was abolished in i860.
District Attorneys. — Ralph Hascall, 1818 ; Dean Edson, 1821 ; David B.
McNeil, 1828; Gardner Stone, 1833; Moses T. Clough, 1844; Edward S.
Shumway (resigned), 1850; James P. Butler, 1852; Hiram M. Chace, 1855;
Byron Pond, 1858; Martin Finch, 1864; Arod K. Dudley, 1867; Rowland
C. Kellogg, 1876 and present district attorney.
Delegates to Constitutional Conventions. — Thomas Treadwell (Clinton and
Essex), 1801 ; Reuben Sanford (Essex), 1821 ; George A. Simmons, 1846;
Matthew Hale, 1867.
Regent of University. — Robert S. Hale, 1859.
Present Officers of the County : —
County judge and surrogate — Francis A. Smith, of Elizabethtown.
Sheriff — Rollin L. Jenkins, of Moriah.
County clerk — John S. Roberts, of Elizabethtown.
Deputy county clerk — Joseph E. Houston, of Elizabethtown.
District attorney — Rowland C. Kellogg, of Elizabethtown.
County treasurer — Daniel F. Payne, of Wadham's Mills.
Under sheriff and jailer — Geo. W. Jenkins, of Elizabethtown.
Superintendent of poor — Charles N. Holt, of Keene.
Clerk of board of supervisors — Geo. S. Nicholson, of Elizabethtown.
Coroners — Wm. C. Rooney, Schroon Lake ; M. W. Wilson, of Ticonder-
oga ; Roger Hickok, Wilmington ; Clark M. Pease, Crown Point.
Justices of sessions — Shepard P. Olcott, of North Hudson ; Lemuel B.
Treadway, of Pprt Henry.
School commissioners — Fayette S. Miller, of Lewis, 1st district; Chester
B. McLaughlin, of Moriah, 2d district.
Loan commissioners — Charles Stevens, of Westport ; George G. Tobey,
of Jay.
Under the second constitution, Essex county was included in the Fourth
senatorial district. Under the constitution of 1846 it was placed in the Four-
teenth district with Clinton and Warren counties. In 1857 it formed, with the
same counties, the Sixteenth district, and so remained until 1879 when the same
three counties were made to constitute the Nineteenth district. By the act of
1797 Essex county, with Clinton and Washington counties, was made the
Essex County in the Rebellion. 197
Seventh congressional district. In 1802 the Eleventh district was made to
embrace Essex, Clinton and Saratoga counties. In 1808 Essex, Clinton, Frank-
lin and Saratoga were constituted the Eighth district. In 18 12 Essex, Clin-
ton, Franklin and Warren and in 18 13 Washington counties comprised the
Twelfth district with two members. The same counties without Washington,
constituted the Nineteenth- district ; by act of 1822 Clinton, Essex and Warren
were made the Thirteenth district in 1832. In 1842 Essex and Washington
were made the Fourteenth district. In 1851 Essex, Clinton and Franklin
constituted the Sixteenth district. In 1862 Essex, Clinton and Warren were ■
made the Sixteenth district. In 1873 the same counties were constituted the
Eighteenth district. The county is the Fourth judicial district.
CHAPTER XIX.
ESSEX COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.i
Call to Arms — Prompt Response in Essex County — First Official Action to Provide for Payment
of Volunteers— Details of Official Action upon the Bounty Question — Men Enlisted from each town —
Deaths in each Town — The Twenty-second Regiment — The Thirty-fourth Regiment — The Thirty-
eighth Regiment — The Forty- fourth Regiment — The Seventy-seventh Regiment — The Ninety-sixth
Regiment — Fifth New York Cavalry — The One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment —The One Hun-
dred and Fifty-third Regiment — The Second New York Cavalry.
IT is needless to dwell upon the promptness, enthusiasm and the patriotism
with which the inhabitants of Essex county, in common with those of other
sections throughout the Northern States, sprang forward at the call of the
government for soldiers to put down the Rebellion organized by the hosts
of misguided people of the Southern States. The subject, although never
to be worn threadbare, has nevertheless been the frequent theme of the
most gifted pens in song and story, and the banner of peace floated over the
entire republic at the end of the sanguinary and heroic struggle. The record
achieved by the brave men who gave up the comforts and safety of their homes
for the dangers and hardships, the wounds and death of the battle-field, is one
that may ever be looked upon with pride by every resident of the county ;
while the liberality displayed by those who saw it as their duty to remain at
home, softened the rigors of war and gave the volunteers the most practical as-
1 This chapter is largely condensed from the materials collected and published in Mr. Watson's
History of Essex County (1869), from which we are permitted to make extracts, through the courtesy
of Judge W. C. Watson, of Plattsburgh, and others interested in Mr. Watson's copyrights. That work
was published at a time when data of this character was much more accessible than now, which ren-
ders the work still more valuable, and its use in these pages still more desirable. The records of sev-
eral of the organizations, particularly of the Ii8th Regiment, have been revised and numerous necessary
corrections made by Robert W. Livingston, of Elizabethtown, and others, and are supplemented by
the proceedings of the board of supervisors relative to bounties, etc.
198 History of Essex County.
surances that their sacrifices were appreciated at their full value. As the tide of
war rolled on and call succeeded call to fill the depleted ranks of the army, the
county officials did riot hesitate in their duty of providing for the payment of
such generous bounties as would serve the purpose, which action was promptly
and freely sustained by the town authorities.
As early as November 14, 1862, at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors,
action was taken tawards raising money to pay volunteers from the several
towns of the county. Hon. Palmer E, Havens addressed the board on this
.subject by invitation, and was followed by Hon. O. Kellogg, who gave his
views relative to the propriety of raising a volunteer fund in the towns by tax.
Hon. A. C. Hand also addressed the board. The following proceedings then
took place : —
" Mr. Lee presented the following resolution and moved its adoption : —
" Resolved, That our Member of Assembly be requested to ask the next
Legislature to provide means by law for raising the money paid to volunteers
pursuant to the votes of any town in this county by a tax on such town and
that said law provide for immediate action in the premises. Adopted.
" Mr. Lee then moved the following resolution : —
" Resolved, That the following are the respective sums heretofore raised in
the respective towns hereinafter named for the payment of bounties to volun-
teers which ought to be assessed and raised by tax in said towns respectively,
for the purpose of repaying said sums to wit : —
Chesterfield $ 435 38
Crown Point 2,850 00
Essex ii47o 00
Jay 30000
eene 50 00
Lewis, with interest 350 00
Minerva 357 63
Moriah 1,225 °°
Newcomb 250 00
Ticonderoga, with interest 1,623 5°
Westport 550 00
" Unanimously adopted."
At a meeting held December ii, 1862, Mr. Prescott moved the following
resolutions : —
" Resolved, That our Member of Assembly be instructed to inquire into the
nature of the alleged abuses practiced on our volunteers as set forth in the
protest and petition of Mr. Stone and others. Adopted."
Following is a copy of the protest alluded to : —
" The undersigned citizens of Essex county. New York, beg leave to repre-
sent that they are reliably informed of serious and unnecessary hardships being
inflicted on soldier citizens of said county, in the matter of pay and clothing, '
etc, to wit : —
" That in addition to great and grievous and unnecessary delays in the pay-
Essex County in the Rebellion. 199
ment of their wages, we are reliably informed that there is quite a common
practice growing or grown up on the part of paymasters of denying that they
have government funds in hand to pay with, and then referring the individual
soldiers to seeming outside parties, who, for a consideration, to wit : a discount
of greater or less rate, five to ten per cent, or other rates ' will advance the
amounts required,' and we are informed and believe that in all such cases where
payments are past due, said practice is the result of combinations and collusions
on the part of paymasters to defraud the soldiers for the benefit of the conspir-
ing parties, and we most strenuously and seriously protest against any of our
citizens being compelled to submit to such extortions, and we claim for them
full and prompt pay of the sums due them without discount or defalcation, ac-
cording to regulations provided for the purpose. Also in the matter of clothing
we are rehably informed that many of the soldiers from the State of New York *
were furnished with clothing by said State for and on account of the government
of the United States, that on the arrival of said soldiers at Washington they
have been thus compelled to cast off said clothing and take such other as was pro-
vided at Washington in full supply, and that subsequently said soldiers have
been compelled to pay for such State clothing (as they had thus received and
been obliged to cast off) out of their wages due, the sums of cost having been
deducted from the sums of wages due to said soldiers, thereby throwing upon
individuals the burden of any dispute or misunderstanding, if such exist, be-
tween the State of New York and the United States government. And we
most strenuously protest against such foul injustice to said individuals, and
solicit the appointment by the Legislature of the State of New York of a com-
petent commission to proceed to Washington at the expense of the State to in-
vestigate the truth of such charges, both as regards pay and clothing, and re-
port to the appointing party the result of such examination for further action
in the premises, or take such other steps as may seem necessary that our citi-
zen soldiers may be protected in their rights, and obtain their just dues.
" While entering the above protest, we, the undersigned, at same time fully
and equally protest our firm allegiance and loyalty to the United States gov-
ernment, fully believing that the best interests of said government will be found
in doing justice to the last cent to our soldiers, respecting the rights of our cit-
izens and of our State government, believing also that our best loyalty to our
State governments consists in full and firm allegiance to our general govern-
ment ; and thus the undersigned will ever protest and pray.
" Essex county, New York, Dec. 8, 1862.
" Wm. H. Stone, W. T. Foot,
"MiLOTE Baker, Orrin Phelps,
"J. G. Witherbee, E. D. Babcock, .
" A. B. Waldo, John A. Lee,
" Robt. S. Hale, E. W. Rogers,
" O. Kellogg, L. D. Brown,
"O. Kellogg, jr., Wm. E. Calkins,
" Geo. S. Nicholson, Samuel Root."
200 History of Essex County.
At a meeting of the board held December ii, 1863, the following pro-
ceedings in substance were had : —
" Mr. Burleigh, chairman of the committee to draft resolutions for the action
of this board in relation to bounties for volunteers, reported as follows : —
" Resolved, That the treasurer and clerk of the county of Essex be, and
they hereby are authorized and instructed to issue in their names of office
bonds, pledging the credit of the county for the payment thereof to the amounts
and subject to the regulations hereinafter specified.
" First, Said bonds shall not exceed in amount the sum of one hundred
seventy-two thousand five hundred dollars. They shall be signed by the said
treasurer and county clerk and sealed by said clerk with his seal of office, and
a record of the dates, amounts and numbers of the same shall be kept by said
treasurer, and a likq record by said clerk. They shall bear interest at 7 per
cent, per annum, and shall be payable one-fifth in one year from the 1st day
of March next, one- fifth in two years and one-fifth in three years therefrom,
one-fifth in four and one-fifth in five, with interest annually, payable on said
days of payment above named, and shall be in the following form : The County
of Essex, in the State of New York, promises to pay to the bearer the sum of
dollars, with interest at 7 per cent, per annum, one-fifth of the princi-
pal with all interest then accrued, on the first day of March in each of the years
1865, '66, '6"]; '68 and '69, at the office of the treasurer of said county. This
bond is issued for the benefit of the town of in aid of raising volun-
teers, and is first transferable only by the endorsement of a majority of the
members of the Board of Town Auditors of said town, afterwards transferable
by delivery.
" Dated
" [l. s.] County Treasurer.
County Clerk.
" Fourth, Such bonds after delivery to such supervisor may be sold by
such board of town auditors at not less than the face thereof and the moneys
raised from such sale shall be applied to the payment of bounties to volunteers
under said call and on account of the quota of said town, not exceeding five
hundred dollars to each volunteer or to the reimbursement of persons who may
have advanced moneys for such payment to said volunteers not exceeding the
same amount to each volunteer and to no other purpose whatever. The first
transfer, etc., etc. ...........
" On motion of Mr. Butterfield, it was ordered that the report be accepted.
Mr. Roberts moved as an amendment to the report that the sum to be paid to
volunteers be fixed at $300. A vote being had the amendment was lost and
the report adopted.
" G. S. Nicholson,
"Clerk of the Board of Supervisors."
Essex County in the Rebellion.
20I
On the 1 6th of November, 1864, at the annual meeting of the supervisors
of Essex county, the treasurer of said county reported that bonds had been
issued to the several towns, as follows : —
To the town of Crown Point $21,000 00
" " Elizabethtown 7,50000
" " Essex 7,50622
" " Jay 5,60000
" " Keene 2,65300
" " Lewis 9,10000
" " Minerva.. 4,00000
" " Moriah 29,00000
" " Newcomb 1,50000
" " North Elba 1,50000
" " North Hudson 3,02500
" " Schroon 2,00000
" " St. Armand 1,50000
" " Ticonderoga 18,50000
" " Westport 6,952 50
" " Willsborough 7,00000
Total $128,336 72
In pursuance to a resolution of said Board, March 15, 1864, bonds were
issued as follows : —
To the town of Crown Point $5,ooo 00
" " Elizabethtown 1,07500
" " Essex 4,60000
" " Jay 2,10000
" " Lewis 30000
" " Schroon 2,40000
" " Ticonderoga 4,80000
" " Willsborough 12000
" " Wilmington no 90
Total $22,565 90
In pursuance to resolution of said board, August sth, 1864, bonds were
issued as follows : —
To the town of Chesterfield $25,500 00
" " Crown Point 15,60000
" " Elizabethtown 12,00000
" " Essex 15,50000
" " Jay 10,00000
" " Keene 2,50000
" " Moriah 39,00000
" ", Newcomb .- 1,50000
" " North Elba 2,50000
" " North Hudson 2,00000
" " Schroon 15,00000
" " St. Armand 3,00000
" " Ticonderoga 22,00000
" " Westport 14,50000
" " Willsborough 11,50000
" " Wilmington 5,00000
" " Lewis 19,50000
Total , $222,600 00
202 History of Essex County.
By the report of C. N. Williams, county treasurer in 1865, it is shown that
bonds had been issued pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Supervisors,
passed February loth, 1865, to the different towns of the county as follows : —
To Chesterfield $ 8,000 00
" Crown Point 15,000 00
" Elizabethtown 7.827 00
" Essex 6.708 81
"Jay 6,600 00
" Keene 3.738 00
" Lewis 3.5°° °°
" Minerva 6,000 00
" Moriah 32.5°° °°
" Kewcomb i,S°o 00
"North Elba 1,00000
"North Hudson 1,40000
" Schroon 6,500 00
"St. Armand 1,20000
" Ticonderoga 14,000 00
" Westport 6,400 00
" Wilmington 1,600 00
Total $123,973.81
Total amount due from all the towns at above date $61,233 06
An approximation only can be reached of the number of troops contrib-
uted by Essex county to the Union army. The official military records and
the census returns which are known to be imperfect, are far below the reality,
exhibits a total of 1,306. These records do not embrace the large numbers
who were mingled in the various other organizations of the State, and the
census returns must most inadequately exhibit the true amount. Many other
residents of Essex county, estimated at the time at several hundred in the ag-
gregate, were enlisted by the active zeal of agents from several of the New
England States. The excess of $7 per month pay, offered by Vermont, allured
large numbers of the youth of the county, who enlisted into the line of that
State. The archives of New York show that from the recruits credited on the
quota of Essex county, 366 deaths occurred on the field of battle from wounds,
accidents, and diseases incident to the exposure of the service. The actual
casualties among the citizens of Essex were far heavier, and can never with
any degree of accuracy be computed.
An attempt to ascertain the expenses and disbursements in their infinitely
varied forms is still more difficult and unsatisfactory". The amounts actually
authorized by the Board of Supervisors to be raised by the county and several
towns, at different sessions and without the accumulation of interest reached a
total of $553,871,47. This great sum does not include the vast amounts real-
ized by the liberal contributions derived from personal and local efforts nor the
money expended in recruiting ^ and equipping the early volunteers. Nor the
supplies of provisions, clothing, medicines and other subscriptions essential to
the health and comfort of the troops. Heavy sums were aggregated by the
Essex County in the Rebellion. 203
individual payment of the $300, by an early act authorized to avoid the draft,
and by the purchase of substitutes. Private liberality and patriotic zeal ex-
pended in silence and secrecy vast amounts which were unknown and incom-
putable. The magnitude of all these contributions and expenditures can
never be known, nor will human pen ever record the extent and value of these
efforts.
The following tabular statements exhibit interesting statistics illustrative of
the devotedness and responsibilities incurred by the towns of Essex county : —
Number Enlisted by Several Towns.
Chesterfield 92
Crown Point 192
Elizabethtown 105
Essex 60
Jay 93
Keene 47
Lewis 115
Minerva 50
Moriah 157
Newcomb 8
North Elba 27
North Hudson 24
St. Armands 19
Schroon 94
Ticonderoga .'. 128
Westport 58
Willsboro 43
Wilmington 64
Total 1,306
Died, etc.
North Elba 6
North Hudson
St. Armands 7
Schroon 28
Ticonderoga 45
Westport 24
Willsboro 17
Wilmington 16
Chesterfield 28
Crown Point 44
Elizabethtown 19
Essex 16
Jay 25
Keene 9
Lewis 35
Minerva 12
Moriah 44
Newcomb i Total 366
Besides the official action here detailed, generous.sums of money were raised
by volunteer subscription ; the ladies of the county did wonderful work to this
end in the various towns and villages and their patriotic labors to provide com-
forts for their fathers, husbands and sons in the army are worthy of enduring
remembrance.
Following the proclamation of the president making a call for the first 75,-
000 volunteers, the enlistment of five companies in Essex county was almost
simultaneously begun. As the enlistments in these organizations progressed,
they were accelerated to some extent by recruits from outside the county lines,
while many Essex county volunteers joined other organizations in various
parts of the State. A company was recruited in Keeseville composed of about
equal proportions of residents of Essex and Clinton counties of this organiza-
tion. Gordon T. Thomas was elected captain ; Oliver D. Peabody, first lieu-
tenant, and Carlisle D. Beaumont, second lieutenant.
Another company was raised in Schroon from the southern towns of Essex
and parts of Warren county. The officers elected were Lyman Ormsby, cap-
tain ; J. R. Seaman, first lieutenant, and Daniel Burgey, second lieutenant.
204 History of Essex County.
A third company was recruited in Moriah, and other eastern towns, and
elected Miles" P. S. Cadwell, captain; Edward F. Edgerlyand Clark W. Hunt-
ley, first and second lieutenants. These companies were distinguished as com-
panies C, I, and K, of the Twenty-second regiment New York Volunteers, in
which they were incorporated on its organization upon June 6th, 1861. On
the promotion of Captain Thomas, Lieutenants Peabody and Beaumont were
respectively advanced a grade, and Charles B. Pierson appointed second lieu-
tenant of Company C.
A company raised in Crown Point and adjacent towns, embracing 108 men,
of which Leland Doolittle was elected captain, Hiram Buck, jr., first, and John
B. Wright, second lieutenant, was mustered into service as Company H, of the
Thirty-fourth Regiment of New York Volunteers. Before the departure of this
company for Albany it was supplied with every equipment except arms, at an
expense of $2,000, by the characteristic patriotism and munificence of the
people of Crown Point.
The fifth company, recruited in Elizabethtown and the central towns of the
county, was incorporated as Company K, into the Thirty-eighth Regiment, and
was the last company accepted from New York by the government under the
first proclamation. Samuel C. Dwyer was elected captain of this company,
William H. Smith, first, and Augustus C. H. Livingstone, second lieutenant.
Following is Mr. Watson's account of the career of the Twenty-second
Regiment : —
" The Twenty- Second New York Volunteers. — On the i6th of May, 1861,
this regiment was accepted by the government, and Walter Phelps, jr., of Glens
Falls,[,commissioned colonel, Gorton T. Thomas, of Keeseville, lieutenant- colo-
nel, and John McKee, jr., of Cambridge, major. It left Albany for Washing-
ton on the 28th of June, and while passing through Baltimore on the night of
the 30th, was assailed at the depot by an armed mob. A private ^ was killed,
but the regiment was promptly formed, and returned the fire, wounding seve-
ral of the assailants. Order was soon restored by the city police, and the troops
proceeded on their march without further molestation. The Twenty-second was
employed until the April following in garrison duty and occasional reconnais-
sances in the vicinity of Washington. Through the several months following it
was occupied in services that most severely try the spirit, the constancy and en-
durance of the soldier. It was constantly engaged in marches and changes of
position amid rain and darkness, or rushed from station to station, upon open
and comfortless cars, and upon tedious and fruitless expeditions.
" At length the ardent aspirations of the regiment for active service seemed
about to be gratified, when as a part of McDowell's corps, it was ordered to
advance in support of the Army of the Potomac, but, arrested on the
threshold of this movement, McDowell was directed towards the Shenandoah.
1 Edward Burge, Company I, of Pottersville, Warren county.
Essex County in the Rebellion. 205
After the battle of Cedar Mountain the regiment participated in the continu-
ous engagement, which extended through several successive days in the vicinity
of that field. On the 27th of August it marched with its division from War-
renton in the direction of Gainesville with the design of intercepting the re-
treat of Jackson, who had attempted to penetrate to the rear of the Union
lines, and of breaking up his command. Ignorant of the position of the ene-
my, the division advanced slowly and with extreme caution. On the second
day of its march Jackson was discovered near Gainesville in great force. The
Federal troops consisted of King's division, and were commanded by McDow-
ell in person.
" The line of battle was promptly formed and an action immediately, and
about an hour before sunset, commenced. McDowell's position was upon the
Gainesville pike, while the rebels occupied a wood about half a mile in front,
with open fields between the two armies. The engagement was opened by a
furious cannonade on both sides. The rebels had secured an accurate range
of the road, and swept it by a continual storm of shells, and with fearful accu-
racy. A battery, supported by the Twenty-second Regiment, was silenced and
almost entirely annihilated. A ditch running parallel to the pike afforded a pro-
tection to the regiment, while the shells and shot, passing just above them, com-
pletely furrowed and tore up the road. For an hour this firing was maintained
with unabated vigor, when the enemy, emerging from the woods in a magnifi -
cent line a mile in length, charged, uttering the wildest yells as they rushed
upon the Union position. All the Federal batteries, directed by McDowell
personally, which could be brought to bear opened upon them with grape and
cannister. At every discharge broad gaps were visible in their ranks. The
Wisconsin brigade attached to this division poured upon them a terrible volley,
and along both lines the fire of musketry was incessant and severe. The reb-
els paused in their advance, but stubbornly sustained their position until dark,
and then slowly and defiantly withdrew, 'leaving the Union troops in possession
of the field. They remained on the ground until midnight, and then, in order
to receive rations, fell back to Manassas Junction. The Wisconsin brigade lost
nearly half its strength in killed and wounded ; but the Twenty-second, Regi-
mejit owing to its protected position, escaped with only slight casualties.
"While the Twenty-second with its brigade was reposing in this brief bi-
vouac, Fitz John Porter's corps, early on the 29th, marched past them to the
front, and was soon after followed by the brigade. The fighting raged through
the day, Jackson gradually falling back towards Thoroughfare Gap. The
Twenty-second was not engaged until towards evening ; King's division was
fhen ordered to charge the retreating enemy, and to complete their fancied
defeat. With loud and exultant cheers they were pursued the distance of
half a mile, in apparent great disorder, when the Union troops were suddenly
arrested by a withering discharge of small arms. The division, instead of be-
2o6 History of Essex County.
ing deployed to meet this attack, was massed in solid order and attempted to
advance at double quick. In this form and unable to fire except in the front,
it received destructive discharges, in front and from a wood upon the left flank.
The troops by their formation were rendered almost powerless for offensive
action. Darkness was approaching; the men began to give way, and the
promise of victory was soon converted into an utter rout. This engagement
was known as the battle of Groveton or Kittle Run.
" After this disaster the division was attached to Porter's corps. Cannonad-
ing and skirmishing continued along the whole front through the 30th until
about two P. M., when the entire line was ordered to advance in a simultaneous
charge. The brigade to which the Twenty- second belonged, was in the van
of this division. The charging column of the division was two regiments deep ;
the Fourteenth New York, on the right, and the Thirtieth New York on the
left, and followed by the Twenty-second and Twenty-fourth New York, at a
distance of about twenty yards, Berdan's sharp-shooters being deployed as
skirmishers. This force constituted the brigade. The Union troops charged
through a wood into an open field. The rebels were entrenched, about two
hundred yards in advance, behind a railroad embankment, and immediately
opened a heavy fire with grape, cannister, solid shot and shell, supported by a
terrible discharge of musketry. The roar of cannon was deafening, and the
air was filled with missiles, but the gallant brigade rushed forward. The
Twenty-second became intermingled with the Thirtieth when within fifty yards
of the enemy's line, and was compelled to halt. At that moment the rebels
were abandoning their works, and scattering in every direction ; many, throw-
ing down their arms, came into the Federal ranks. But the pause was fatal to
the promised success. The troops of the brigade hesitated to advance, and
commenced a rapid and disordered firing. The confidence of the rebels was
restored by this hesitancy, and they immediately reoccupied their strong posi-
tion. The fire of the enemy, which had been partially suspended, was now
resumed with increased intensity. The Union troops were rapidly falling, and
it was next to impossible to remove the wounded from the field, as both flanks
were swept by the enemy's guns. At this juncture a brigade was ordered to
the support of the troops in their perilous and terrible position ; but it had
scarcely emerged from the wood before it broke and fell back. The firing on
both sides continued rapid and unremitting.
"The remnant of the brigade able to fight continued to fire until their ammu-
nition was all expended, and then slowly withdrew, closely pursued by the
enemy. The whole army soon after fell back upon Centreville. On the retreat
there was neither panic nor rout, but the troops sternly retired, fighting as
they retreated.
"The casualties of the Twenty-second in the battle of these bloody days
were severe almost beyond a parallel. On the 29th its effective strength was
Essex County in the Rebellion. 207
626 men. Its loss in killed, wounded and missing, according to the record
of the military bureau, was 504. The regiment entered the field with twenty-
five officers, and on the night on which it fell back to Centreville it retained
only one captain and four lieutenants. Colonel Frisbie, commanding the brig-
ade on the 30th, was killed while urging the troops to advance.
" Lieutenant Colonel Gorton T. Thomas was mortally wounded, and soon
after died in the hospital.^ Among the other losses of the regiment were, in
Company C, Lieutenants C. D. Beaumont, killed, and Charles B. Pierson, mor-
tally wounded, and Captain O. D. Peabody, wounded ; in Company I, Captain
Lyman Ormsby and Lieutenant Daniel Burgey, wounded; in Company K,
Captain M. P. S. Cadwell, killed. Lieutenants E. F. Edgerly and C. W. Hunt-
ley, wounded, the former twice. These companies averaged in these actions
a loss of nearly thirty men each.
" On the 6th of November, the Twenty-second moved from its encampment
at Upton's hill to act in the Antietam campaign. Its feeble relics of 126 com-
batants fought at South Mountain, were closely engaged and suffered heavily.
The entire brigade in this action and at Antietam was under the command of
Colonel Phelps. At Antietam the regiment was constantly exposed to a rak-
ing artillery fire, and out of sixty-seven, its whole remaining strength, it lost
twenty-seven men. It was engaged, with its ranks restored to 210 effective
strength, at Fredericksburg and afterwards at Chancellorsville, and although
conspicuous in its conduct in those actions its casualties were inconsiderable.
After the disaster at Chancellorsville the brigade acted as rear guard to the
army and gallantly covered its retreat. On the succeeding 19th of June, on
the expiration of its term of enlistment, the Twenty- second was mustered out
of service at Albany.
" Subsequent to the desolation it sustained in the battles of the 29th and 30th
of August the regimental organization was restored by the appointment of
Major McKie, lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas M. Strong, major. The changes
which occurred in the companies connected with Essex county, from their ex-
cessive losses, were numerous. In Company C, Beaumont and Pierson were
succeeded by Gorton T. Thomas, jr., and James Valleau ; in Company C, Lieu-
tenant Burgey was promoted on the resignation of Seaman, and B. F. Wick-
ham appointed second lieutenant ; in Company K, Lieutenant B. F. Edgerly
was appointed to the captaincy ; Sergeant John J. Baker was appointed first
lieutenant in place of Huntley, discharged for disability on account of wounds,
and Charles Bellamy, sergeant, promoted to second lieutenant."
I Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was shot in the body, but maintained his seat, until, incapable of
controlling his horse, he was borne into the ranks of the sharpshooters, and there by a singular coinci-
dence, when falling from the saddle, was received into the arms of two neighboring boys attached to
that regiment. He was carried by them to a house in the vicinity, and from thence was removed to
the hospital at Washington, where he died of internal hemorrhage. No braver spirit or truer patriot
moved on the battle-fields of the Rebellion. The name of Colonel Thomas was the first attached to
the enlisting roll in the valley of the Ausable.
2o8 History of Essex County.
Officers attached to the Twenty-second regiment when mustered out of
service, June 19th, 1863 : —
Walter Phelps, jr., colonel, brevet brigadier general U. S. V. ; Thomas J.
Strong, lieutenant-colonel ; Lyman Ormsby, major ; Malachi Wiedman, adju-
tant ; James W. Schenck, quartermaster ; Elias L. Bissell, surgeon ; Austin
W. Holden, assistant-surgeon, brevet-major, N. Y. V. ; Henry J. Bates, chap-
lain ; Captains, Addison L. Easterbrooks, Matther L. Teller, James W. Mc-
Coy, Oliver D. Peabody (brevet-major and lieutenant-colonel), Lucius E. Wil-
son, Daniel Burgey, Fred E. Ranger, Duncan Cameron, Benjamin F. Wick-
ham, Edward F. Edgerly ; First Lieutenants, Amos T. Calkins, A. Hallock
Holbrook, William H. Hoystradt, Gorton T. Thomas, Henry Cook, Warren
Allen, James H. Merrill, John J. Baker, Asa W. Berry ; Second Lieutenants,
Patrick McCall, James Valleau, Charles H. Aiken, George C. Kingsley, Sal-
mon D. Sherman, George Wetmore, Lester A. Bartlett, Charles F. Bellamy.
The Thirty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers. — This regiment, to
which the company raised in Crown Point, commanded by Captain Doolittle,
was attached as Company H, was organized on the 24th of May, 1 86 1 , by the
elections of William La Due, colonel ; James A. Suitor, lieutenant-colonel, and
Byron Laffin, major. The original officers of Company H left the service at
an early period. Captain DooHttle resigned October, 1861. Lieutenant Buck
was not mustered in, and Lieutenant Wright, having been promoted to fill
these vacancies, first lieutenant May nth, and captain November nth, re-
signed on the 28th of November, 1861. James McCormick, of Crown Point,
was appointed second lieutenant, September 29th, 1862, and promoted first
lieutenant May 8th, 1863. Simeon P. Mclntyre was appointed second lieu-
tenant January, 1863, and George B. Coates December, 1862. Each of these
officers was mustered out with the regiment June 30th, 1863. The Thirty-
fourth arrived at Washington the Sthofjuly, 1861. It was soon after assigned to
duty on the Upper Potomac. It was attached to the brigade then commanded
by General Stone. The regiment was ordered to Ball's Bluff, but only arrived
in time to aid in the removal of the wounded. Until the following spring it
was occupied in continual harassing marches, and participated in all the hard
services which were at that period encountered by most of the army. The
regiment at this time became attached to the first brigade commanded by
General Gorman and the second division of the second corps, and remained in
this organization during its subsequent services.
The Thirty-fourth landed at Hampton at the initiation of the peninsula
campaign on the 1st of April, 1862. It was actively engaged in the siege of
Yorktown, and was the first regiment in the enemy's works at Winne's Mills.
At Fair Oaks it was eminently distinguished, and was warmly engaged for
nearly three hours, with a loss of ninety- four killed and wounded. The Thirty-
fourth participated in most of the operations of this campaign, and at Glendale
Essex County in the Rebellion. 209
and Malvern Hill lost more than one hundred men, and was compelled in the
first action to abandon its killed and wounded to the enemy. It was now
subject to a series of the most vigorous picket and field duties, and on the with-
drawal of the army of the Potomac from the peninsula, the regiment endured
the terrible forced march from Harrison's Landing to Newport News. The
Thirty-fourth was transferred from that point by water to Alexandria, and was
at once advanced to the front, encamping without tents or shelter, amid a
furious storm of wind and rain. On the eventful 30th of August it was effi-
ciently engaged in covering the retreat of Pope's army. At Antietam the
Thirty-fourth entered the field on a double quick and was moved directly to
the front, where it was exposed to a wasting fire from infantry, in front and on
both fl^anks, and by artillery on its left ; but maintained its position, although
abandoned by a supporting regiment, until ordered to fall back by General
Sedgwick personally, who received two wounds while giving the command.
In another period of the action, the regiment was again exposed to a destruct-
ive cannonade. During this bloody day the Thirty-fourth sustained a loss of
one hundred and fifty men, amounting to one half the effective strength with
which it went into action. Through the remainder of the campaign the regi-
ment was employed in constant and arduous services, in severe marches, re-
connaissances and picketing. On the nth of December it led the van of the
brigade, at that time commanded by General Sully, in the passage of the Rap-
pahannock at Fredericksburg, when the enemy were driven from the town.
The regiment lost on this occasion more than thirty men from the fire of the
enemy's batteries. After this action the Thirty-fourth remained in camp
during the winter, its repose being frequently interrupted by picket duty. At
Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg the ensuing spring it was present, but only
slightly engaged. On the expiration of its enlistment the regiment was mus-
tered out at Albany on the 30th of June 1863. The Thirty-fourth had par-
ticipated in seventeen battles and numerous skirmishes. In all these scenes.
Company H had sustained a conspicuous and honorable attitude, and worthily
received, in common with the regiment, the official encomium "That it never
failed in duty to its country, or devotion to its flag."
The Thirty-eighth New York Volunteers. — This regiment, under Colonel
J. W. Hobart Ward, was mustered into service in New York, in June, 1861.
The company enrolled in Essex county, of which Samuel B. Dwyer was elected
captain, William H. Smith first lieutenant, and A. C. Hand Livingston second
lieutenant, was incorporated with the regiment as Company K. The Thirty-
eighth regiment left the State on the 19th, and reached^ Washington on the
2ist of June, and was soon after attached to Wilcox's brigade, and Heintzel-
man's division. It advanced with the Union army to Bull Run on the 21st of
July, and was engaged in that battle, suffering a loss in killed, wounded, and
missing of one hundred and twenty-eight men. It was distinguished by its
14
2IO History of Essex County.
heroic bearing. During four hours it was in close action and exposed for a
long time to a deadly fire of artillery both in front and on its flanks. Such an
exposure affords the severest test to the constancy and courage of fresh troops.
The regiment bore the heat and dust, with all the suffering of the early part of
the_^engagement, with the highest soldierly resolution, and when confronted with
the enemy, it firmly met and successfully repulsed the attacks of his infantry.
When compelled by the disasters of the day to abandon the field, the Thirty-
eighth retreated in comparative order, and returned to the camping ground
from which it had marched in the morning. Company K, in this action, was
in charge of Lieutenant Smith and Lieutenant Livingston, owing to the absence
from sickness of Captain Dwyer. In this initial battle of the war. Company K
was the only organization from Essex county engaged, and although none
were killed on the field, it seems proper to record the names of the wounded
and captured. Orlando R. Whiting, captured and died in prison; James A.
Coburn, Henry Van Oman, killed at ChancellorsviUe; Patrick Waters, Pitt A.
Wadhams, killed at Fredericksburg; Loyal E. Wolcott, John M. Glidden,
George Boutwell, James McCormick, died in prison; and Wesley Sumner,
killed at Fredericksburg. Lieutenant Smith resigned August 2d, 1861, Lieu-
tenant Livingston, four days afterwards. The officers who subsequently served
in this company were, Fergus Walker, second lieutenant August, 1861, pro.-
moted first lieutenant May, 1862, promoted captain August, 1862; and William
Warren, second lieutenant May, 1862, promoted first lieutenant December,
1862.
Until the opening of the peninsula campaign the Thirty-eighth was em-
ployed in picket duty and the construction of field works for the defense of
Washington. In August the regiment was assigned to General Howard's
brigade. This brigade, known as the third brigade, was successively com-
manded by Generals Sedgewick and Birney. Upon the organization of the
Army of the Potomac, the division to which this brigade was attached consti-
tuted the first division of the third corps, and these various designations were
retained during the subsequent service of the regiment.
The Thirty-eighth was at the siege at Yorktown and sustained in the oper-
ations before the works some slight casualties. Its bearing at the battle of
Williamsburg was highly conspicuous, and it encountered there a loss of
eighty-six men. In this engagement, the gallant Captain Dwyer, Company K,
fell mortally wounded, and died a few days afterwards at St. Joseph's Hospital
in Philadelphia. His body, claimed by the popular enthusiasm, was borne to
the village of Elizabethtown, in his native county, of which he was a prominent
citizen, and there buried with the imposing and touching obsequies due to his
patriotic devotion.
The regiment was engaged in all the battles that immediately followed on
the peninsula. It also fought at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg
Essex County in the Rebellion. 211
and Chancellorsville. On the 21st of December, 1862, the remnants of the ten
companies of the Thirty-eighth regiment was consolidated into six companies,
and marked from A to F inclusive, while the Fifty-fifth New York Volunteers
was also consolidated into four companies enumerated' from G to K, and an-
nexed to the Thirty-eighth regiment. A large proportion of the regiment re-
enlisted, embracing a considerable part of Company K, and when it was mus-
tered out on the expiration of the term of service June 22d, 1863, these men
were transferred to the FortiethNew York Volunteers. This regiment, both before
and after the consolidation, was ranked among the most distinguished regi-
ments of the State volunteers. In noticing the departure from the field of the
Thirty-eighth regiment, the commander of the third corps in a special order
paid the highest tribute to its service and reputation.
The Forty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteers. — A happy inspiration
suggested the idea of forming a regiment to be composed of chosen men to be
selected from the various towns and wards of the State, and organized and
known as the Ellsworth Avengers. The design proposed at once to appropri-
ately commemorate the name of the young hero, who was the earliest martyr
to the Union cause, and to animate a just and patriotic military spirit through-
out the State. Essex county promptly responded to the invitation, and most
of the towns sent their representatives to the regiment. It was mustered into
the service on the 24th of September, 1861, as the Forty-fourth N. Y. Volun-
teers. The services of the Forty-fourth were active and conspicuous in the
varied operations of the army of the Potomac, and it is believed that its name
and associations rendered it to the rebels an object of peculiar hostility and
vindictive assault. The gallantry of the Forty- fourth was eminently conspicu-
ous at Hanover Court House, where four times its flag was cut down by balls,
and as often triumphantly raised. When the color-bearer fell, the standard
was promptly raised by another hand. The staff of the torn and faded flag,
deposited in the military bureau had about eighteen inches with the eagle and
top shot away at Spottsylvania. When the Forty-fourth was mustered out of
service, October nth, 1864, the veterans and recruits were transferred to the
One Hundred and Fortieth and One Hundred and Forty-sixth regiments. New
York Volunteers.
The Seventy-seventh Regiment New York Volunteers. — This regiment was
mustered into service November 23d, 1861, for three years at Bemis's Heights,
Saratoga, and by the suggestions of the spot appropriately numbered Seventy-
seventh. At this organization, James B. McKean was elected colonel ; Joseph
A. Henderson, heutenant-colonel, and Selden Hetzel, major. Two companies
attached to the Seventy-seventh, designated A, and I, were principally enrolled
in Essex county. Company A was recruited in the towns of Westport, Jay
and Keene. It was inspected on the 15th of September, and two days later pro-
ceeded to Saratoga. The company was organized by the election of Ruel W.
212 History of Essex County.
Arnold, captain ; William Douglass, first, and James H. Farnsworth, second
lieutenant. It originally mustered ninety-five men and received fifty recruits,
chiefly non-residents of Essex county, during its service. Lieutenant Farns-
worth resigned January Sth, 1862, and Charles E. Stevens was promoted to
second lieutenant. Captain Arnold resigned April 3d, 1862, and was suc-
ceeded by First Lieutenant George S. Orr, of Company G. In December fol-
lowing, Lieutenant Stevens was appointed first lieutenant and Orderly Ser-
geant William Lyon was promoted to his post. Captain Orr of Company G
was wounded at Cedar Creek and mustered out with the regiment at the expi-
ration of its term. Lieutenant Stevens was promoted to the captaincy of con-
solidated Company E, October isth, 1864. Lieutenant Lyon was killed at
Spottsylvania May loth, 1864. Charles H. Davis was promoted to second
lieutenant October i6th, 1864, and appointed first lieutenant Company E,
November I Sth, 1874, and captain, April 25th 1865. Company I was re-
cruited in the northern towns of Essex and the adjacent towns in Clinton
county. Mr. Wendell Lansing was largely instrumental in the enrollment of
this company, but on its organization was transferred to the commissary de-
partment, in which he served about one year. The company officers on its
organization were Franklin Norton, captain ; Jacob F. Hayward and Martin
Lennon, first and second lieutenants. Captain NortoA was promoted August
I Sth, 1862, to lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-third New
York Volunteers, and died on the 12th of May, 1863, of wounds received in
the battle of Chancellorsville, on the loth of December, 1862, Lieutenant
Lennon was appointed captain of Company I, and January 3d, 1863, Lieuten-
ant Hayward was promoted to quartermaster and remained in that capacity
until the term of enlistment expired. John W. Belding was made first lieuten-
ant, March 17th, 1863, was promoted to the captaincy of Company K, but
never mustered in as such, and died October 27th, 1864, from wounds received
in action. On May 19th, 1863, Orderly Sergeant Carlos W. Rowe was ap-
pointed second lieutenant. Lieutenant Rowe entered the service as corporal
in Company I. At the organisation of Company I, William E. Merrill was
corporal. He was made a sergeant July following, and orderly sergeant I'eb-
ruary, 1863. He re-enlisted in February, 1864, was severely wounded at Spott-
sylvania, was made second lieutenant September 19th, 1864, and promoted to
first lieutenant April 22d, 1865, and was mustered out with the regiment at
the close of the war.
Immediately after being organized, the Seventy-seventh started for the field
of active service, and reaching Washington in December, 1861, went into
camp on Meridian Hill. The regiment was incorporated with the Army of the
Potomac on its first organization, and continued connected with it until its dis-
bandment ; it participated in all the fortunes of that army from the com-
mencement of McClellan's campaign to the close of the war. Its earliest ex-
Essex County in the Rebellion. 213
perience of battle was in a charge upon the enemy's works at Mechanicsville,
in which a youth from Keeseville, Clifford Weston, a private in Company I,
was killed, the first offering of the regiment to the country, to be succeeded by
a long and heroic line of sacrifices. The Seventy-seventh was conspicuous
throughout these services, and no part of it was more distinguished than the
two companies from Essex county. The regiment belonged to the immortal
Sixth Corps, and its torn and fragmentary flags and guidons, and their shat-
tered staffs deposited among the archives of the State, prove its worthiness of
the association.
That its services were severe is attested by the records of thirty distinct
battles, and that they were gallantly performed is evident from the bloody dec-
imation of its ranks. One or two instances will illustrate the character and
endurance of the regiment. In the battle of White Oak Swamp, the division
to which the Seventy-seventh was attached was suddenly assailed by a superior
force of the rebels. The regiment was stationed some distance from its brig-
ade, and could not be approached owing to the severity of the enemy's fire.
Although not directly exposed to this fire, it was in imminent danger, from its
position, of being cut off. " Not proposing to move without orders," as one
of its gallant members writes, the regiment maintained its post. A slight sus-
pension of the action enabled an aid to reach it with orders to change its
ground. This order was promptly executed, but only in time to save the reg-
iment from capture.
At the battle of Spottsylvania, May loth, 1864, the Seventy- seventh was
selected with several other regiments to form an assaulting column, to charge
the enemy's lines. The attack continued scarcely more than fifteen minutes,
but was of the fiercest and bloodiest character. The position assailed was ex-
tremely formidable, and the attacking column was not sufficiently strong to
maintain it. They were compelled to fall back and abandon the position with
their dead and severely wounded to the mercy of the enemy. Twenty mem-
bers of the Seventy- seventh were left upon this field. In the terrible conflict
at Spottsylvania the regiment lost seventy-four men, about one-fourth of its
strength engaged. Lieutenant Lyon, of Company A, was killed in the charge,
and Lieutenant Rowe, of Company I, was taken prisoner.
The regiment participated in the eventful scenes of the peninsula. At
Mechanicsville it captured a guidon belonging to a Georgia regiment ; it was
at Gaines's Mills, Savage's Station, and all the operations before Richmond,
which terminated at Malvern Hill. Transferred from that field it was engaged
at Second Bull Run, Crampton Pass and Antietam, closing the services of that
year at Fredericksburg on December 13th. In January, 1863, it encountered
the horrors of the " Mud Campaign." At Marye's Heights, on the 3d of May,
it captured the flag of the Eighteenth Mississippi ; it fought at Fredericksburg,
Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station and Robinson's Tavern. In the campaign
214 History of Essex County.
of 1864 it was at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Fort Ste-
vens. Transferred to the Shenandoah Valley, it was engaged in the battle of
the 19th of September, in which Captain Lennon, of Company I, and Lieuten-
ant Belding were mortally wounded, and died, the former on the succeeding
1st of November, and the latter the 29th of October. It was at Fisher's Hill
September 22d, and at Cedar Creek on the 19th of October, gallantly aiding
in the achievement of that crowning victory. In this engagement Captain
Orr, of Company A, was severely wounded.
In November, 1864, at the expiration of its term of enlistment, the regi-
ment was mustered out of service ; but it left in the field a battalion composed
of veterans who re-enhsted,' formed from the original organization and new re-
cruits. This was designated the Seventy-seventh Battalion New York State
Volunteers. The relics of Company A and I were consolidated into a new
company designated C, and attached to the battalion. This company em-
braced eighty-five men and was formed of nearly equal proportions of the origi-
nal companies. The officers of Company C consisted of Charles E. Stevens,
captain, appointed major but not mustered in as such ; First Lieutenant
Charles A. Davis, and Second Lieutenant William E. Merrill. The battalion
was engaged in the final siege of Petersburg and in the assault of the 2d of
April its flags and guidons were the first colors on the enemy's works. It was
mustered out on June 27th, 1865. The regiment had [,463 on its rolls, of
whom seventy- three were killed in battle, forty died of their wounds and 148
of disease.
The different banners of this regiment in their torn and shattered condition,
which are deposited in the Bureau of Military Records at Albany, are invested
with deep and peculiar interest. In the charge up Marye's Heights, one of the
color- guards of the regimental flag was killed, and the banner torn into shreds
by a shell. A national flag, borne in many fields, is half gone, its ends ragged,
its field in ribbons. The top of its staff was shot off at the Battle of the Wilder-
ness. In the battle of Chancellorsville its field was torn by an enemy's shell-
Among its bearers in battle Corporal Joseph Murray was killed at Anteitam,
Michael McWilliams. in the Wilderness. Corporal Horicon of the color-guard
was killed at Cedar Creek, and Corporal Myers shot through the hand in the
Wilderness. Its inscription was placed upon the flag by the order of General
Sheridan.
Officers of Seventy-seventh mustered out on expiration of original term of
enlistment, Dec. 13th, 1864: —
Lieutenant- Colonel Winsor B. French, Major Nathan S. Babcock, Quarter-
master Jacob F. Hayward, Surgeon George T. Stevens, Assistant Surgeon
Justin T. Thompson, Assistant Surgeon Wm. A. Delong, Chaplain Norman
Fox, jr., Captains George S. Orr, Joseph H. Loveland, First Lieutenants Alon-
zo Howland, Henry C. Rowland, Lewis T. Vanderwarker, William W. Worden ;
Second Lieutenants David Lyon, Carlos W. Rowe, George W. Gillis.
Essex County in the Rebellion. 215
Officers mustered out on discharge of Battalion Seventy-seventh New York
Volunteers': —
David J. Caw, brevet-colonel, U. S. V. ; Quartermaster Charles D. Thur-
ber, brevet-captain U. S. V. ; Surgeon John C. Thompson ; Captain Isaac D.
Clapp, brevet-major, U. S. V. ; Captain David A. Thompson ; Captains Chas.
E. Stevens (appointed major but not mustered in as such), George M. Ross;
First Lieutenants William E. Merrill, Thomas S. Harris, Adam Flansburgh,
Robert E. Nelson, James A. Monroe ; Second Lieutenants Sorrell Fountain,
William Carr, William H. Quackenbush, Thomas M. White. Brevet commission
issued to enlisted men : Hospital Steward Alexander P. Waldron, second lieu-
tenant.
The Ninety-sixth New York Volunteers. — This regiment was wholly en-
rolled in the northern section of New York. Only a single company, origin-
ally organized, belonging to the Ninety-sixth, was enrolled in Essex county,
although large portions of other companies were recruited in the county, and
towards the close of the war numerous drafts from the county joined this reg-
iment. Essex was therefore largely represented in the organization. Captain
Alfred Weed enlisted principally in Ticonderoga a company which he com-
manded, and of which Thomas W. Newman was second lieutenant. This com-
pany was attached to the Ninety- sixth as Company G, George W. Hinds, of
Ausable, was captain, February i8th, 1862, and promoted to major March, 1865.
Earl Pierce, of Jay, originally attached to Company K, of the One Hundred
and Eighteenth, was appointed first lieutenant of the Ninety-sixth, January 27th,
1864, and promoted to captain January 20th, 1865. The regiment was or-
ganized at Plattsburg, and departed for the field March, 1862, under the com-
mand of James Fairman, colonel ; Charles O. Grey, lieutenant-colonel ; and
John E. Kelley, a veteran of the regular army, major. Nathan Wardner, of
Jay, was appointed chaplain of the organization, John H. Sanborn, quarter
master, and Francis Joseph D'Avignon, of Ausable Forks, surgeon. The
Ninety-sixth in the early stages of its services was severely depressed, through
the unfavorable auspices by which it was surrounded, but after the brave and
accomplished Grey was placed in command, the regiment rapidly attained a
very high reputation. It had been precipitated by ill-advised councils into
active service without the advantages of any adequate drilling, and was hurried
into the peninsula campaign before the habits of the troops were adapted to
field duty, and while they were yet unacclimated. Company G marched from
Fortress Monroe, comprising more than seventy combatants, and when it en-
tered the conflict at Fair Oaks, it retained only eighteen men fit for duty. The
remainder had been stricken down by diseases incident to hard service and
a malarious climate. This fact illustrates the general condition of the regiment,
the efficiency of which was also deeply impaired for a season by dissensions
among its officers. A number of the subordinates had resigned from this and
2i6 History of Essex County.
other causes. Captain Weed, immediately previous to Fair Oaks, was com-
pelled by severe sickness to relinquish his command, and Lieutenant Newman,
who was discharged in May, 1862, had already left the regiment. Lieutenant
Newman afterwards joined a Maryland regiment, and remained in the service
during the war. Captain Weed, after his health was restored, enlisted as a
private in the Ninety-third New York Volunteers, and did not return to civil
life until the spring of 1865. The company for a time was in charge of Orderly
Sergeant Patrick English, and was ultimately consolidated with Company C,
of Clinton county.
Major Kelley was killed in a picket skirmish, immediately before the battle
of Fair Oaks. In that action the losses of the Ninety-sixth Regiment were
extremely severe. The services of the regiment throughout the peninsula cam-
paign were marked by great perils and hardships, and elicited from General
Peck, the commander of the division, warm and unusual encomiums. It was
afterwards ordered to Suffolk, enduring all the trials and sufferings of that field,
and was subsequently engaged in the North Carolina expedition, and gallantly
participated in all the hard services of that vigorous campaign. In the battle
of Kingston, December 14th, 1862, Colonel Grey, who had already, although a
youth of twenty- four, achieved a brilliant fame, was killed while charging at
the head of the regiment over the bridge' of the Neuse, and in the act of plant-
ing its standard upon the enemy's works. Three weeks before, in presentmg
a new flag to the Ninety-sixth, he had uttered a glowing and eloquent tribute
to its old flag, and now this enveloped his coffin, as his remains were borne
from his last battle-field to its resting place among his familiar mountains. .
That venerated flag is deposited in the military bureau. After this event the
Ninety-sixth Regiment was for a short time under the command of Colonel
McKenzie.
Early in 1864 the regiment was transferred to the army of the James be-
fore Petersburg, and attached to the same" brigade with which the One Hun-
dred and Eighteenth was connected. It was incorporated with the Eighteenth
and afterwards with the Twenty-fourth Corps. The Ninety-sixth was engaged
in all the subsequent operations of the Eighteenth Corps — at Coal Harbor,
and in the assault on Fort Harrison, where its casualties were appalling. The
Ninety-sixth and the Eighth Connecticut formed the assaulting columns, with
the One Hundred and Eighteenth New York and Tenth New Hampshire on
their flanks as skirmishers. The division approached the works in close order
and in a distance of fourteen hundred yards was exposed to a plunging and
galling fire of artillery and musketry.
It steadily advanced to the base of the hill, which was crowned by the en-
emy's works. Here the column, exhausted by its rapid progress, paused.
The enemy perceiving the point of attack, were meanwhile pouring reinforce-
ments into the menaced works. The crisis was imminent, and General Stan-
Essex County in the Rebellion. 217
nard, commanding the division, sent an earnest order for an instant assault.
The head of the column charged up the hill, and scaling the parapet, drove
the enemy from their guns. Sergeant Lester Archer, of the Ninety-sixth, and
the color bearer of the Eighth Connecticut, simultaneously planted the respect-
ive regimental flags upon the ramparts. The Rev. Nathan Wardner, chaplain
of the Ninety-sixth, charged with his regiment in the advancing columns, pre-
pared to administer spiritual consolation on the very field of carnage. The
captured guns of the fort were turned upon the retreating enemy with terrible
effect The Ninety-sixth was conspicuous in opposing the repeated, resolute
and desperate attempts of the rebels to recover this important position. The
death or wounds of four superiors, placed Colonel Cullen, of the Ninety-sixth,
at the close of this sanguinary battle, in command of the division.
The Ninety-sixth continued near Fort Harrison in camp with its brigade,
after the capture of that work, until the 24th of October, when the entire
division marched against Fort Richmond, at Fair Oaks. It bivouacked that
night, about three miles from the fort. While the skirmishing part of the One
Hundred and Eighteenth was engaged in the perilous and hopeless assault of
the enemy's line, the next morning the Ninety-sixth, in common with the re-
mainder of the division, stood idle spectators of the slaughter of those troops,
although little doubt now exists that a combined and energetic attack of the
fort, when the One Hundred and Eighteenth advanced and while it was occu-
pied by a force wholly inadequate to its defense, would have secured a glori-
ous success.
For two long and trying hours after the repulse of the One Hundred and
Eighteenth the residue of the division stood under arms in front of the enemy's
lines with no orders, either to advance or retreat, while the rebels were ob-
served eagerly rushing troops into the front on foot and upon horseback. At
length, when the lines by this delay had been rendered impregnable to an at-
tack, the division was madly hurled upon the works. It was bloodily repulsed.
The casualties of the Ninety-sixth were in the highest degree severe. Its last
colonel, Stephen Moffitt, of Clinton county, who continued in the command
until the regiment was disbanded, lost a leg in this action while gallantly lead-
ing in the fruitless and disastrous assault. He was borne from the field by
Captain Earle Pierce, of the Ninety-sixth, and Captain M. V. B. Stetson, of
the One Hundred and Eighteenth, the latter of whom was wounded in the
generous act. The Ninety-sixth participated in the brilliant closing scenes of
the war around Richmond and its final consummation.
Mr. Watson pays a high tribute to Dr. D' Avignon, of the Ninety -sixth.
He was promoted to surgeon-in-chief of a division, was captured at Drury's
Bluff and confined for a time in Libby prison. He was mustered out at the
expiration of his term of service March 14th, 1865.
Officers of the Ninety-sixth mustered out with the regiment, February 6th,
ir
2i8 History of Essex County.
Colonel Stephen Moffitt, brevet brigadier- general U. S. V.; Lieutenant
Colonel George W. Hinds, brevet-colonel N. Y. V. ; Major Courtland C. Bab-
cock, brevet lieutenant-colonel N. Y. V.; Quartermaster Allen Babcock; Sur-
geon Robert W. Brady; Chaplain Nathan Wardner; Captains Earl Pierce,
Moses Gill, Moses Orr, Henry C. Buckham (brevet-major N. Y. V.), William
B. Brokaw (brevet-major N. Y. V.), Merlin C. Harris (brevet-major N. Y. V.),
Thomas E. Allen, Oscar B. Colvin; First Lieutenants William B. Stafford,
Thomas Burke, Charles H. Hogan, Orlando P. Benson, Lyman Bridges,
George J. Cady, Lucian Wood, Alexander M. Stevens, Alonzo E. Howard;
Second Lieutenants Washington Harris, Stanford H. Bugbee, Alexander Mc-
Martin, Charles Sharron, Amos S. Richardson, Silas Finch, Judson C. Ware.
Enlisted men of the regiment to whom medals of honor have been awarded
by the secretary of war: Sergeant Lester Archer.
The archives of the State present the following brilliant record of the ser-
vices of the Ninety- sixth: Gainesville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, An-
tietam, Mine Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bethesda
Church, Petersburg, Weldon Rail Road, Chapel House, Hatcher's Run, York-
town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Battle, Blackwater,' Kingston,
Whitehall, Goldsboro', Siege of Newbern, Drury's Farm, Port Walthall, Coal
Harbor, Battery Harrison, Charles City Road.
Fifth New York Cavalry. — At the opening of the War of the Rebellion,
the government suffered severely from the absence of an efficient cavalry arm.
In this force the rebels were far superior, both in numbers and efficiency. A
wide defection among the cavalry officers of the army, in one instance, embrac-
ing almost an entire regiment, and the peculiar equestrian habits of the
southern people, which rendered most men expert riders from early youth,
combined to furnish materials for an immediate and powerful organization of
mounted troops. Directly after Bull Run the government addressed itself to
the task of remedying this deficiency. Agents appeared throughout the North,
arousing the chivalric spirit of the country, and urging everywhere the forma-
tion of cavalry companies and regiments. This appeal reached the town of
Crown Point, and was responded to with an ardor and promptness that has
few parallels in all the incidents of enthusiasm that characterized the times.
The fervid zeal that was inspired could not be restrained to await the formal
preparation of enlisting papers, or for a regular mustering in, by the usual
machinery of the department. But a written compact was at once prepared,
by which each man was pledged to serve the government for three years in
the mounted service, and in an incredibly short period it received the signa-
tures of one hundred and twenty-seven of the youth of that town and its im-
mediate vicinit)^ They constituted the bone and muscle of the community.
To each name is attached the age and occupation of the signer. Nearly all
were between the ages of twenty and thirty years, and most of them were either
Essex County in the Rebellion. 219
farmers or mechanics. Almost every signature was an autograph; thus afford-
ing evidence of an intelligence and education rarely found in a body of soldiers
hastily recruited.
Under this compact, to which all implicitly adhered, the company, without
officers and without any other restraint, proceeded to New York, and were there
regularly mustered into the service. The entire body of men were accepted as pri-
vates, nor were their officers elected until the company joined the regiment on
Staten Island. John Hammond was commissioned captain, September 14th,
1861; major, September, 1863; lieutenant-colonel, March, 1864; colonel, July,
1864; andbrevetbrigadier-general, May 22d, 1866. Jonas A. Benedict was com-
missioned first Heutenant, and James A. Penfield second lieutenant of the com-
pany, the 22d of October, 1861. Lieutenant Benedict died in the next De-
cember, and was succeeded by Penfield, who was appointed captain in July,
1863, and resigned in May, 1865. John G. Viall was appointed second lieu-
tenant, December, 1861; first lieutenant, September, 1862, and captain, April,
1864. Elmer J. Barker was appointed second lieutenant, September, 1862;
first lieutenant, November, 1863; captain, March, 1864; and major, Novem-
ber, 1864. Eugene B. Hayward was appointed second lieutenant, November,
1863; first lieutenant, March, 1864; and captain, November, 1864. Lucius
F. Renne, appointed first lieutenant, November, 1864; and Clark M. Pease,
second lieutenant, November, 1864. This catalogue embraces all the changes
in the officers ,of the company during its service. The company was collected
mainly by the zeal and earnest exertions of John Hammond, of Crown Point.
The father of Mr. Hammond, Charles F. Hammond, esq., advanced the funds
for the purchase of all the original horses, amounting to one hundred and eight,
supplied the company. These horses were selected with extreme care, in
reference to their adaptedness to the service, and were probably superior to
those of any troop in the army.
This body of men was organized as Company H of the Fifth New York
Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Othniel De Forest of New York. The regi-
ment employed the winter of 1861-62 at Camp Harris near Annapolis in
constant and thorough drilling, and acquired the discipline and proficiency that
rendered its subsequent service so efficient and so valuable to the country.
This narrative proposes to trace the movements of Company H distinctively
and the operations of the regiment, where that company or the soldiers of
Essex were prominently connected with them. In April, this company was
detached to Luray Valley on special service. Here, in frequent skirmishes, it
gradually prepared for the toils and the scenes of peril and hardships which
were approaching. It rejoined the regiment in May, and did not participate
in some of its earlier achievements, but was with it in the disastrous campaign
of General Banks, and the terrible retreat through the mountains incident to it.
A part of the regiment, including Company H, acted as flankers to the army
220 History of Essex County.
in this retreat, and was exposed perpetually to severe fighting. Throughout
the month of July the regiment was engaged in frequent skirmishes, often
suffering severely from the want of rations and forage.
On the second of August a brigade composed of most of the Fifth and the
First Vermont, approached Orange C. H. from the east under the command
of General Crawford. The streets were silent and apparently deserted as the
troops entered ; but a sudden and heavy fire poured upon them announced
a concealed enemy, and while confused by its effect they were repulsed and
driven back from the town. Captain Hammond had been detached in charge
of Companies G and H across the country to the Gordonsville road which pen-
etrates the village from the southwest. He reached the road and was approach-
ing with no knowledge of the assault and repulse of the brigade. The Con-
federates were equally ignorant of his presence. Ordering his command to
draw sabres, he said to them : " This is the first favorable opportunity you
have had to try your sword ; use your hardware well and we will take the place
or die in the attempt." They rushed at full speed upon the enemy in an im-
petuous charge and with a wild shout. Although surprised the Confederates
met them by a withering discharge of musketry ; but the enthusiasm of the
cavalry was irresistible. The enemy were driven back to an open space, where
they rallied for a moment and then broke and fled in utter disorder. More
prisoners were taken than the feeble force were able to secure.
The charge was most gallantly executed and terrible in its effect. The area
in which the rebels made their last stand was strewn with the killed and
wounded, and with unhorsed men bearing fearful evidence of the force of the
sabre's blow. When the cavalry after these events advanced along the street,
they were first apprised by the dead and dying men and horses of the pre-
ceding combat. Lieutenant Penfield of Company H was peculiarly conspic-
uous in this brief conflict by his chivalric bearing. The enemy's force was
composed of the celebrated Virginia Horse, which had been organized by
Ashley.
Soon after this action a part of the regiment was engaged in the battle of
Cedar Mountain. During the month of August it was occupied with brief
relaxations, in toilsome marches, reconnaissances and various harassing and
exhaustive duties. It participated with great gallanty in the warm engage-
ments at Kelley's Ford and Waterloo, and on the 27th of August was broken
up into detachments to perform escort services to different generals. Duties of
this character, patroling, observing roads and guarding trains, constitute an
important part of the operations of cavalry, acting in a campaign under the cir-
cumstances which surrounded both armies in the War of the Rebellion ; but
like the trench duties of the other arms of the service, these operations were
far the most irksome and onerous imposed upon the mounted regiments,
attended often with greater hardships, toils and perils than actual combats ;
Essex County in the Rebellion. 221
they were not sust lined by the excitement and glory of battle. The move-
ments of the Fifth, with a few brief interludes of repose, were incessant and
generally severe. Its history from May, 1862, when it entered into active
duty, to April, 1865, presents a remarkable and scarcely parallel series of se-
yere services and hard fought battles. Besides the toils and endurance of this
special service, it was engaged in a mass or by detachments in one hundred
and eighteen skirmishes and fifty-three battles, necessarily varied in their im-
portance and severity.
The scope of this work will permit only a glance at some of the most prom-
inent of these events. The Fifth was on the bloody fields of Second Bull Run,
Chantilly and Antietam. Major Hammond conducting an expedition in Oc-
tober, came in collision with the Confederates at Leesburg, Upperville and
Thoroughfare Gap, and engaged in a running fight while pursuing their cav-
alry from Haymarket to Warrenton. The opening weeks of 1863 were de-
voted by the regiment to unremitting picket duty, charged to oppose and repel
the incursions of the guerrillas that thronged the front of the Union lines. On
the 26th of January a detachment was ordered in pursuit of a party which had
captured a picket of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania, and at Middleburg, Major
Hammond, who was in command, executed a brilliant charge through the town,
captured twenty-five of Mosby's cavalry and dispersed the party. A fortnight
later Captain Penfield, in command of Companies F and H, was engaged in
warm skirmishing with large detachments of the enemy at New Baltimore and
Warrenton. On the 9th of March Mosby by a bold movement surprised at Fair-
fax C. H., nearly six miles within the Federal Hnes, a Union detachment and
captured thirty prisoners, including General Stoughton and Captain Augustus
Barker, of Company L, and fifty choice horses belonging to the Fifth. These
men had been detached from the regiment and were acting under the com-
mand of the provost marshal. The brigade pursued the enemy by differ-
ent routes but with no success. On the 23d the regiment experienced another
severe and mortifying reverse, the rebels making a feint attack on a picket re-
treated rapidly, pursued by a part of the Fifth in charge of Majors Bacon and
White. The pursuers were arrested by a barricade across the road, and sud-
denly assailed by a sharp fire in front and flank. At this moment Mosby
dashed upon them in an unexpected impetuous charge. The cavalry broke
and precipitately retreated, with a loss of five killed and wounded and thirty-
six prisoners, including one commissioned officer. It was at length rallied by
the efforts of the officers and re-enforced ; it in turn repulsed and pursued the
enemy a distance of several miles. Yet the chagrin and mortification of the
defeat remained. Whatever lustre was lost to the fame of the Fifth by this
reverse was gloriously restored on the 3d of May. Early in the morning the
First Virginia Cavalry while dismounted were surprised by Mosby with a de-
tachment of the Black Horse Cavalry and a guerrilla force. Separated from
222 History of Essex County.
their horses, the First retreated to a house and courageously defended them-
selves, refusing to surrender. Mosby then ordered the building to be fired.
At that critical juncture the Fifth, which, without the knowledge of the rebels,
was bivouacking in a neighboring grove, burst upon them, under the command
of Major Hammond. A furious fight ensued ; but the Confederates fled,
broken and scattered, sustaining a heavy loss in killed, wounded and prisoners.
This gallant exploit was noticed in warm commendation by a special order of
the division commander.
On the 30th of May the rebels by an adroit expedition arrested a train
advancing by the Orange and Alexandria railroad to the Rapidan, heavily
laden with army supplies, and opened upon it a fire from a twelve-pounder
howitzer. The infantry guard upon the train, unable to oppose the storm of
cannister, dispersed, and the whole train with its contents was consumed. The
Fifth, with the First Vermont and Seventh Michigan Cavalry, was stationed on
the road, and through their encampment the train had just before passed. They
were startled by the report of the gun, and those not engaged on picket duty
directly mounted, and taking different routes marched across the country with
the hope of intercepting the rebel retreat. The Fifth first came upon them and
immediately charged ; but was repulsed by a discharge of small arms and the
howitzer at close quarters in a narrow road which the gun completely com-
manded. The officer in command of the Fifth, Capt. Hasbroock, judiciously
hesitated on renewing the assault, but Lieutenant Barker of Company H, un-
willing to allow the enemy to escape in their triumph, and calling on the men
to follow in the charge upon the gun, he dashed up a steep hill at the head of
less than a score of volunteers, and when they had nearly reached the howitzer
it poured forth a withering shower of cannister, by which the young leader
was stricken down with two shot through his thigh, another severing the sole
from his boot ; his horse received three grape and two pistol balls in his body.
Three of the little band were killed and most of the others severely wounded ;
but before the piece could be reloaded the survivors were sabreing the gunners
at their post. After a brief but fierce conflict the howitzer was recaptured, for
it had been taken at Ball's Bluff", and to the captors it was a proud and grate-
ful trophy. The rebels lost two officers and several men, wounded and cap-
tured. In this movement Mosby first introduced his use of artillery.
Soon after this occurrence the cavalry division to which the Fifth was at-
tached joined the army of the Potomac in the Gettysburg campaign. On the
last day of June the cavalry division of Kilpatrick, with two batteries of artil-
lery, were defiling through Hanover, Penn. Each regiment, in its passage,
was regaled by the patriotic citizens. While the Fifth was in the act of par-
ticipating in this hospitality, a cannon sounded from an adjacent height. For
the moment it was supposed to be connected with the demonstration, but it
proved to be a signal gun, and its echo had scarcely ceased when Stuart, at the
Essex County in the Rebellion. 223
head of a large party of cavalry, rushed in a furious assault upon the Eighteenth
Pennsylvania, which held the rear of the brigade. Stuart was unexpectedly pres-
ent with 3,000 horse, supported by artillery, and was in occupation of the sur-
rounding hills. With consummate coolness and judgment, Major Hammond,
then in command of the Fifth, which in the street received the first shock of the
attack, instantly formed the regiment, faced to the rear in column, and charged
the enemy's front. A fearful hand to hand conflict in the narrow street succeeded,
when the rebels, broke and repulsed, with a heavy loss, sought the protection of
their artillery. The casualties of the Fifth were forty killed and wounded, and a
few missing. Adjutant Gall was killed while charging in the street, and Major
White slightly wounded. The trophies of the Fifth included the commander of a
brigade, a battle flag, and a few prisoners. The division was engaged in the after-
noon of the 2d of July with the enemy's cavalry on the left of their line at Gettys-
burg. Custer, with the Second Brigade, retained that position through the 3d.
The First Brigade, including the Fifth, under Kilpatrick and Farnsworth,
marched all the night of the 2d, and reached the right flank of the rebels about
10 o'clock on the 3d, and maintained a vigorous contest through the day.
Repeated charges were made upon the enemy's infantry line, in one of which
General Farnsworth, the commander of the brigade, gallantly fell. The Fifth,
during a part of these events, was left in support of Elder's battery, and ex-
posed to a tremendous cannonade.
On the night of the 4th the cavalry division intercepted upon the summit
of South Mountain the enemy with an immense train transporting the spoils
of Pennsylvania. After a sharp contest the entire train was captured with
1,500 prisoners and 200 wagons burnt. On the 6th the division was engaged
in the defense of Hagerstown against the attacks of Stuart's cavalry, and in
the afternoon of that day retreated before Hood's infantry towards Williams-
port amid continuous and severe fighting. In one of the charges in these con-
flicts the horse of Captain Penfield of Company H was killed under him, and
while attempting to extricate himself from the fallen animal he received a fear-
ful sabre cut upon the head, and was taken prisoner. He suffered in the
Southern prisons until March, 1865, and resigned after his exchange. The
Third division, united with Burford's, maintained on the 8th upon the plains
near Antietam creek, a severe engagement with Stuart supported by Hood.
The conflict was desperate and sanguinary, but in a final charge by the Union
cavalry towards the close of the day, the rebels were swept from the field with
a heavy loss. On the 14th the division attacked the rear of the retreating ene-
my near Falling Water, and captured a brigade of infantry under General Pet-
tigrew, who was mortally wounded, two flags and two pieces of cannon. Dur-
ing the remainder of the summer and far into the autumn the regiment was
incessantly engaged in the severest field duties, attended with frequent bloody
collisions with the enemy's horse. On the loth and nth of October the di-
224 History of Essex County.
vision was involved in a most critical position from a formidable attack by in-
fantry and cavalry in the neighborhood of Culpepper, and near Brandy Sta-
tion. Surrounded by the enemy, it was only extricated by one of the most
daring charges led by Kilpatrick, Davies and Custer, that signalized the war.
The enemy was checked and the division united with Burford's, and at night
fell back across the Rappahannock. During these operations, Major Ham-
mond, with half of the Fifth, was in support of a section of Elde^r's battery,
while Major White was supporting the other section with the remainder of the
regiment, and by a bold and opportune charge they saved the battery from
capture. On the loth of December Major Hammond and Captain Krom
were ordered home on recruiting service, and returned to the regiment before
the middle of March, having enlisted 500 men by great efforts and personal
disbursements. A large part of the regiment at this time re-entered the service
on a new enlistment.
At the approach of the new year of 1864 the Fifth were permitted to con-
struct near Germania Ford its winter quarters ; but this promise of repose re-
sulted in only slight actual relaxation of their active patrol service. On the
28th of February the entire Third division marched upon a raid of more than
usual importance towards Richmond. A detachment of the Fifth was detailed
to serve in the subordinate and unfortunate expedition of Colonel Dahlgren,
but it embraced no member of Company H. The division encountered in its
movement extreme suffering and toil, at length reached the Union lines near
Yorktown, were transported to Alexandria, and from thence reached its former
camp at Stevensburg. Towards the close of April the regiment broke up
its nominal winter quarters and prepared for the impending campaign. On the
4th of May the Fifth leading the division forded the Rapidan ; the first regi-
ment in this campaign that crossed that stream. Early the next morning a
heavy column of infantry appeared on its flank, and a furious conflict immedi-
ately commenced. This action was the initiative of the memorable battle of
the Wilderness. Colonel Hammond, after holding his ground for three hours,
advised General Meade of the evidently large force in his front, with the assur-
ance that he would " hold them in check as long as possible." By voice and
example he maintained the regiment resolutely in hand. A portion of it was
dismounted, and assailed the enemy with the Spencer rifle with terrible effect.
Until relieved by a part of the Sixth Corps, the Fifth, with unsurpassed firm-
ness and devotion, confronted for five hours the assailing column, and slowly
and defiantly falling back, it performed most valuable service to the army, but
at a fearful sacrifice to itself After this brilliant achievement the Fifth was
ordered to bivouack near the Wilderness Tavern, to be under the immediate
orders of General Meade.
On the 7th the Fifth, in conjunction with two other regiments, all under
the command of Colonel Hammond, was again in the advance, intrusted with
Essex County in the Rebellion. 225
the responsible duty of guarding the fords and picketing the roads. In the
afternoon the command was attacked by cavahy and artillery, and a part giving
way, Hammond was compelled to make a rapid retreat down the river. When
Grant effected his first flank movement, the Fifth was the last regiment that
left the Wilderness. It was in the rear of Burnside's Corps, and the command
of Hammond subsequently formed the rear of Hancock's Corps. Colonel
Hammond was re-enforced on the 17th by the First Massachusetts, 1,200
strong, with direct orders from General Meade to destroy the Guineas Station,
and make a reconnaissance on Lee's flank. He found the enemy strongly for-
tified on the banks of the Potomac, and a warmly contested action occurred,
without dislodging their force. Four days later the regiment had another se-
vere fight on the Mattapony. On the 23d it encountered the enemy in large
force, near Mt. Carmel Church. A furious fight ensued, that brought on a
general engagement between the armies, which resulted in the rebels being
driven from their strong position on the North Anna. The brigade, on the
1st of June, met the rebels in a conflict of unusual severity at Ashland Station.
Although inflicting a heavy loss upon the enemy, it suffered itself severely.
Major White of the Fifth was dangerously wounded, and Colonel Hammond
received a ball just above the ankle, that had flattened upon his scabbard. On
a previous occasion he had been wounded in the hand. At Salem Church the
brigade was again engaged, and on the iSth, near White Oak Swamp, the di-
vision suddenly encountered a heavy Confederate column, and after a severely
contested action, the division was overwhelmed by superior numbers, suffering
heavily and was compelled to fall back.
General Wilson who had succeeded Kilpatrick in the command of the Third
Division, aided by Kautz's brigade of cavalry and fourteen pieces of flying
artillery, on the 2 2d of June commenced his remarkable raid which was de-
signed to sever the enemy's communications below Richmond. Rushing with
the utmost celerity along devious roads and through unfrequented by-paths, it
accompHshed a vast work of devastation. It first struck the Weldon railroad ;
it next reached the South Side road ; here and everywhere on its march de-
struction marked its track. Near the close of the second day it was met by a
strong force of the enemy ; a sharp engagement followed, protracted long into
the night. The Fifth was in the skirmish line, and fought with its usual ardor
and efficiency. On the 24th the expedition reached and effectually broke up
the Danville road. The next day Kautz w_as repulsed in an attempt to burn
the bridge over the Staunton River. Up to this point ten important and sev-
eral smaller stations and depots had been destroyed, and fifty miles of railroad
track with their bridges and culverts. The course of the expedition was now
describing a wide circle gradually tending towards the Union line. The 28th
it reached the Weldon road, and through the night with brief pauses was en-
gaged in a fight with an infantry force. On the 8th day of its march it again
15
226 History of Essex County.
approached Ream's Station. The Fifth was leading, and a mile and a half in
advance of the column. Here the harassed troops had the assurance of meet-
ing a support, but instead of succor and friends, they were confronted by an
impassable barrier, supported by a force of overwhelming strength. The de-
cision was promptly made to attempt a retreat to Rowanty creek and there
fortify, while scouts should penetrate to the Union lines and apprise General Grant
of the critical position of the command. The execution of the plan was at-
tempted, but while the main body was in bivouac it was irresistibly assailed
by the rebels on its flanks and rear and utterly routed. It is impossible to
here trace the incidents by which the command, broken up and scattered,
reached the Federal lines by detachments, in small parties and individually,
many after several days of severe suffering. The artillery wagons and trains
were lost. Many of the troops were slain and numerous prisoners and horses
left in the enemy's hands. Hundreds of slaves who had gathered in joyous
exaltation around the column, were abandoned to their fate.
The shattered Fifth, after its fearful endurance in this expedition, was al-
lowed a brief period of repose, but on the 6th of August the whole division
was embarked on transports at City Point and transferred to a new field of ac-
tion with the army of the Shenandoah. A number of the regiment who were
disabled or had lost their horses in the raid had been previously sent to Camp
Stoneman near Washington, participating in the series of battles fought the
month of July in Upper Maryland. The Fifth was soon after actively engaged
in picket duty in aiding to cover Sheridan's retreat from Cedar Creek, slowly
falling back amid incessant conflicts. On the 25th of August the First and
Third Divisions of cavalry met a heavy force of the enemy under Brecken-
ridge, and after a protracted engagement were forced to retreat. The regi-
ment lost a number in killed and wounded, including Lieutenant Greenleaf,
commanding Company A, mortally wounded. At night it moved to the Po-
tomac, and crossing at Maryland Heights on a pontoon bridge, it did not pause
until it reached Antietam creek. Two days afterwards the division recrossed
the Potomac and with the army again assumed an offensive attitude.
The term of Colonel Hammond's service having expired and private duties
constraining his return to civil life, on the 30th of August he bade a formal
farewell to the noble regiment he had so long commanded and led through a
series of such brilliant services. An infinitude of toils and privation, of perils
and triumphs and a common fame, had united the officers and men of the
Fifth by' no ordinary ties of cordial aiTection and fraternal sympathy. As
no man had entered the service of the country from loftier impulses than Col-
onel Hammond, so no officer of his grade left the army with a higher reputa-
tion. He was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Lieutenant- Col-
onel Bacon.
In the early part of September the brigade was constantly engaged with
Essex County in the Rebellion. 227
the enemy's forces, and on the 13th captured at Opequan the South Carohna
Eighth with its colonel and standard. On the 19th it was engaged in the ter-
rible battle near Winchester, and during that day executed five distinct charges,
four of which were against the close serried ranks of infantry. Its losses were
heavy, but its bearing was eminently conspicuous. Advancing in pursuit of
the enemy the regiment was exposed near Ashbury church to a furious shell-
ing, such as it had never before experienced ; but it maintained its position with
unfaltering firmness and tenacity. Through the month of September it had
trifling relief from incessant and harassing duty in patroling, forming escort,
and in actual conflict.
Determined to arrest the harassing assaults of the enemy upon the Union
pickets and rear, Custer, with the Third Division on the 9th of October turned
back upon and attacked them in one of the most spirited cavalry actions of the
war. Amid the animating clangor of the bugles along the whole front, sound-
ing the charge, the entire line rushed forward ; Custer himself at the head of
the Fifth dashed upon the rebels' strong central position. The issue formed a
brilliant success to the Federal troops. On the 19th the division was lying at
Cedar Creek with the Union army, and indulging in its fatal security. It en-
dured the common disasters, incident to the surprise and rout, and fully partic-
ipated in the crowning victory wrought by the marvelous inspirations of Sher-
idan. Near the close of the day the Confederates made a final and desperate
effort to redeem its fortunes, by a cavalry attack upon the flank of the Union
army. This movement Custer was ordered to repel. Torn by the Union ar-
tillery, and at sundown assailed by the whole line, the rebels broke and fled in
a disordered rout. At that moment the Third Division burst upon them in a
merciless pursuit. There was no cheering, no sounding of trumpets, and the
flying enemy were admonished of impending slaughter only by the trampling
of pursuing horses. At length they halt and pour a volley upon the Union
cavalry. Then the bugles sounded and Custer and his men were in their midst,
and a scene of carnage ensued that had scarcely a parallel in the war. A
bloody track, weapons broken or abandoned, the bodies of the dead and wound-
ed, attested the horrors of the fight. For five miles the pursuit continued,
until darkness spread its compassionate mantle over the frightful spectacle.
Captain Barker of Company H, by the personal command of Custer, had led
the charge. The Fifth, commanded in the field by Major A. H. Krom,
gleaned immense spoils from the common harvest of the great victory.
The Second and Third Divisions of cavalry while engaged in a reconnais-
sance on the 22d of November, near Mount Jackson, were involved in a hard
fought battle, and again the Fifth was peculiarly distinguished in repelling by
a bold and vigorous movement a flank attack on the column by the Confeder-
ate cavalry. On the isth the regiment was ordered into camp near the head-
quarters of the commanding general, and a few days after was allowed to con-
228 History of Essex County.
struct its winter quarters near Winchester. On the 27th of February, 1865,
Sheridan moved with the cavalry of the Shenandoah towards Staunton, and
on the 1st of March at Waynesboro', nearly annihilated the relics of Early's
army. Fourteen hundred prisoners were among the fruits of this victory.
Sheridan decided to transfer most of these to the Union rear, and the Fifth,
under Colonel Boice, with broken parties of other regiments, amounting in all
to about one thousand men, was detached as their escort. The distance was
more than one hundred miles through a country infested by guerrilla bands,
and occupied by General Rosser, an alert and energetic rebel leader. The
service was difficult and perilous, but was successfully executed. Rosser made
a vehement effort to rescue the prisoners, but was repulsed with a severe loss,
leaving a number of his troops to augment the aggregate of prisoners. Gen-
eral Sheridan had detained about his own person a small detachment of the
Fifth, selected for special duty. These accompanied him on his trying march
to the James ; participated with their wonted efficiency in the closing battles
of the war, and were present at the surrender of Lee.
The main body of the regiment performed on the 19th of May its final service
in an expedition to Lexington, Va., to effect the arrest of Governor Letcher,
and on the 19th of July it received its last general orders, directing its return
to New York to be there mustered out of service and discharged. By an
auspicious fortune the Fifth had fought at Hanover, Pa., the first battle on free
soil ; it was the first Union regiment that crossed the Rapidan in Grant's cam-
paign ; it received the first shock at the battle of the Wilderness, and was the
last to leave the field.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth New York Volunteers. — This gallant
regiment was recruited entirely in the Sixteenth congressional district, and
throughout its whole career was an object of peculiar pride and solicitude to
the people of that district. Its organization embraced three companies from
Warren county. A, D, G; three from Clinton county, B, H, I ; three from
Essex county, C, E, F ; and one, K, from Essex and Clinton. The latter
company was enrolled chiefly in the Ausable valley ; a part in Peru, and a
small portion were residents of Jay; the captain, John S. Stone was from Black
Brook, Clinton county. The regiment with great appropriateness designated
" the Adirondack," was mustered into service the 29th of August, 1862, with
Samuel F. Richards, of Warrensburg, colonel; Oliver Keese, jr., of Keeseville,
lieutenant- colonel ; and George F. Nichols, of Plattsburg, major. By the
successive resignations, in both cases from severe sickness, of Colonel Richards
in the summer of 1863, and Keese in May, 1864, Major Nichols was promoted
to the command of the regiment, and led it with distinguished skill and cour-
age in many of the severe conflicts it encountered. Colonel Keese, during his
command of the regiment, was usually in the performance of active duty in the
field. At the mustering in, the officers of Company C were James H. Pierce,
Essex County in the Rebellion. 229
of St. Armands, captain ; Nathan L. Washburn, of Wilmington, first, and
George M. Butrick, of Jay, second heutenant ; the two latter resigned in 1863,
and were succeeded by George F. Campbell and Luther S. Bryant. Of Com-
pany E, Jacob Parmeter, of North Hudson, was captain; Joseph R. Seaman, of
Schroon, first lieutenant, who was promoted to the captaincy of Company A,
and came home in that command ; and John Brydon, of Crown Point, second
lieutenant, who succeeded Seaman, was promoted to the command of Com-
pany K, was afterwards in the ordnance department and general staff, and
brevetted major. Sergeant Edgar A. Wing succeeded Brydon and Sergeant
J. Wesley Treadway, promoted to second lieutenant; in November, 1846, first
lieutenant Company A. Corporal M. V. B. Knox was promoted second lieu-
tenant colored volunteers, and left the service with rank of captain. In Com-
pany F, Robert W. Livingstone, of Elizabethtown, was captain, and received
the brevet of major ; John L. Cunningham, of Essex, first lieutenant, was pro-
moted in 1863, to captain of Company D, and to major in 1864, and brevetted
lieutenant-colonel ; and William H. Stevenson, of Moriah, second lieutenant,
who succeeded Cunningham ; Henry J. Northrop was appointed second lieu-
tenant in 1864; Daniel A. O'Connor was promoted to first lieutenant in 1864,
and came home in acting command of company. Charles A. Grace was pro-
moted to second lieutenant ; Henry J. Adams and Nelson J. Gibbs were pro-
moted from this company to lieutenantcies in Companies G and I. Adams
was afterwards advanced to captain and commissary of subsistence and brevet
major N. Y. V. Rowland C. Kellogg, promoted to second, soon after first
lieutenant Company D, and in 1864 appointed captain in commissary depart-
ment. The officers of Company K were John S. Stone of Black Brook, Clin-
ton county, captain ; John S. Boynton, of Peru, first lieutenant, resigned in
spring of 1864 and succeeded by Sam Sherman, of Company D. Henry M.
Mould, of Keeseville, second lieutenant, resigned in 1863 and succeeded by
Charles W. Wells, who was promoted to captaincy of Company C, and came
home in command. PhilHp V. N. McLean was promoted from this company
to second lieutenant Company D. Charles E. Pruyn was adjutant of the reg-
iment on the organization. Patrick H. Delaney, quartermaster ; John K.
Mooers, surgeon ; James G. Porteous, assistant, promoted to surgeon in Forty-
sixth ; and Charles L. Hagar, chaplain.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment entered the service with an
aggregate of nine hundred and eighty-three men; it was re-enforced at intervals
by three hundred and fifty recruits, but returned from the field at the expira-
tion of its term with only three hundred and twenty-three in its ranks, embrac-
ing both officers and privates. Immediately upon joining the army the regi-
ment formed a part of Peck's force, in the memorable defense of Suffolk, and
was employed in the arduous raids along the Black Water. It was %yarmly en-
gaged through two days, and often under heavy fire, in a continued skirmish
230 History of Essex County.
with the rebel sharpshooters near Suffolk and participated in the diversion
north of Richmond, to draw Lee from Pennsylvania, in June, 1863. The
brigade to which the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment was attached
was in the advance, and the regiment was ordered to destroy parts of the
Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. While the regiment was engaged in
executing this service, two companies, A, Captain Norris, and F (in the
absence from severe sickness of Captain Livingston, commanded by Lieutenant
Cunningham), were advanced as skirmishers along the railroad towards the
South Anna river, and after cautiously proceeding about one mile came in
contact with the rebel pickets. The command continued to advance in line
urider a sharp and constant fire, the enemy slowly retiring, and speedily in
addition to small arms they opened a fire on the Union troops from batteries
in front commanding the line of the railroad and on a flank. The companies
under this concentrated fire were compelled to retreat and fell back in order,
assuming a strong position in a wood, behind a ditch with an open field in
front. During this movement Lieutenant Cunningham received a painful
wound from a spent ball, but did not leave the field. Major Nichols soon after
appeared on the field with two fresh companies, D, Captain Riggs, and a com-
pany of the Ninety-ninth New York. These companies deployed on either
side, and the line thus formed made a rapid advance. A warm action ensued
in which the command was subjected to a heavy fire of mingled bullets, shot
and shell. The enemy were at length driven back along their whole front,
except at one point in their position, which was obstinately maintained and
appeared to be fortified. This point, which proved to be a breastwork of
plank. Lieutenant W. H. Stevenson, of Company F, proposed to capture; and
calling for volunteers for the service, selected five of the first who offered. He
rapidly advanced in the dark behind a screen of bushes, which flanked the
rebels' position on the right, and with fixed bayonets and loaded guns rushed
upon the breastwork with a wild shout. Although surprised, the enemy at-
tempted a resistance, but the gallant Stevenson killed one with his revolver,
wounded a second and captured the remainder of the party consisting of thir-
teen men, who were brought into the Federal lines. This dashing exploit in-
itiated the brief though brilliant career of the stripling hero. The courage
and resolution of the regiment was first tested on this occasion, and the con-
duct of the officers engaged and the steadiness and discipline of the troops re-
ceived the highest encomiums.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth continued attached to the column of
the James until the spring of 1864, and was engaged in operations near Nor-
folk, and at and near Bermuda Hundred. In January it composed a portion
of Wistar's command, and advanced to Bottom's Bridge from Williamsburg, in
an attempt upon Richmond. It at this time constituted a part of the second
brigade, first division of the eighteenth corps. General W. F. Smith com-
Essex County in the Rebellion. 231
manded the corps, Brooks the division, and Burnham the brigade. All these
officers were eminently distinguished by their fighting qualities and high rep-
utation. Early in May the army marched upon the ill-omened expedition
against Fort Darling on the James, which was terminated by the fatal results
at Drury's Bluff. The march from the commencement to its disastrous issue
was a constant scene of fighting and skirmishes. On the tenth Companies D,
F and K, were advanced in a skirmishing line, the last held in reserve, while
the remainder of the regiment was deployed. The coolness and bearing of
Lieutenant Stevenson of F, and Kellogg of Company D, were conspicuous, and
the steadiness of the whole line was eminently distinguished.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth, four days after, captured with small
loss a series of rifle pits, redoubts and batteries, which formed a strong advance
line of the enemy. This work from the form of its construction afforded no
protection to the Federal troops. The enemy occupied a short distance in
front far more formidable works, mounted with heavy guns, and during the
whole day the second brigade was exposed to a severe fire of shell from this
work. One of the missiles crushed the head of Sergeant Place, of Company
K, a brave and intelligent soldier. Throughout Sunday, the iSth, the brigade
maintained this exposed position, which was soon to acquire a dread and
bloody prominence in one of the darkest pages of the war. Heckman's brigade,
lying to the right of the second, formed the extreme right of the army line.
Between Heckman's brigade and the James there was an interval of a mile in
length, which was left unoccupied, except by a few feeble and scattering posts
of colored cavalry. No entrenchments had been constructed either in front of
the Union lines or on the flank, excepting such as were hastily thrown up
under the direction of commanders of particular brigades or regiments. The
ground had been previously occupied by the confederates, by whom scattered
and irregular redoubts, trenches and rifle pits were constructed; but these were
so arranged that they afforded no protection to the Union troops in their
present position. The line held by the second brigade stretched along a deep
excavation which had been made by the rebels, and at this time was filled with
water. A standing place was formed for the brigade, by leveling a narrow
space between this ditch and the embankment created by the earth thrown up
in its construction. Slight bridges were at short intervals thrown across
the trench. These precautions proved a few hours later of infinite importance.
The embankment was thus coverted into an imperfect defense, which in the
subsequent action afforded great protection to the troops. General Brooks
conceived the novel and happy idea of extending a telegraph wire in front of
the brigade; but, unfortunately, Heckman's brigade was without even this
feeble protection, and lay totally exposed to the assault of a vigilant foe.
At three o'clock on the morning of the 1 6th the One Hundred and
Eighteenth was aroused and at its post, in conformity to special orders, or its
232 History of Essex County.
established practice. The air was loaded with a thick, dense fog, which the
opening dawn but slightly dissipated. As sunrise approached the advance
or movement of troops was noficed in front, but in the obscure light, the color
of their uniform could not be distinguished, nor their evolutions determined.
A few shots from Belger's artillery, in front of the brigade, were thrown into
the ravine along which these troops were advancing, and they were seen to
halt and lie down. A staff officer, who at that moment appeared on the field,
pronouncing them to be Federal pickets retiring, ordered the firing to cease.
Small white flags or signals were distinctly discerned, waving in the mist, and
voices shouted from the obscurity, "Don't fire on your friends." The musketry
had already become sharp on the right, but the second brigade had received
no orders of any kind. There was a period of fearful suspense and hesitation.
Captain Ramson, of Company I, unable to restrain his impatience, leaped upon
the embankment, and firing his revolver, exclaimed: "This is my reception of
such friends." The last chamber was scarcely exploded, when he fell, pierced
by a ball that passed through his body, and shattered his arm. Doubt no
longer existed of the character or purpose of these troops, and the One Hun-
dred and Eighteenth instantly poured a volley into the advancing line. The
front rank of the enemy now rushing impetuously forward, and in the dimness
of the light, stumbled over the wires, and those in the rear pressing after them,
all were hurled together in a promiscuous mass ; their ranks broken and thrown
into inextricable disorder. Many of the enemy, involved in this confusion
threw down their arms and surrendered, and were sent to the rear. Up to this
point the One Hundred and Eighteenth had achieved a success. It was vigi-
lant, and the contemplated surprise had been defeated ; but Heckman's brigade
was surprised and nearly flanked, from the undefended space on its right. It
had fallen back, and at onetime the whole brigade were prisoners; but in the
turhult, and amid the dense mist and smoke, escaped. The Eighth Connecti-
cut, next on the right of the One Hundred and Eighteenth, was attacked in
the flank, doubled up and disappeared from the field. The One Hundred and
Eighteenth was now exposed to a crushing fire in front and upon the right
flank. The extemporaneous traverses which it had constructed at this crisis
were most effective, affording a partial protection, and for a while the resistance
of the regiment appeared to be successful ; but it was enveloped by an over-
whelming force, and a terrific and sanguinary conflict ensued. In the des-
perate aspect of the battle, each man was directed to gain the rear without re-
gard to discipline. A few embraced the opportunity to retreat; others still
sustained the fight, while the wounded implored their comrades not to abandon
them, and more than one noble life was sacrificed to preserve these sufferers
from the horrid calamities of a hostile prison house. The regiment was soon
after rallied and made a gallant stand, but was compelled to fall back; again
advanced a short space, and ultimately retreated in order. Captain Dominy,
Essex County in the Rebellion. 233
the senior officer, succeeded to the temporary command of the regiment, on
the disability of Colonel Nichols.
The dire aceldama was ennobled by deeds of daring heroism and instances
of exalted devotion. An intrepid young lieutenant, Henry J. Adams, of Eliz-
abethtown, at the moment the regiment was breaking, seized a standard, and
shouting the words so familiar to scenes of home and festive joyousness : " Rally
round the flag, boys," attempted to arrest the retreat and essentially aided in
rallying the troops. Captain Robert W. Livingston, of Company F, early in
the action moved from the cover of the embankment in order to communicate
with Colonel Nichols, and while standing a moment exposed, was struck down
by a frightful wound in the side and shoulder. His gallant young lieutenant,
W. H. Stevenson, who was behind an embankment and in a situation compar-
atively secure, saw him fall, and calling on the men to bring in their captain,
rushed out to Livingston's assistance, accompanied by four of the company. Liv-
ingston admonished thqm of the great exposure they incurred, and urged that
he might be left, but Stevenson persisted in his generous purpose, and in a
moment after fell dead at his commander's side, a sacrifice to duty and friend-
ship. Two of the brave men (George Miller and William Huff) were pros-
trated by wounds, were captured and died in Southern prisons. Livingston,
as he was borne from the field-, was struck by another shot that terribly lacer-
ated his foot and leg. He languished in great suffering fourteen months in a
hospital before his severe wounds permitted a return to his home, a mutilated
and disabled soldier.
The regiment was not pursued by the severely punished enemy and was
immediately rallied by its own officers. It maintained a bold and defiant
attitude until most of its wounded were borne from the field. In that conflict,
scarcely extending over the space of half an hour, the One Hundred and Eight-
eenth out of the 350 men engaged lost 198 privates and thirteen officers in
killed, wounded and prisoners. Amid all these disasters and sacrifices the
regiment had captured and secured 200 prisoners, a greater number than it
retained in men fit for duty. Among the killed on this fatal day was Captain
John S. Ston^ of Company K. Lieutenant Stevenson was killed and Lieu-
tenant Edgar A. Wing, Company E, a youth of high promise who had been
promoted to the company only a few days before, was mortally wounded, taken
prisoner and died the next day. Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols was slightly
wounded in the side and hand, from which his sword was stricken by a shot ;
and his clothing, as was that of several other officers, was riddled by bullets.
Adjutant John M. Carter lost an arm and was captured ; Captains Livingston
and Ransom were severely wounded ; Lieutenants Treadway and Sherman
were wounded, and Captain Dennis Stone, Company A, and James H. Pierce,
Company C, taken prisoners. The army on the same day fell back to Bermuda
Hundreds and fortified ; but the stricken and fragmentary One Hundred and
Eighteenth were exempted from the toil of entrenching.
234 History of Essex County.
On the 29th of May the Eighteenth corps, embracing the One Hundred
and Eighteenth, embarked in transports, and passing down the James, ascended
the Pamunky and landed at the White House. Directly upon disembarking
it was rushed to the front, and on the 1st of June joined the Army of the',Poto-
mac. On that day near Coal Harbor commenced a battle which continued
until the 3d, and was one of the most severely contested and sanguinary en-
gagements of the war ; but its incidents have been singularly veiled from the
public eye. The Eighteenth corps occupied a position in front of the Union
army. The One Hundred and Eighteenth was engaged in the bloody scenes
of these conflicts, but not unconnected with its corps. Its casualties were ex-
tremely severe. At times exposed to a heavy fire in front and enfiladed by a
battery and rifle pits, to escape annihilation the troops were compelled to lie
prone upon the earth, while a tempest of minnie balls, shot anti shells, hurtled
just above them. The dead could neither be removed nor buried, and their
corpses were thrown upon the breastwork, with a slight covering of earth strewn
upon them, and thus their decaying bodies aided to form a bulwark for pro-
tection of their living comrades. The taint from the decomposing mass became
almost insufferable before the corps was withdrawn from the trenches. The
sufferings of the regiment through the trying ordeal of those eight days were
extreme. It lost at Coal Harbor seve^iteen men and officers. Among the
casualties were Lieutenant Michael Reynolds, of Company A, killed, Captain
Jacob Parmerter, of Company E, severely wounded with the loss of a leg. An
impregnable line in front arrested all advance by the Union army, but the ene-
my was held in an equally tenacious and unyielding grasp. The Eighteenth
Corps sustained its exposed position, and in the end formed a curtain behind
which, on the 12th, General Grant accomplished his perilous and memorable
flank movement which effected the change of his base. When this bold and
remarkable operation had been accomplished, the Eighteenth also hastily
abandoned its entrenchments and fell back unopposed to the White House,
and returned to its previous field of duty. On the 15th of June the One
Hundred and Eighteenth was engaged in the attack on Petersburg. Here it
suffered a heavy loss in the death of Major Charles E. Pruyn, who was in tem-
porary command of the regiment. While standing in an exposed position and
in the act of surveying the works he was preparing to assault, he was struck
and horribly mutilated by a shell. He had acted as adjutant in the organiza-
tion of the regiment and its singular proficiency and high discipline were
chiefly imputed to the skill and assiduity of his services, sustained by the field
officers, pre-eminently by the military attainments and persistent zeal of Colo-
nel Keese.^ Lieutenant Rowland C. Kellogg, was also wounded by the ex-
1 Major Pruyn had been First Lieutenant in the Ninety-seventh, but resigned and became attached
to the One Hundred and Eighteenth. In the summer of 1863 he was appointed major on the recom-
mendation of m large part of the line officers of the regiment. — Major Livingstone's Letter.
Essex County in the Rebellion. 235
plosion of a shell. Captain Levi S. Dominy, of Company B, succeeded to the
immediate command of the regiment.
The fierce and protracted siege of Petersburg exacted from the One Hun-
dred and Eighteenth the most arduous and exhaustive duties. Night suc-
ceeded the day, days rolled into weeks, and the weeks formed months, but
their toils had no mitigation, while their endurance and dangers were perpet-
ual. Now exposed to the burning sun and breathing the arid sand, and now
struggling in mud and water ; often suffering for drink, seldom able to wash,
and never changing their clothes for rest. Constantly shelled and frequently
enfiladed by new batteries ; burrowing in the earth to escape projectiles,
against which ordinary entrenchments afforded no protection, the troops were,
yet joyous, patient, enduring and full of hope. Amid all these exposures and
suffering, after it had recovered from an almost universal prostration by chill
and fever at Gloucester Point, and although moving in a malarious region, the
One Hundred and Eighteenth was always vigorous and healthy. The rigorous
ordeal to which it was now subjected continued with brief relief until the 29th
of July, when the regiment was withdrawn to aid in the support of the storming
column, which was designed to assail the enemy's works, on the explosion of
the long projected mine. They witnessed in sadness and humiliation the dis-
astrous failure of that magnificent experiment. On the 27th of August, after
a term of two months, the Second Brigade was relieved from its arduous trench
duties. During the long period of 113 days the One Hundred and Eight-
eenth had marched and toiled, and endured, with no enjoyment of quiet re-
pose, and almost incessantly subjected to the fire of the enemy. A single
month the One Hundred and Eighteenth was permitted to repose after its
prolonged and severe service, in a pleasant encampment near the southern
banks of the James. In that interval the Ninety-sixth had been attached to
the Second Brigade. This brigade, by the proficiency of its .drill, its exact
discipline and general proficiency, had become conspicuous and universally
esteemed second to no other in its distinguished corps. On the 27th of Sep-
tember every indication presaged the renewal of active duty. Rations for two
days were ordered to be prepared. An unusual earnestness and activity were
manifested by the generals and their staffs. The next night the tattoo, sug-
gestive of repose, had scarcely sounded when the brigade vvas ordered to move
promptly and in profound silence, leaving their tents standing. Previous to
breaking camp the One Hundred and Eighteenth and the Tenth New Hamp-
shire had by especial order exchanged their Enfield guns for the Spencer re-
peating rifle, a tremendous weapon in the hands of resolute and expert marks-
men, This selection by the corps commander was a distinguished recognition
of the efficiency of the preferred regiment. At 3 o'clock on the morning of
the 29th the division led by the Second Brigade was passing over the James
upon a pontoon bridge, which had been completed the same hour. The sound
236 History of Essex County.
of the movement was suppressed by earth or other substances strewn upon
the bridge. On reaching the north bank of the river, the One Hundred and
Eighteenth and Tenth New Hampshire were thrown out as skirmishers and
flankers, while the remainder of the command was advanced along the road in
column. Soon after daybreak a brisk fire was opened by the enemy's pickets
which fell back on their reserves, and the whole were forced rapidly back
through a dense wood, for the distance of more than two miles when the Union
column entered upon open ground. A strong earthwork was now revealed in
front, and mounted with heavy guns. This formidable work was Fort, or rather.
Battery Harrison, and General Stannard instantly ordered Burnham to take it
it by assault. The Ninety-sixth and Eighth Connecticut forming the storming
column were supported by the First and Third Brigade of the division with
the One Hundred and Eighteenth New York and Twelfth New Hampshire as
skirmishers on their flanks. The column rushed impetuously forward along
the open space, met by a furious plunging fire from the enemy's lines. When
it reached, after this rapid advance along the distance of nearly three-fourths
of a mile, the base of the eminence upon which the works were erected, the
column, breathless and exhausted, paused in a position comparatively protect-
ed. As we have already seen, the enemy was hastening re-enforcements to
the point of attack, and the commander, both of the division and brigade, sent
a member of his staff to order an instant assault. Lieutenant George F. Camp-
bell, Company C, One Hundred and Eighteenth, aid to General Burnham,
dashed across the plains exposed to the whole range of the enemy's fire and
unhurt communicated the order In a strong tribute of the official address
this was pronounced a most gallant act. The two regiments impetuously
scaled the hill, mounted the parapet, and their gallant color-bearers planted
simultaneously their flags upon the works. The enemy precipitately aban-
doned the lines, falling back to other works, Avhile their own guns were turned
upon them with deadly effect. In the act of turning one of these guns upon
the fugitives. General Burnham was mortally wounded and died in a few min-
utes after.
While these events were in progress in the center, the skirmishing support
had approached the fort, and used their terrible rifles in picking off the gun-
ners in the works and demoralizing the defense. Lieutenant Colonel Nichols
with the One Hundred and Eighteenth, after being distinguished " for his cool
conduct of the skirmish lines in the general assault, captured two redoubts on
the right of the fort, during the main assault. Lieutenants N. J. Gibbs and H.
J. Adams were the first men in the redoubts, and promptly turned the cap-
tured guns upon the retreating enemy. Surgeon F. G. Porteous, of the One
Hundred and Eighteenth, was officially noticed with strong recommendations
for bravery and attention to duties, being the only surgeon in the brigade ad-
vancing with his regiment in the charging column." 1 The Second Brigade
1 From General Butler's address to the Army of the James.
Essex County in the Rebellion. 237
now moved upon two entrenchments in front, and captured them successfully,
driving the enemy back upon their third and last defense on this line of works.
Fort Harrison had thus been snatched from the jaws of the Confederate army,
which lay in great force immediately contiguous and was too important a po-
sition to be relinquished without a desperate struggle. The last line captured
by the Union troops was exposed to the fire of the enemy's gun-boats and to
assault, and it was deemed expedient to fall back upon Fort Harrison. The
enemy vigorously pursued and in the movement both Colonel Donohue and
Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols were severely wounded. The night and the suc-
ceeding morning were assiduously employed in extending and strengthening
the works, which now acquired the form and strength of an enclosed fortifica-
tion. A second and third time the onset was repeated and met in the same
courageous spirit, and with similar results. On the last assault, those of the
assailants who survived the withering fire of the Federal troops, threw down
their arms and surrendered. About noon the next day rebel troops had been
massed in three heavy columns and covered by two batteries, rushed upon the
new Federal lines with heroic impetuosity. The One Hundred and Eighteenth
and Tenth New Hampshire were stationed at salient points in the works, and
the fatal power of their new weapons was frightfully demonstrated upon the
Confederate ranks. Gun-boats were constantly but with trifling effect shell-
ing the Union position. This formidable assault was repulsed by musketry
alone, and the rebels falling back to cover, abandoned their numerous dead
and wounded upon the field.
In the critical period between the two first assaults a gallant act occurred
that reflected the highest credit upon the bravery and zeal of Captain Brydon,
of the One Hundred and Eighteenth, for which he received the brevet of ma-
jor. Twenty-two pieces of cannon, several battle flags and numerous prison-
ers were among the results of this enterprise which secured to the Union army
an important position that was never relinquished. The Confederate loss was
known to be very large. Clingman's North CaroHna Brigade was almost an-
nihilated. The Federal loss amounted to nearly one-fifth of their combatants
engaged. Besides Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, Captain Dobie and Lieutenant
Treadway of the One Hundred and Eighteenth were wounded.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth moved with its division from the quar-
ters near Fort Burnham, where it had remained since the capture of that work,
on the 26th of October, to a position within about three miles of Fort Rich-
mond, erected on the former battle-ground of Fair Oaks. The regiment at
that time was composed of two hundred aud five men for duty, including su-
pernumeraries. At dawn the succeeding morning it advanced. That part of
the regiment embracing more than half which was armed with Spencer rifles
was thrown in front as skirmishers, and the remainder held in reserve. Pass-
ing a covert of woods, the skirmishers entered upon a cleared field which ex-
238 History of Essex County.
tended to the fort a distance of about one-fourth of a mile. Over this space
they made a rush upon the work, in the face of a terrible fire, and succeeded in
approaching it within about one hundred yards. The enemy's lines at this
moment were only slightly manned, but the entrenchment was heavy and for-
midable, and wholly unassailable by the feeble skirmishing force. Major Dom-
iny, an officer conspicuous for his fighting qualities, commanded the regiment,
and at this time passed an order for the troops to lie down, seeking any cover
that presented itself, for protection against the irresistible tempest of shot that
was hurled upon them. Soon after they were directed to fall back singly to
an excavation on a road in the rear. The regiment made no further advance,
but after the repulse of the assaulting column mentioned in the notice of the
Ninety-sixth Regiment, retreated to its former encampment.
The losses of the regiment were greater in proportion to its strength than
on any previous occasion. The skirmishing party entered into action with
nine officers ; three of these. Major Dominy, Lieutenants McLean and Gibbs
returned in safety, but Captain J. R. Seaman of Cornpany A was seriously
wounded. Lieutenant M. J. Dickinson was wounded and taken prisoner
with Lieutenants Saunders, Potter, O'Connor and Bryant. Captain M. V.
B. Stetson in the reserve was also wounded while aiding to remove Colonel
Moffitt of the Ninety-fifth from the field. When the reginient reached its for-
mer quarters scarcely forty men had gathered to its standard, but others re-
turned until the aggregate was increased to nearly one-half the number who
had marched out the day preceding. The One Hundred and Eighteenth re-
mained in camp through the winter and on the march upon Richmond the
ensuing spring its relics were engaged on picket duty and advanced as skir-
mishers, covering the third division of the twenty-fourth corps. It was the
first organized Federal regiment that entered Richmond. The One Hundred
and Eighteenth bore the noble inscription upon its national flag : " Suffolk —
South Anna — Coal Harbor — Fort Harrison — Bermuda — Swift Creek —
Petersburg — Fair Oaks — Drury's Bluff — Crater — Richmond." This at-
tests its military glory, but its high qualities are still more illustrated by the
remarkable fact that not a single member of the regiment was known to have
deserted to the enemy. In more authoritative language than I can use. Gen-
eral Devens, in recapitulating its services pronounces this eulogium upon the
One Hundred and Eighteenth at Drury's Bluff: "This regiment distinguished
itself for great valor and pertinacity, and won the reputation it has since en-
joyed of being one of the most resolute regiments in the service." He adds:
" With this weapon (the Spencer rifle) they will return to your State armed,
and it is a most appropriate testimonial of their efficiency." I have been
guided essentially in the brief survey of the operations of the One Hundred
and Eighteenth by official documents.
Officers of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, when mustered
Essex County in the Rebellion. 239
out of service, June 13th, 1845 ■ — Col. George F. Nichols, brevet-general U.
S. V. ; Lieutenant- Colonel Levy S. Dominy, brevet colonel N. Y. V. ; Major
John L. Cunningham, brevet lieutenant-colonel U. S. V. ; Surgeon William
O. Mansfield ; Assistant Surgeon J. C. Preston ; Chaplain Charles L. Hagar ;
Adjutant Clifford Hubbard ; Quartermaster Henry J. Northrup, brevet cap-
tain N. Y. V.
Company A. — Captain Joseph R. Seaman, brevet major U. S. V. ; First
Lieutenant J. W. Treadway, brevet captain N. Y. V. from Company E.
Company B. — Captain George F. Campbell, brevet major N. Y. V. from
Company C ; First Lieutenant Jas. A Garret, brevet captain N. Y. V. from
Company A ; Second Lieutenant Merril Perry, brevet captain N. Y. V. from
Company A.
Company C. — Captain C. W. Wells, brevet major N. Y. V. from Company
K ; First Lieutenant L. S. Bryant ; Second Lieutenant N. H. Arnold, from
Company E.
Company D. — Captain John W. Angell, from Company E; Second Lieuten-
ant Phillip V. N. McLean, from Company K.
Company E. — Captain Henry S. Graves from Company I ; First Lieu-
tenant George H. Potter from Company A ; Second Lieutenant William T.
Bidwell, late hospital steward.
Company F. — Captain Robert W. Livingston, brevet major N. Y. V. ;
First Lieutenant Daniel O'Connor, assistant hospital steward ; Second Lieu-
tenant Charles A. Grace from Company A.
Company G. — First Lieutenant James H. Pitt from Company H.
Company H. — Captain David F. Dobie, brevet major N. Y. V. ; First
Lieutenant F. Saunders.
Company I. — Captain Martin V. B. Stetson, major N. Y. V. ; First Lieu-
tenant Nelson J. Gibbs, brevet captain N. Y. V. from Company F.
Company K. — Captain John Brydon, brevet major N. Y. V. ; First Lieu-
tenant John W. Calkins from Company K; Second Lieutenant Geo. Vaughan
from Company I.
Officers connected with Essex county troop? who resigned or were dis-
charged : — Samuel T. Richards, colonel, July 8th, 1863 ; Colonel Oliver Keese,
jr., resigned September 14th, 1864; Captain James H. Pierce, discharged Feb-
ruary 9th, 1865 ; First Lieutenant Nathan S. Washburn, discharged February
14th, 1863; Second Lieutenant George M. Butrick, discharged February 14th,
1863; Jacob Parmerter, discharged November 15 th, 1864; First Lieutenant
John S. Boynton, resigned March I2th, 1864; First Lieutenant Sam Sher-
man, discharged October 19th, 1864; Second Lieutenant Henry M. Mould,
resigned August ist, 1863.
Brevet commissions issued by the governor to enlisted men of this regi-
ment : — Sergeant Cass C. LaPoint, second lieutenant ; Sergeant Major Ash-
240 History of Essex County.
ley S. Prime, second lieutenant. Sergeant Joseph A. Hastings, second lieu-
tenant ; Sergeant Freeman D. Lindsay, second lieutenant.
Enlisted men of this regiment to whom medals of honor have been awarded
by the secretary of war. — Private Franklin Jandro.
The One Hundred and Fifty -third Regiment New York Volunteers. — This
regiment was recruited from various sections of the State, and mustered into
service October, 1862. Thomas Armstrong, of Clinton county, received the
appointment of lieutenant-colonel at its organization, and resigned February,
1863. A large part of a company which was attached to the One Hundred
and Fifty-third as Company I, was enrolled by John F. McGuire, of Keese-
ville, from Clinton and Essex counties, and in it he was appointed second lieu-
tenant. By the successive resignations of the superior officers he was pro-
moted in December, 1863, to the command of the company. The regiment
immediately after its organization was ordered to Alexandria, and subsequently
at Washington was employed in provost duty. Company I was especially
detached in that service. Early in 1864 the One Hundred and Fifty-third
was transferred to Louisiana and incorporated with the Nineteenth Army
Corps. It was engaged in the Red river expedition and participated in all
the hardships and disasters of that campaign. When the Union forces, after
the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, fell back, Company I was the rear
company in the retreat of the army. The Nineteenth Corps sailed from
New Orleans on the third of July, with sealed orders ; but its destination
proved to be the Chesapeake. The One Hundred and Fifty-third and four
companies belonging to other regiments, the advance of the corps on their ar-
rival at Fortress Monroe, were instantly ordered, without disembarking, to the
defense of Washington, then menaced by Early's incursion. The troops were
hastened through the city amid the deep excitement and alarm of the people,
to a position at Fort Stevens where they went into immediate action. After
the repulse of the rebels, the One Hundred and Fifty- third joined in the pur-
suit across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley, but was suddenly recalled
to the vicinity of the capital to oppose another apprehended advance of the
enemy. The regiment was soon after engaged in the battle of Winchester,
and Company I here sustained some slight casualties. It participated in the
engagement at Fisher's Hill and in the pursuit of the Confederates from that
field.
The Nineteenth Corps was at Cedar Creek and suffered heavy losses inci-
dent to the surprise and early catastrophies of that eventful day. The One
Hundred and Fifty-third formed part of the picket line that enveloped Wash-
ington after the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, and discharged guard duty at
the arsenal on the military trials that succeeded. In June, 1865, the regiment
was ordered to Savannah, where it performed provost duty until its discharge.
Captain McGuire, of Company I, brevet-major, N. Y. V., during that service
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 241
acted as acting provost-marshal of the city. In the succeeding October the
One Hundred and Fifty-third disbanded at Albany.
Brevet commissions issued to enlisted men of this regiment : Sergeant
James C. Bullock, second lieutenant ; private Melchoir H. Hoffnagle, second
lieutenant.
The Second New York Cavalry. — The last organized company in Essex
county was enrolled in Ticonderoga in the summer of 1864, of which William
H. Sanger was appointed captain, James McCormick, first, and George B.
Coates, second lieutenant, each on the 8th of September, 1864. They had
both belonged to the Thirty-fourth New York Volunteers. It was attached to
the Second New York Cavalry as Company E, with the army of Sheridan, and
performed excellent service in the Shenandoah Valley, attended him in the
perilous march to the James, and was engaged with his command in the bat-
tle that preceded the surrender of Lee. This regiment was ultimately asso-
ciated with the Fifth in the achievements of the Shenandoah campaign. Lieu-
tenants McCormick and Coates were both wounded, the former very seriously
at the battle of Cedar Creek. Lieutenant McCormick was discharged May 1st,
1865. Coates was promoted to first lieutenant but not mustered in as such,
and remained with the regiment until it was disbanded June Sth, 1865. Cap-
tain Sanger was made brevet-major New York State Volunteers and discharged
May I Sth, 1865.
Medals of honor were awarded to the following enlisted men : Frank Miller,
J. S. Calkins.
List of brevet commissions, second lieutenant, issued to enlisted men : pri-
vates John J. Morse, Burnet Galloway, Sergeant Fred A. M. Ball.
CHAPTER XX.
LAND PATENTS, TITLES, ETC.
Early Divisions of the Public Domain — Claims of Different Nations to the Territory of New York
— Conditions of British Grants to Retired Officers and Soldiers — Loans of Lands by Original Grantees
— Land Patents in the County — Difficulties of Map Making, etc.i
THE subject of the early divisions, titles and claims relative to the public
domain is one of especial value. The right of the Crown of Great Brit-
ain to sovereignty over the territory of the Iroquois was set forth in a memo-
IThis chapter was prepared by Homer D. L. Sweet, of Syracuse, a gentleman of vast experience
as a surveyor in Essex county and elsewhere, and fully conversant with the records in the Surveyor-
general's office. While he has availed himself of considerable of the information contained in Mr.
Watson's work, he has revised it, added largely to it and given references in all cases to book and
page where records of the various patents may be found, with road patents, tracts, explanatory obser-
vations, etc. 16
242 History of Essex County.
rial prepared by the commissioners of trade and plantations in 1697. This
memorial recites that the Five Nations had " by many acknowledgments,
submissions, leagues, and agreements, been united to or depended upon that
colony" [New York], that they, "being the most warlike in that part of the
world, held all their neighboring Indians in a manner of tributary subjection ; "
that in prospect of an invasion of their territory in 1684, by De la Barre, gov-
ernor of Canada, Governor Dongan, of New York, warned that French officer,
" that those Indians are the king of England's subjects, and also sent the then
Duke of York's (to whom the province had been granted by the Crown) arms
to be set up in every one of the Indian castles, as far as Oneygra [Niagara],
which was accordingly done, and Monsieur de la Barre retired."
In a report on the province of New York, made in 1774, Governor Tryon
said: "The boundaries of the province of New York are derived from two
sources — first, the grants from King Charles the Second to his brother James,
Duke of York. . . Secondly from the submission and subjection of the
Five Nations to the Crown of England. . . ." It is uncertain to this day
to what extent the Five Nations carried their claim to the westward and north-
ward, but there is no doubt as has been before stated that it extended to the
north beyond the 4Sth degree of latitude, and westward to Lake Huron, their
beaver-hunting country being bounded on the west by that lake ; which country
the Five Nations by treaty with the governor of this province, surrendered to
the Crown, " to be protected and defended for them."
Such was the foundation of the English claim to sovereignty over the terri-
tory of the Iroquois — a claim which we have seen they were able to sustain.
The Indians never recognized this claim in the broad sense above expressed,
while the French scoffed at it. With the change of sovereignty wrought by
the Revolutionary War, the three governments, France, England and the Amer-
icans, had claimed and to a greater or less extent exercised the right to grant
patents to the lands in the State of New York.
The granting by the French and later by the English of patents along
Lake Champlain we have already alluded to ; the latter were made under royal
proclamation of October, 1763, to reduced officers and soldiers who had served
in the regular army in the Canadian campaigns. The grants were made and
in many cases located by the grantees themselves ; in others they were sold,
but generally located in the name of the original grantees, though not always.
The proportionate extent of the grants was 5,000 acres to a field officer; 3,000
to a captain ; 2,000 to a subaltern staff officer ; 200 to a non-commissioned
officer and fifty to a private. " All mines of gold and silver, and all pine trees
fit for masts of the growth of twenty-four inches diameter and upwards at
twelve inches from the earth," were reserved to the crown. The grants were
held for ten years "in free and common socage exempt from all quit- rents,
and after the expiration of that term, rendering and paying in the custom house
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 243
in New York, on Lady day, the yearly rent of two shillings and sixpence ster-
ling, for each and every hundred acres of the granted land." Other conditions
made were the settlement on the granted lands " of as many families on the
tract as shall amount to one family on every thousand acres thereof," and the
cultivation of " at least three acres for everj' fifty acres susceptible of cultiva-
tion ; " both of which conditions were to be fulfilled within three years from
the date of grant. Neglect to do so forfeited the grant. It will readily be
presumed, and correctly, that many of the grants lapsed through failure to fulfill
the conditions, as well as from other causes.
A large proportion of these soldiers' grants were located on the eastern
shore of Lake Champlain, in' the present State of Vermont; a small part only
of the area of Essex county being included in them. " In the confusion of the
agitated period that preceded the Revolution," says Mr. Watson, " numerous
cases of these petitions [for grants] remained in an inchoate condition ; and in
others, although the proceedings had been regular and ample, were not con-
summated by the colonial government." In most of these instances the suc-
ceeding State government refused to ratify the proceedings of the claimants,
and large estates, as we have seen illustrated in the notice of Gilliland, were
lost. The State constitution of 1777, by a provision which has been incorpo-
rated in the constitutions of 1821 and 1847, abrogated all royal grants after
October 14th, 1775.
Since the Revolution large tracts of unappropriated lands in Essex county
and elsewhere have been'^atented to individuals and the remainder was early
laid out into tracts an"d townships, then into lots, and sold to purchasers. The
proceeds of the sales were devoted to the advancement of the cause of educa-
tion in the State. Considerable land in this county is still in the possession of
the State.
PATENTS.
Adgate. — Mathew Adgate was granted five patents in the north part of
Chesterfield, and lying near if not contiguous. The first was for 3,600 acres,
February 22d, 1789, Volume XXI, page 87 ; the second for 200 acres, 29th of
January, 1791, Volume XXIII, page 23 ; the third for 1,436 acres, November
22d, 1792, Volume XXIII, page 291 ; the fourth fo^r^'oo acres, November 22d,
1792, Volume XXIII, page 292; the fifth for 2,113, February 20th, 1793,
Volume XXIII, page 391.
Benzel. — Adolphus Benzel was a prominent early official in the county and
a wealthy resident of Crown Point. He seems to have acted largely as sur-
veyor in locating the ancient patents. He was conspicuous in the New Hamp-
shire grant controversies, and necessarily highly obnoxious to the settlers there.
The reply of the Bennington committee to Governor Tryon, in reference to
Colonel Reid's action, speaks of " the vicious and haughty aid of Mr. Benzel,
the famed engineer." He was among the reduced officers in the royal procla-
244 History of Essex County.
mation. Southier lays down two patents in his name, one in Moriah between
Small's and Legg's ; the other in Crown Point adjoining south of the garrison
grounds. The former is known as Springer Patent of 3,000 acres, and the lat-
ter as Benzel's of 1,000 acres. We conjecture that the former may have been
applied for by Benzel, but subsequently issued to Springer and others.
Benson. — Richard Benson and a number of other privates reduced from
the Eightieth, Sixtieth, and Forty- fourth Regiments, received a patent for 550
acres October 29th, 1765, which was located in the present town of Willsborough
north of Wreisburg and west of the Montressor Patent. It appears that the
Benson and also the Montressor Patent were occupied only by squatters until
1 8 19. In that year both were purchased by Seth Hunt, of Keene, N. H. The
validity of the original patent and his title were soon after established and his
rights judiciously enforced. Many individuals who had been innocent pur-
chasers under the spurious titles to these patents, were severe sufferers by this
adjudication. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 11.
Bossboroiigh. — This patent was granted to William Gilliland, on the 14th
of August, 1784. It began at the lake, at the south bounds of Skeene's 2,400
acre patent, and then ran west, south, west, south and east, to the lake, and then
to the place of beginning, containing 2,415 acres. — Patents, Volume XX,
page 334-
Campbell, Allen — A reduced field officer is thus described : "Having
served in N. A. during the late war, in Second Battalion of our Royal High-
land Regiment of Foot." Campbell united in a petition with Lieutenant John
Kennedy, praying for a grant of 7,000 acres. The boundaries indicated " ex-
tending from the first mountain west of the carrying place at the foot of Lake
George," along said mountain to where it touches Lake Champlain near Crown
Point, and thence to the mouth of the outlet from Lake George. Kennedy's grant
embraces a portion of this highly desirable territory, but Campbell's was locat-
ed elsewhere. His patent for 5,000 acres, dated July i ith, 1764, was laid out
in Crown Point, on the lake shore : Benzel and Legg on the north, and Grant
on the south. — Military Patents, Volume I, page i.
Campbell, D'onald. — The petition of Donald Campbell, December 17th,
1763, describes him as late lieutenant in the Royal American Regiment, and
claims two thousand acres. The land his petition indicated was nearly ident-
ical with the last. Another petition, February i8th, 1773, of Quartermaster
Donald Campbell, asks for two thousand acres on the south-west side of Lake
George, near the garrison grounds. On November ist, 1784, Donald
Campbell filed a petition for a confirmatory grant of a tract of land surveyed
for him in 1764, pursuant to the royal proclamation. No action appears upon
record on this petition, but on the 25th of May, 1786, the return was filed of
a survey of two thousand acres north of N. Sutherland's tract to Donald
Campbell, for which he paid, on the following 28th of June, one hundred
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 245
pounds. A tract is laid down on the map under this designation between
Grant's on the north and Sutherland's on the south.
Connelly. — John Connelly presented a petition for a grant as surgeon's mate
and belonging to a military hospital. A patent was issued April 13th, 1765,
for two thousand acres. It lies in Willsborough and Essex, and is one of the
grants located by William Gilliland. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 31.
Deall. — Samuel Deall, a merchant of wealth in the city of New York,
embarked in heavy land operations in the present county of Essex in 1767,
and purchased about that time a tract of five thousand acres between Lakes
George and Champlain. He received July I2th, 1769, a grant for one thou-
sand acres, which was located by him in Ticonderoga and west of the village
of Lower Falls. (See history of Ticonderoga.) Another tract, adjoining the
above, is called and designated on the county map as Deall's Patent. — Patents,
Vol. XIV, page 405.
Douglass. — A patent was granted to Asa Douglass, jr., on the 23d of Feb- •
ruary, 1789, for nine hundred acres, lying next south of Mathew Adgate, in
the town of Chesterfield. — Patents, No\. XXI, page 158. The beginning of
the survey was at the northwest corner of a tract of three thousand acres
granted to Mathew Adgate, and 21611,^ chains from the lake, nearly opposite
of the south end of Schuyler's Island, 97.04 chains square, and almost sur-
rounded by Adgate's Patents.
Field. — John Field was a surgeon's mate and applied by petition April
14th, 1764, for a grant of two thousand acres in pursuance of proclamation.
The patent was issued April isth, 1765, and the land surveyed on the south
side of the Boquet by Gilliland as assignee of Field immediately after. — Mili-
tary Patents, Vol. I, page 36.
Franklin. — Joseph Franklin, late sergeant in the Twenty- seventh Regiment,
united with Sergeant Benjamin Porter in a petition July 9th, 1764, praying
for a grant to each of two hundred acres, described as "bearing west north-
west thirty-nine chains from the salient angle of the king's bastion, fronting the
lake half a mile, and then west north-westerly, until it completes the said num-
ber of acres." Mr. Benzel, the engineer, made a note of the survey. The
patent to Franklin issued July, 1765, was laid out in conformity with the
petition between the Porter and McKensie's tracts, and embraced Cedar Point
at Port Henry. On the Sth of March, 1792, Franklin conveyed his title to
James Graham, and April iSth, 1792, Graham devised it to his daughter, Ann
Eliza. Graham was a fur trader, and the mother of his chid was a half-breed.
The daughter, in 1802, executed a will in New York, devising the property to
St. Peter's (Catholic) Church of that city, in trust for the school of the church.
The church conveyed it to J. B. Spencer under this will, whose title was judi-
cially sustained. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page no.
Friswell. — John Friswell applied, as late lieutenant in the navy and having
246 History of Essex County.
acted as midshipman on board the Princess Amelia, at the siege of Louisburg
and Quebec, February 15 th, 1765, for a grant of three thousand acres of land
on the west side of Lake Champlain. On the May following a return of a sur-
vey was filed of two tracts, containing two thousand acres; one in Plattsburg,
and the other of one thousand acres nearly west of "Splittenrock," and lying
upon the lake. This is one of Gilliland's locations. — Military Patents, Vol. I,
page 48.
Freligh. — A certificate of location of six hundred acres of land to George
Freligh, on the west side of Lake Champlain, appears in Long Island Papers,
XLVI, 41, February 3d, 1789, and a patent in Willsborough and Essex
bears this name. Patent granted February 5th, 1789. — Patents, \o\.l^X\,
page 63.
Gilliland. — A Gilliland patent is laid down on Southicr, west of Benson's
grant in Willsborough. James, a brother of William Gilliland, about 1767,
settled upon a lot on the north bank of the Boquet.
"William Gilliland and Matthew Watson." — Their tract, which appears
on the large county map, contained two hundred acres, and began, according
to the certificate of location, seven chains north of the south-west corner of
James Judd's patent, June 22d, 1789, and was surveyed under a title from the
State. Patent granted August 8th, 1789. — Patents, Vol. XXI, page 263.
Grant. — Robert Grant is described in a patent for three thousand acres
4ssued August 7th, 1764, as late captain in the Seventy-seventh Regiment. He
was promoted to major and killed at the battle of Hubbardton, July 7th, 1777.
A return of survey with map of location in the town of Crown Point was filed
in the colonial office, August 3d, 1764, Land Papers, XVIII, 8. About twenty
years after the death of Grant a spurious agent appeared in the city of New
York, and pretending to hold authority from him, deeded the patent as such,
with an agreement that the grantee and agent should participate in the avails.
The sisters of Major Grant, more than half a century after his decease, insti-
tuted proceedings as heirs at law for the recovery of the patent. Under a
commission issued in the suit and sent to Scotland in the year 1 830, among
other witnesses examined was Lieutenant- General Thomas Scott, then eighty-
four years old, who swore that he saw the dead body of Grant on the battle-
field at Hubbardton and witnessed its interment at that place with military
honors and that he brought back to Scotland relics of Grant which he delivered
to the brother of Grant. The claimants necessarily recovered the premises.
This patent embraces a large portion of the most valuable part of the town of
Crown Point. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 5.
Guise. — William Guise and three other non-commissioned officers in
the Fifty-fifth Regiment of Foot received a grant of 800 acres, January 5th,
1773. On the county map this grant is placed on the east side of Schroon
lake near the county line. By the survey and map for Guise and his associ-
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 247
ates,. the location of the patent was on the northeast branch of the Hudson.
There is a difficulty in locating this patent. — Military Patents, No. II, p. 449.
Hasenclever. — Peter Hasenclever and- others petitioned June 30th, 1766,
for a grant of 15,000 acres, on the east side (?) of Lake Champlain, and pray-
ing a survey of Franklin, Porter and McKenzie's Patent [in Moriah] so as to
admit a passage to the lake and land for store house. On Southier's map the
patent is laid down north of Small, but it does not appear on the county map,
and the present iron ore bed tract is bounded by Small's patent on the south.
This grant was probably confiscated, if ever actually consummated.
Hicks. — John Hicks is described as "gentleman, a reduced staff officer,"
and " surgeon in one of our independent companies of foot," patent April i Sth,
1765, for 3,000 acres, lies in Essex and was located by Gilliland. — Military
Patents, Vol. I, p, 34.
Hoffman Township. — This tract was granted to Egbert Benson, Mary
Hoffman, and Theodorus Bailey, as executors of Anthony Hoffman, Amaziah
Cooper, Martin Vosburgh, Thomas Lewis, and John Van Benthuysen, as a part
of the Totten and Crossfield Purchase. It was to be divided into five equal
shares. It lies on the west of the Road Patent, partly in Essex and partly in
Warren counties. It contained 25,200 acres. Patent granted May 15th,
1775. — Patents, Vol. XVIII, p. 62, etc.
Judd. — James Judd, described as "gentleman, reduced officer and sur-
geon's mate in our military hospital." Patent issued April 15th, 1765, for
2,000 acres, with boundaries " beginning at Cloven or Splitten Rock, etc."
Lies in the town of Essex. — Military Patents, Volume I, p. 35.
Kellett. — Roger Kellett, " gentleman, a reduced subaltern officer," late lieu-
tenant in Forty-fourth Regiment. The grant was surveyed August 2d, and
patent granted August 7th, 1764, for 2,000 acres. This patent, situated in
-Ticonderoga with those of Stoughton and Kennedy, was selected with great
judgment by officers familiar with the beauty and value of the territory. —
Military Patents, Vol. I, p. 4.
Kelly. — John De Lancy and John Kelly obtained a patent for 7,000 acres
on the I Sth of July, 1786. The description of the tract begins at the "Bay
de Roches Fendee," and lies in a north-west course from the village of West-
port. — Patents, Vol. XIX, p. 291.
Kennedy. — John Kennedy, "gentleman, reduced subaltern officer," lieu,
tenant in the Sixtieth Regiment. Patent granted August 7th, 1 764, for 2,000
acres. It lies in Ticonderoga and extends from the Lower Falls along the north
side of the stream to the fort ground, thence across to Lake Champlain and
down its shore, and sweeping into the interior included a large part of the val-
uable plateau in the north section of the town. At the death of the grantee
the property passed to his " oldest brother, Henry Kennedy, surgeon,'' who
sold it September 26th, 1765, for one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, to
248 History of Essex County.
Abraham P. Lott and Peter Theobaldus Curtenius, " merchants of the city of
New York," and they sold it December i6th, 1767, for one hundred and eighty
pounds, lawful currency to Samuel Deall, " merchant, etc." Patent became
Deall's on the map. — Military Patents, Vol. I, p. 3.
Legge. — The singular incidents connected with the history of this patent
(says Mr. Watson) have attached peculiar interest to it, and no portion of Essex
county has been the subject of more bitter and protracted litigation. Francis
Legge, who I infer belonged to the family of the Earl of Dartmouth, was a
captain in the Forty-sixth Regiment. Under the royal proclamation he re-
ceived a concession on June 26th, 1769, of 5,000 acres which had been locat d
in the present towns of Moriah and Crown Point by a survey returned the 6th
of April preceding. The early action of Legge in reference to his grant is
enveloped in obscurity. A mandamus was issued by the king in council Sep-
tember 5th, 1765, for 5,000 acres to be surveyed to Francis Legge, captain of
the Twenty- sixth, in one continuous tract on the province of New York. On
the 3d of November, 1766, Captain Francis Legge presented " a petition for
5,000 acres of land on the west side of Connecticut river, with specific bounda-
ries. He made a similar application for 5,000 acres in the township of Nor-
wich in a wholly different section from the preceding. The identity of the
name and the quantity of land solicited seem to warrant the conclusion that
the several applications if made by one individual, rested upon the same claim ;
but it is difificult to determine why all should have been advanced. In 1 809
a William Legge, assuming to be the heir of Francis, conveyed or pretended
to convey this patent to one Winter, who afterwards deeded it to Shaw. One
of them caused the tract to be subdivided into lots, and sold a portion of these
to settlers. Subsequently Shaw brought ejectments against occupants who
refused to admit his title. Another claim known as the James Brown title was
founded upon a deed dated in the year 1818, and purporting to have been ex-
ecuted by John Legge in Ireland, who also claimed to be heir of Francis, to
two persons, mother and son, by the name of Sinclair. They conveyed to
James Brown, who also brought ejectments.
In 1 83 1 suits were brought against some of the occupants upon a claim
sometimes called the " Cape Ann title." It was asserted that in the year 1770
Francis Legge, while at Ipswich, Mass., residing with a Dr. Manning, executed
a deed of the whole patent to one Rowe, then a child of four or five years.
One of these suits was against Brown and an occupant, was tried with a ver-
dict and judgment for the plaintiff, but this was reversed in the Court of Er-
rors. On the trial of this suit proof was introduced by defendants tending to
show that Legge died and was buried in Troy, N. Y., in 1780. In i860 a
commission issuing out of the United States Circuit Court was executed in
London, by which the following series of facts were established from records
in the war office and those of the state paper office and the colonial office, the
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 249
registry of the Court of Probate, in Doctor's Commons, and by exhibits and
the examination of proper officials, that " Francis Legge was appointed lieuten-
ant in Thirty-fifth Foot in 1754, captain in Forty-sixth in 1756; that at this
time he was serving in America ; that he was major in i "jQ"] ; lieutenant in
Fiffy- fifth Foot in 1773, and appointed governor of Nova Scotia in August,
1783 ; that he was recalled, and his conduct as governor investigated in 1786;
that he was buried in the parish of Primer, Middlesex, England, on 2 2d of
May, 1783 ; that his will dated April i8th, 1769, was proved the May follow-
ing by his executors, the Earl of Dartmouth and William Baillie, Esq., and that
the Earl of Dartmouth, whom he styles in his will ' his much esteemed friend,'
was his principal legatee and devisee. Personal property was left by the will
to various relations. The record of his burial described him as Lieutenant-
Colonel Francis Legge, late governor of Nova Scotia."
Mallorys Grant. — Nathaniel Mallory, on March 25th, 1799, entered the
return of a survey of tract of land on west side of Lake Champlain containing
9,973 acres, situated in Jay, Keene and Wilmington. It was granted to Sim-
eon De Witt in trust for Mallory, October 21st, 1799. — Patents, Vol. XVIII,
page 248, etc.
Mathews. — This patent was granted October 30th, 1765, to James Ma-
thews and seven others, privates for 400 acres. It lies in Ticonderoga next to
Stanton. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 215.
Maule's. — This tract, comprising 42,969 acres, {Patents, Vol. XVIII, page
301), was patented to Thomas Maule, August 21st, 1800. Embracing large
sections of Chesterfield, Jay and Willsborough, it also occupies a portion of Ausa-
ble and Black Brook in Clinton. In March, 1803, Maule and wife conveyed
to five persons in trust about 20,000 acres of this patent in Chesterfield and
Jay. This trust was for the benefit of the Farmers' Society, a benevolent
organization, intended, as is now understood, to supply mechanics and others
in moderate circumstances with freehold farms ; but as the scheme proved a
failure, there is no object for tracing its history. The trustees executed a mort-
gage for fifty thousand dollars on the purchase. This mortgage came into the
hands of Edward Livingstone, who assigned it to his sister, the widow of General
Montgomery ; and the surviving trustees conveyed or released the property
to her. She devised it to Edward Livingstone, and on his death he devised
it to his wife. By these various owners parcels were conveyed to various
settlers.
McCormic's patent lies next west of Kelly's and Jonas Morgan's lies next
west of that. These and several other small tracts were patented to individ-
uals, and on old maps have these names, but we have failed to find the records
of them. The patents usually took the name of the person whose name was
first on the petition, or the first on the patent, but it was not always the case,
as in the instance of De Lancy and Kelly.
2SO History of Essex County.
Mcintosh. — Alexander Mcintosh, late captain of the Seventy-seventh Reg-
iment, August 3d, 1764, filed the return of a survey of three thousand acres
between Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Patent issued August 7th, 1764.
— Military Patents, Vol. I, page 7.
McBride. — Patent issued April 23d, 1765, to James McBride late sergeant
in Forty-seventh Foot, for two hundred' acres. Lies in Willsborough, and is
bounded south and west by the Boquet, and east by the lake. — Military Pat-
ents, Vol. I, page 39.
McKensie. •'-^Alexander McKensie, sergeant in the Fortieth Regiment,
received one patent for two tracts October 29th, 1765, one of a hundred and
fifty acres adjoining the Franklin patent, and another fifty acres called the
Grove. Both are situated in Moriah. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 204.
Miller. — Paul Miller, a corporal in Sixtieth Regiment of Foot, located a
patent dated October 29th, 1765, of 200 acres on the south side of Boquet,
north of Wriesburgh ; it lies in Willsborough. — Military Patents, Vol. I,
page 206.
Montressor. — Patent issued June 6th, 1765, to John Montressor, Francis
Mee and Robert Wallace for three thousand acres, "called Ligonier Point," as
also four small islands called "Les Isles des Quatre Vents," in the lake eastward
of Ligonier Point. This is the beautiful tract now known as Willsborough Point.
The original petition also asked for Schuyler's Island. Some doubt exists,
says Watson, in reference to the origin of the name Ligonier. He ventures to
refer it to Sir John Ligonier, who, about the date in which it must have been
applied, was commander-in-chief of the army in Great Britain. — Patents, Vol.
XIV, page 29.
Old Military Tract. — An act was passed May Sth, 1786, as a memorial
of public gratitude, to remunerate military service in the Revolution ; to the
purpose, a large territory known as the "Old Military Tract," lying north of
Jessup's purchase and beginning thirty miles from the north-east corner of
lands granted to Philip Skeene, July 6th, 1771, and extending twenty miles in
width and to the north bound of the State, a computed distance of sixty miles,
was run out into twelve large townships. Nos. 11 and 12 constitute St. Ar-
mandand North Elba; Nos. i and 2 were also embraced within the present
bounds of Essex county. These townships were sub-divided into lots, known
as the Thorne and Richard's surveys, and several patents.
Pliny Moore. — The Pliny Moore patent, containing 1 1,067 acres, lies next
to the Allen Campbell patent, at its northeast corner; it lies north of and west
of the Cockburn patent, in a very irregular form, taking the rough land, appar-
ently, after the valuable portion had already been patented. The patent was
granted October Sth, 1787. — Vol. XX, page 52.
Ord. — Lieutenant- Colonel Thomas Ord, Royal Regiment of Artillery, was
granted, December 23d, 1774, a patent of five thousand acres, part of lot 27 in
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 251
Totten and Crossfield's purchase. This patent lies in Newcomb. — Patents,
XVI, page 5-43.
Porter. — Benjamin Porter, late sergeant in the Twenty- seventh Regiment,
obtained a patent July 5th, 1765, for two hundred acres, next north of Frank-
lin. Port Henry is situated on this tract.: — Military Patents, Vol. I, 'page
109.
Potts. — This patent, issued in the name of William Potts, April 26th,
1755, for two thousand acres, located by William Gilliland. Essex village
stands on the line of Potts and Hicks patents. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page
42,
Ross. — Patent issued to James Ross, "late apothecary's mate in our mil-
itary hospital," for two thousand "acres, April i6th, 1765. The patent is
bounded on the Boquet. It was occupied in 1766 by two persons, Wilson and
Goodrich, who established an agency at Flat Rock Bay, which they ca:lled
Burton. The scheme was abandoned the February ensuing, and no further
occupation in Willsborough north of the Boquet occurred until 1790, except
pne slight improvement near the river. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 33.
Road Patents. — Zephaniah Piatt and Piatt Rodgers obtained a patent for
three tracts of land in compensation for building the road across the county of
Clinton. This was before Essex county was organized. The first tract prob-
ably covered lands that had escheated to the State, or were confiscated for
disloyalty. This tract began in what is now Warren county, several miles
south of Schroon Lake, embracing several thousand acres on the west side of
Schroon Lake, and just above the north end; it was contracted in width to
' simply take the level land and extended north to the head waters of the Hud-
son river. This tract embraced 9,866 and two thirds acres. The second tract
lies in Elizabethtown and Lewis, and contains 3,700 acres, in a very narrow
strip. The third tract lies in Jay, next to Mallory's grant, which was a part of
township No. 2 of the Old Military Tract. It contained 3,100 acres; patent
dated 4th December, 1794. — Patents, Vol. XVIII, page 52, etc.
Ryerss Grant. — In 1791 the State granted to one Vredenburgh a tract of
three thousand acres, the title of which became vested in Gozen Ryerss. On
the compromise with Massachusetts, this territory was embraced in the new
pre-emption line of that State. In compensation to Ryerss for this loss, New
York in 1800 patented to him a tract of eighteen hundred acres 17th Novem-
ber, 1 80 1. It lies in the center of Wilmington, and is known as Ryerss's
grant. — Patents, Vol. XVIII, page 350.
Stoughton. — A patent was issued to John Stoughton, late lieutenant in
New York Independent Company, July 2Sth, 1764, for two thousand acres
lying on both sides of the outlet of Lake George. (See history of Ticonderoga.)
Stoughton was drowned in Lake George, leaving a widow and only child.
This child became the wife of Governor Wolcott, of Connecticut, and the valuable
252 History of Essex County.
estate of Edward Ellice in this patent was derived from her by purchase. A
question was agitated for a period in reference to the legitimacy of this child,
but this has long since subsided, and the estate which had not been previously
sold passed by an indisputable title by Mr. Charles Wheeler, of Ticonderoga.
— Military Patents, Vol. I, page 2.
Skene. — Patents were granted to Major Philip Skene, July 6th, 1771, one
for two thousand four hundred acres, situated in the present town of Westport,
and embracing a part of the village of Westport, and the other for six hundred
acres, lying in Moriah and formerly referred to as the iron ore tract. {Military
Patents, Vol. II, page 400.) The property of Philip Skene was confiscated under
the attainder of Philip and Andrew Skene, and the patent in Moriah was sold
by the commissioners of forfeitures under -the act of 1786.
Small. — John Small, late captain in the Twenty-first Regiment, on April
5th, 1774, received a patent for five thousand acres. It lies in Moriah, and is
occupied by Moriah Center and part of the village of Moriah. Grants were also
issued to Small by the New York colonial governor, which were located in
Vermont. His name appears as plaintiff in a test suit brought in the New
York court, to establish the validity of these grants. — Patents, Vol. XVI, page
2,77-
Sutherland. — Patent issued to Nicholas Sutherland, late captain of the
Seventy- seventh Foot, August 7th, 1764, for three thousand acres. Lies in
Ticonderoga. — .Military Patents, Vol. I, page 6.
Springer or Sharp. — On the lOth, of November, 1766, John Springer, Eliza-
beth Springer and Ann ChadarinPartin, afterwards Sharp, filed a petition for three
thousand acres in the county of Albany, or on Otter creek. The basis of this claim
appears to have rested on rights vested in Adolphus Benzel and his associates.
Elizabeth Springer was a sister-in-law of Adolphus Benzel. A return of the
survey of three thousand acres, on the west side of Lake Champlain, is on
record April 6th, 1772. A warrant authorizing this survey had been issued
1st May, 1771. In April, 1785, the parties presented a petition to the new
government, "for land already ordered to be surveyed for them, between the
Legge and Small patents." On the loth of November following Zephaniah
Piatt filed a certificate of location of the same tract, praying for a grant of the
same. His claim seems to have been founded on the delinquency of the origi-
nal claimants, but after considerable controversy it was withdrawn March 13th,
1786, and 1st of May following the patent was granted to Elizabeth Springer
and Catharine Ann Sharp, for the consideration of 150 pounds paid the State.
It is situated in Moriah; three thousand acres, next west of Porter, and north
of Legge's. — Patents, XVIII, page 9, etc.
Soldiers Rights ; William Douglass, John McGinnis and John Harrison of
the Sixtieth Regiment, John Nowland of the Fifty-fifth Regiment and James
Richardson of the Forty-sixth Regiment, obtained a patent for i ,000 acres,
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 253
lying south of Ticonderoga ; " beginning at a tree standing on the bank of the
Lake George, at the north point of a piece of flat land; the southeast bastion
of Fort Ti., bearing from the tree north 40 degrees east." — Military Patents,
Vol. II, page 423, April ist, 1772.
Stevenson. — James Stevenson, December 7th, 1765, applied for a patent
in right of his father, James Stevenson, commissary of ordinance, etc., for 3,000
acres ; but it was not granted until the i ith of July, 1776. This patent lies in
Ticonderoga, and is usually called the Kirby patent.
Stewart. — A tract of fifty acres, granted May 2d, 1772, to James Stewart,
is situated on Lake George, in Ticonderoga, and south of Tomlin's patent. —
Military Patents, Vol. II, page 434.
Summersvale. — This tract of 15,120 acres, was surveyed in 1771, but a
patent to Goldsborow, Banyar and others was not granted until August 14th,
1786, called Cockburn tract on the county map. The tract lies in Crown Point
and Ticonderoga. — Patents, Vol. XVIII, page 29, etc. ,
Thorn. — A patent was granted to William Thorn for 1,400 acres, Febru-
ary Sth, 1789. It lies next west of Adgate's patent in Chesterfield. — Pa-
tents, Vol. XXI, page 62.
Totten & Crossfield. — " Experience had proved," says Mr. Watson, " that
transactions for the acquisition by private individuals of Indian lands were
fraught with infinite mischief and injustice. At an early period the instruc-
tions to the colonial governors, and at length, soon after the cession of Can-
ada, a peremptory proclamation of the king, prohibited every purchase of
the kind, and declared that all purchases of lands from the Indians should be
made by the crown. The same wise and benficent policy was engrafted in the
State constitution of 1777, and those which have succeeded.
"On the loth of April, 1771, Joseph Totten and Stephen Crossfield, ship-
wrights, residing in the city of New York, presented a petition to the council,
asking for a license to purchase from the Indians a tract of land lying on the west
side of the Hudson, and on the 7th of June following the license was granted.
In accordance with this privilege a treaty was held in July, 1772, at Johnson
Hall, with all the peculiar solemnities of such occasions and under the auspices
of Sir William Johnson, for the purpose of perfecting the contemplated purchase,
with the Mohawk and Caughnawauga Indians. The purchase was made for
the consideration of about ^1,1 35 New York currency, and a deed formally
executed for the tract, embracing about 800,000 acres and with boundaries
carefully designated by courses and landmarks, but singularly vague and ob-
scure. This interesting document is still preserved in the office of the Secre-
tary of State, among the land papers, Vol. XXXII, 45. A written agreement
of association was entered into March 27th, 1772, between 'the intended pro-
prietors of lands about to be purchased by Ebenezer Jessup in behalf of Tot-
ten and Crossfield and their associates,' and on January 14th following a fur-
2 54 History of Essex County.
ther agreement was executed and a ballot made of twenty-four of the town-
ships in the purchase. A catalogue of the lots drawn with the proprietors'
names annexed, is on file in the Secretary's office
" Ebenezer Jessup, a large operator in lands at that period, was with the
active agent in these arrangements, and purchased the tract for Totten and
Crossfield and their associates. This Indian deed conveyed no legal title, the
absolute fee in the land existing in the crown. It undoubtedly protected them
against intrusion and conferred rights probably analogous to the pre-emptive
rights existing at the present day. The government recognized these rights
and issued patents in subordination to them. Jessup advises Governor Colden,
December 27th, 1774, that he had agreed with certain individuals for Totten
and Crossfield to convey 10,000 acres to them in the purchase, and requested
that letters (patent should be granted in conformity with the agreement, which
was soon after done.
" The territory comprised in the Totten and Crossfield purchase lies in the
counties of Essex, Warren, Hamilton and Herkimer. The west and part of
the north lines were surveyed in 1772, with an outline of a portion of the town-
ship, each of which included about 20,000 acres. Slight vestiges of these sur-
veys may still be traced. The colonial government issued patents for a few-
townships previous to the Revolution, some of which I have mentioned, but
none of these extended to land in Essex county. Among these patents the
return of a survey of 20,000 acres for Sir Jeffrey Amherst appears among the
land papers under date of March 27th, 1774. Sufficient evidence exists upon
which to form an estimate of the market value at that period. Jessup executed,
December-sd, 1772, a receipt to Philip Livingstone for;£'2o6 and 8s., the pur-
chase money of two townships ; in July he gave another receipt to Thomas Lewis
for fifty- one pounds in payment of 3,000 acres, and on April 8th the same year
another to Christopher Duyckinck for ;^ 103 ' in full of 24,000 acres.' These are
preserved among the land papers. The action of the proprietors at a meeting,
January 14th, 1773, in reference to the construction of a road, indicates that
their measures for the improvement of their territory were active and judi-
cious.
" On the 2ist of April, 1775, and only a few months preceding the day es-
tablished by the constitution of 1777 from which all royal grants were abro-
gated, Dartmouth wrote to Tryon that the king would confirm by letters pat-
ent to Totten and Crossfield and their associates, ' their lands on humble ap-
plication,' and ' a disavowal of all association ' with the non-intercourse meas-
ures of the colonists. The two former, at least, probably yielded their adhe-
sion to the government. Tradition asserts that these estates were confiscated.
It is certain that a large portion of the purchase reverted to the State govern-
ment. The imaginary lines of all the townships were laid down on Southier's
map, although a part only had at that time been practically surveyed. In the
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 255
years 1785 and 1786 numerous petitions were presented to the State for grants
of large tracts in this territory, and many by the original proprietors, who thus
asked the confirmation of their former claims. These applications were gene-
rally conceded, the claimants usually paying the State a valuable consideration
for their grants."
■Tomlin. — Thomas Tomlin obtained a grant of 200 acres. May 2d, 1772,
located east side of Lake George and adjoining Stoughton. — Military Pat-
ents, Vol. II, page 433.
Wharton. — A patent was granted to John Wharton, Esq., late captain in
Sixtieth Regiment, April i6th, 1764, for 3,000 acres, which was located by
Gilliland in Essex. — Military Patents, Vol. I, page 32.
Wriesburg. — On the same day a patent was granted to Daniel Wriesburg,
late captain of Sixtieth Foot, and was located by Gilliland in Willsborough.
— Military Patents, Vol. I, page 37.
Other patents were granted to individual soldiers long before the Revolu-
tionary War, and in some cases were never occupied, and reverted to the State
from the patentee not fulfilling the contract of settlement. Other patents were
sold so soon after their survey that the name of the purchaser was placed on
map and not that of the original patentee.
Beside the large number of patents in the county, there are a large number
of tracts that lie between the original patents.
Tracts. — The White Faced Mountain tract, in St. Armand and North Elba ;
the Jay tract, in Wilmington and Jay ; Essex tract, in Keene, Jay and Lewis ;
Perou Bay tract, in Lewis and Willsborough ; Thorn's survey, in Keene, Eli?-
abethtown and Lewis ; Iron Ore tract in Elizabethtown and Westport ; Roar-
ing Brook tract, in Keene and Elizabethtown ; North River Head tract, in
North Hudson and Moriah ; Paradox tract, in Schroon and Moriah ; Hague
tract, in Schroon ; Schroon tract, in Schroon, and a tract west of the Road pat-
ent ; west of all of these is the great Totten and Crossfield purchase of about
fifteen full townships. This vast territory of mountain and forest has been cut
up and sold to various individuals, companies and corporations, much has been
sold for taxes and been bid in by the State.
Map. — To arrange these patents, grants, and large tracts, in their proper
places in order to project a map of the county of Essex, is one of those tasks
that never has been done and never will be done until the trigonometrical
survey of the State has been completed. The causes that combine to defeat
anything like accuracy are, first, the variation of the magnetic needle by which
all these were located ; second, the errors in chaining over mountains and
streams ; third, the allowances that surveyors made for- rough land and for
highways ; and fourth, the laps and gores, or the interference of patent lines,
and the spaces between patents.
Besides the annual and ever-increasing variation of the magnetic needle,
256 History of Essex County.
the local attractions were most in this county, perhaps, of any in the State.
The vast quantities of iron ore in the mountains, as well as in some instances
the mountains themselves, often varied the needle several degrees, and in many
instances would not let the needle vibrate at all. This cause alone was suffi-
cient to disarrange any survey made in that manner, but frequently the sur-
veyor, in correcting up his latitude and departure, would rely on his needle,
and not on the chain, and plot his courses so as to balance, making his dis-
tances agree to a single link. Surveyors of the present day know that this is
utterly preposterous, and when they have the least suspicion, invariably rely
on the chain. Frequently in the returns of the Surveyor to the Land Com-
missioners he would say in his survey bill, " as the needle pointed " in some
previous year, and particularly when he was following an old line ; but when
he began to run a new line in the wilderness, he would invariably run as the
needle happened to point at that time. Thus lines that were intended as par-
allel on the ground, and were so, would have a variation on the map of several
degrees.
The difficulties in chaining over mountains, precipices, lakes and chasms,
and getting the distances correct, is apparent to almost any intelligent man ;
but to make this look particularly absurd in common chain surveying, I will
give an instance of a State deputy surveyor who measured a gore between the
Old MiHtary tract and the Refugee tract in Clinton county. This strip of land
was quite narrow, but very long, reaching from Dannemora to the Canada line.
He passed over three mountain chains, two large rivers, several precipices, and
a chasm 300 feet deep ; and yet his distances invariably balance. Beside this
impossible feat, he made the Canada line at right angles to his north and south
lines. When absolute accuracy is desired it is safe to say that no two men
can chain a mile and then chain it back again and find that the two measure-
ments agree.
It was the invariable rule in the early surveys to make the " usual allow-
ance for roads." This was in many instances known to be five per cent, but
if the patent was for a specified number of acres, the returns of the surveyor
would make the distances in his return and the map also to cover the precise
quantity. This five per cent, might be added to the side or to the end of a pat-
ent, and to this day which course was adopted no one can tell.
Beside this discrepancy in the measurement, the commissioners of the land
office would often say in the patent: "In setting out this grant we have made
due allowance for the profitable and unprofitable acres," and this may have
added to a confusion already badly confounded.
The laps or interference of patent lines that must have necessarily followed
such a style of surveying were not known sometimes until many years had
elapsed. The starting points were often ill defined and a malicious person
could with an axe in a few minutes entirely destroy them. These interfer-
Land Patents, Titles, etc. 257
ences were necessarily determined in the courts, and there is hardly a map to
show such in the archives of the State. The gores that have been discovered
by later surveyors have invariably been applied for, the tracts surveyed, and
patents granted. Some of these were discovered in the early part of the cent-
ury, and some as late as 1855. These laps and gores alone are enough to
destroy the accuracy of Burr's atlas, and in a great degree all that has been
subsequently published. The writer has had a double experience in plotting
Essex county and a brief relation of his experience may not be entirely unin-
teresting.
Francis Mahler, the principal draftsman on French's Map of the State, began
it by plotting Lake Champlain from the United States Coast Survey. From
this he projected the line commencing ten miles north of Crown Point Fort, on
the bank of the lake, which was the starting point for several patents, and the
north line of Totten and Crossfield's Purchase, and the south line of the Old
Military Tract. He next projected the county line between Essex and War-
ren counties from the survey of Joseph L. Harris. From these two lines,
whose course had to be calculated for the variation of the needle for a long
term of years, and the true north from the Coast Survey, and the irregular
line of Lake Champlain, I was required to .fit in the large tracts and the little
patents, without any knowledge of laps and gores, or anything of the usual
allowance for roads. It was natural to commence as near the top of the sheet
as possible, and to make the longest lines first; so I commenced on his longest
straight line and plotted De Lancy and Kelly's Patents and from these worked
north as they appeared on Burr's atlas. I fitted them the best I could accord-
ing to their given distances until I reached the Ausable river; and then began
to plot the larger tracts to the west; but nothing would fit, and the work for a
time was postponed. The Httle patents next south of the great line were next
plotted, from Westport to Ticonderoga, in pencil, and about a mile's discrep-
ancy found; and this too had to be abandoned. I next began to plot from a
point in the Roaring Brook Tract, that was designated as the southeast corner
of the Old Military Tract, a point thirty miles west of the lake, and from this
worked north to Clinton county, and then east to the lake. After this was
accomphshed, the little patents were crowded or stretched as occasion required
to fill their respective places.
The same tactics were used in plotting the territory south of the great line;
but some difficulty was experienced in making it fit the county line, which,
however carefully it might have been run, was poorly plotted with reference to
lot, tract, patent, or township lines. Years afterward I read the field notes of
that very costly survey, and there was not a single reference to any other line
except the one he was surveying. All of the little tracts east of the great ones
were forced into their respective places, and all west of the Road patent was
easily got along with. From many years' experience since that date (1858) I
258 History of Essex County.
»
am confident that, with the materials I had, the feat was creditably accom-
plished.^
CHAPTER XXI.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN, ITS COMMERCE, ETC. — OTHER INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Lake Champlain — Desirability for Navigation — Islands of the Lake — Early Passenger and Freight
Traffic on the Lake — The First Steamboat on the Lake — Timber and Lumber on the Lake — Influ-
ence of the Champlain Canal— Details of its Construction — The Champlain Transportation Company
— History of Steamboating on the Lake — Early Pilots, Docks, etc. — Commerce in i£68 — Late Com-
mercial Statistics — Other Navigation Projects — The Northern Inland Lock Navigation Company —
Great Chazy Navigation Company — Northern Slackwater and Railway Company — Lighthouses —
Railroads — Adirondack Railroad — Great Ausable Railway Company — Delaware and Hudson Canal
Company's Line.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN^ is a long, narrow body of water stretching directly
north from the village of Whitehall, Washington county to St. John's, a
distance of about one hundred and thirty miles. The natural beauty of the
lake and its immediate surroundings is scarcely excelled by any inland waters
of the country. Its eastern shore rises gradually from the water in picturesque
undulations to the foot of the Green Mountains, whose majestic peaks are visi-
1 In 1868 I again plotted Essex county in connection with other counties, in making a large map of
the Great Wilderness. This was on a. reduced scale, but with the experience I had had, and the skill
acquired with long practice, so far as the lines are concerned, the positions of the various localities in
regard to one another I believe to be very good. That they are accurate I am not silly enough to
claim. Verplanck Colvin says that I have not located hundreds of mountains, and dozens of lakes, and
boasts that he has found lakes by the dozen, I placed nothing on the map that I did not have a sur-
veyer's voucher for. The spaces left blank, were left. soon purpose, for farther delineation, when fur-
ther knowledge was acquired. It might require a mountain, or it might require a lake to fill the space,
and if the lithographic stones had not been burned, we might have had a pretty good map by this time.
Several streams on the map were only put on in dotted lines to show that they were only approximate,
and some of the lakes that were drawn on the stones, do not show on the original plot. I suppose
these were located by George Dawson, and other gentlemen who were interested in the issue of the
map, and had access to the very clever engraver. To the unaided eye every lake looks shorter than it
really is, and hardly any man is capable of placing a lake properly on a map according to its scale, un-
less he has had some practice ; but sportsmen have often desired to do it for me, by guess, and were
quite impatient because I wotild not comply. This is one of the reasons that lakes should often take
the place of mountains, and mountains the place of lakes on many of the maps of the Great Wilderness.
Had Mr. Merritt's guide book been published, that originally was to accompany the map, many things
could have been explained about different localities that would have rendered it plain why the map
was not a complete thing, and did not claim to be. — H. D. L. S.
2 The most widely known Indian name of this lake is " Caniadere-Guarante, " i. e. the lake that is
the gate of the country. Upon the authority of R. W. Livingston, it was given another Indian appella-
tion — " Petaoughbough, " signifying a double pond, or lake branching out into two, referring, prob-
ably, to its connection with Lake George. This latter title has been several times published as
" Pelaonbough, " which is incorrect. •
Lake Champlain, etc. 259
ble from all parts of the lake. On the west rise the no less grand Adirondacks,
whose rugged an9 precipitous spires push their rocky shoulders directly into
the waters at several points, while at others wide fields stretch backward to the
mountain bases. From a width of half a mile toward its upper extremity, the
lake broadens out to nearly fifteen miles opposite the northern boundaries of
the county and its waters are cleft by numerous beautiful islands, differing in
character from the rugged shaft of rock to the most fertile of level, garden-like
spots.
The navigation of this beautiful sheet of water is clear and unobstructed
through the warm seasons, while in the winters it is closed by a continuous
sheet of ice, which sometimes reaches a remarkable thickness. This becomes a
great public highway and is traversed in all directions by numerous teams, be-
sides serving for trials of speed of the trotting horses that are owned along its
shores. The lake at rare intervals remains open all winter; in other seasons
the grip of the frost takes hold of its waters with such wonderful suddenness
that horses have been driven over the ice the fifth day after the passage of
steamboats.! It is the largest body of water in the United States that is period-
ically closed by ice so as to form a highway for teams.
Among the large islands are North and South Hero, the former eleven by
two miles in extent, and the latter thirteen by four miles; Isle la Motte
(named from a Captain la Motte, who fortified it at an early date of the
French occupation), six by two miles in extent. Upon the authority of Mr.
Watson, William Gilliland formerly possessed an interest in this island, and
when his rights were abrogated he was given in exchangea tract of land near
Utica. Grand Isle, which forms a town of Vermont, Valcour Island and some
fifty other smaller islands.
The rivers entering the lake are Wood creek from the extreme south ; the
Lake George outlet; the Ausable, Saranac, Boquet and Chazy from the New
York side, and the Otter, Winooski, La Moille and Missisqui from Vermont, with
numerous smaller streams. The outlet is the Sorel, or St. John's river, empty-
ing into the St. Lawrence and forming with the Chambly canal open naviga-
tion to the ocean.
The shores of the lake are indented with numerous bays, among those on the
western shore being Bulwagga bay, which forms Crown Point, Willsborough
(formerly Perow, or Pereu bay, and originally Corlear's bay), and others of
lesser importance. The southern extremity of the lake forms South bay, in
Washington county.
Samuel Champlain began the passenger business on Lake Champlain 275
years ago when he came up with his canoes and Indians to give the Iroquois
their first knowledge of gunpowder and bullets and their fatal effects at short
range. What was subsequently developed from this beginning, if anything,
during the French dominion cannot be known ; there is little reason for think-
1 Watson.
26o History of Essex County.
ing that freight of any kind was carried on these waters to any extent, until
the founding of William Gilliland's colony on the Boquet in 1765. It consisted
then almost entirely in supplies taken down the lake for the inhabitants. But
when the shores of the lake were opened up to settlement after the Revolution
and peace shed its beneficent influence over the land, the importance of the
lake as a commercial highway Was soon realized. As the pioneers came in
with their families to locate their wilderness homes, many of them crossing the
lake from the Eastern States, the hope and expectation that its waters would
some day be made still more picturesque with hundreds of moving sails must
have formed part of the enticement that allured them to locate on the western
shores.
Ferries were established early in the century at Crown Point and Ticonder-
oga, but little is known of who conducted them, or to what extent they were
the means of carrying the very limited quantity of surplus products from what
is now Essex county to Vermont. Further information concerning them will
be found in the succeeding town histories.
The first steamboat on Lake Champlain was in 18 10, and in 1813 was in-
corporated the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company, whose charter expired
in 1838. On the nth of May, 1835, the Lake Champlain Steamboat Naviga-
tion Company was incorporated with a capital of $100,000.
It was about the beginning of the century when ship timber and lumber be-
gan to be transported to considerable extent down the lake to the St. Law-
rence. The valuable white oak and pine which then abounded in many parts
of the country found a ready market and brought a profitable revenue. Ship-
timber from the county crossed the ocean and was built into the vessels which
gave renown to the English yards.
The winter season was chiefly given up to the collection and preparation
of this valuable timber, giving employment to many men and all the available
teams. The sticks were secured in coves and marshy localities where they
would be protected from the spring floods, and there formed into enormous
rafts. As mills were built, planks and boards of pine, and oak staves were
manufactured and exported to the same market. They were transported in
cribs and either towed with the rafts or piled upon them. The great rafts were
helped on their way through the lake by sails and oars and were carried by
current and tide down the Sorel and St. Lawrence. Timber delivered in early
days on the shores of the lake cost, for oak, from six to eight cents per cubic
foot. In Quebec it brought an average of forty cents, and twenty for
pine. The cost of transportation was about two and one-half cents per foot.
This seems to denote a very large profit, but there were many losses attend-
ant upon going through the turbulent current and tides of the St. Lawrence,
which often swept entire rafts beyond Quebec and to total destruction. It is
said that the business proved, as a rule, disastrous to those who engaged in it ;
and it rapidly cleared the shores of the lake of the most valuable timber.
Lake Champlain, etc. 261
No decked vessel navigated Lake Champlain until about the beginning of the
century ; the very insignificant commerce being conducted in cutters, pirogues
and bateaux. Wharves were not built to any considerable extent until still
later. Immigrants with live stock to land ran their boats as near as practicable
to some favorable point, threw the animals overboard and swam them to the
shore. An old resident of the county, Norman Page, informed Mr. Watson
that, in those early days, a bushel of salt was the purchase price of a bushel
of wheat from the pioneers of the sparsely settled districts. The boat with the
cargo of salt would come to anchor in a cove and notify the inhabitants of the
vicinity, who would haul their wheat through the forest for barter. The local
merchant who went southwest for goods previous to 1809 consumed a month
on the journey.
With the opening of the Champlain Canal and the prosecution of other
projects more or less connected therewith, in the year 1823, the commercial
importance of Lake Champlain was immediately and vastly increased. The
cutting of lumber in Essex county had already become a prominent industry,
which now, with the almost unlimited facilities for its transportation southward,
received a wonderful impetus. Dockage was improved and extended at Port
Kent, Essex, Westport, Port Henry, Crown Point and Ticonderoga ; canal
boats, schooners and sloops rapidly multiplied and all along the lake were
scenes of the most active industry. A large portion of the inhabitants of the
county, and those who owned lands and were non-resident, were attacked with
a " lumber fever " (for want of a better term for the mania), and looking upon
their magnificent forests as apparently illimitable and inexhaustible, they began
their wholesale destruction with a degree of energy and success worthy of a
business that would bring them more of substantial profit.^
The Champlain Canal was begun in June, 18 18, and finished from near
Cohoes to Waterford in November, 1822, and to Whitehall in September, 1823.
It is sixty-four miles long exclusive of the Glens Falls feeder, and cost originally
$875,000. What was called the "Northern Inland Navigation Company"
was formed as early as 1792, having for its chief object the opening of naviga-
tion from Lake Champlain southward, but the company failed to raise sufficient
funds for its work. There was a natural water communication, interrupted by
portages, along this route, which was the highway of the Indians with their
canoes. When the canal was first opened slackwater navigation was used
on the Hudson eight miles above and three miles below Fort Miller, with a
short canal and two locks around the falls at that point. In 1826-27 the use
of the Hudson was superseded by building the canal along its banks. The
canal connects with the Hudson above the State dam at Waterford by a wide
cut.
The tide of Lake Champlain commerce and passenger traffic now turned
1 It is the general testimony of old residents that almost none of those who engaged extensively in
early lumbering, became permanently well-to-do.
262 History of Essex County.
southward and soon became of great importance to the people of Essex
county. A large commerce was also developed in lumber from Camada. In 1 826
the Champlain Transportation Company was organized and for about fifty
years controlled a large proportion of the carrying business of the lake. The
company was composed of energetic, enterprising men whose efforts directed
first, of course, to the advancement of their own interests, were at the same
time conducive to the welfare of the towns along the lake. In those days the
waters were whitened with hundreds of sails engaged in lumber and other car-
rying traffic ; the sloops and schooners going up the lake laden, as a rule, with
lumber and other products of the forests and returning with various kinds of
mercantile goods and stock for whatever manufacturer had then began work.
" It was not unusual," said an an old lake navigator of Westport to the writer,
" to look out on our bay and see twenty sail at once. Now," he added, with a
tinge of sadness, " we cannot see that many in a year." The same gentleman
said that if a man had offered him an established mercantile business gratui-
tously when he was twenty-two years old, he would not have left his occupa-
tion of sailing the lake to accept it, so well did he like the business and so
favorable were the prospects for accumulating a competence.
Steamboating on the lake began with increased activity soon after the
opening of the canal. One of the earliest boats was the Franklin, Captain R.
W. Sherman, who was one of the earliest and for many years most popular
captains on the lake. He died in Vergennes and is reported as having
amassed a fortune of nearly $100,000. The early steamers were but insignifi-
cant craft when compared with those of later days. It was a poor sloop that
could not in a fair wind make better speed than they. The Phoenix was another
of the earliest steamers and was on the lake at the same time with the Franklin.
She was commanded by Captain Dan Lyon, and was burned. These early
boats made alternate trips from Whitehall to St. John's and consumed nearly
twenty-four hours in going that distance. A smart sailing craft would often
run alongside of one of the steamers, sometimes even going ahead for a
whole day.
The third steamer put upon the lake was the Burlington, which succeeded
one of the others. She was placed in command of Captain Sherman. The
proprietor lived in Burlington. She was a better and faster boat than her
predecessors and for a time was looked upon as entirely unlikely to be sur-
passed in speed. Then came the Saltus. The owners of the Burlington had
still the utmost faith in the sailing powers of their boat ; but Captain Sherman
needed but a brief inspection to convince him to the contrary, and he told his
employers that if they wanted their boat to " run " the Saltus they better find
a man to command her. The Winooskie was then put on against the Saltus
and was, perhaps, nearly her equal in speed. She was run about two years,
while the United States was building. On this boat great hopes of speed were
Lake Champlain, etc. 263
placed ; but the captain of the Saltus had ruled the waters in that respect so
long that he began to think his boat invincible. The two boats started on the
test trip from the foot of the lake, and during the passage to Whitehall the
Saltus kept ahead. The next day also she started out ahead, but on reaching
Watch Point her competitor gracefully passed her, and the United States never
afterward lowered her colors to the Saltus. " Pete " Comstock owned the
latter boat, and he was hopelessly discouraged.
These boats (with the exception of the first Phoenix, which burned), all died,
as the phrase goes, " in the bone yard."
The America was put on the lake next as an opposition boat, but the old
Transportation Company bought her off. When the United States and the
Burlington had outlived their usefulness, the Adirondack was built and soon
afterward the Vermont, which is now running under the control of the Dela-
ware & Hudson Canal Company.
About the time the United States " died " the Oaks Ames was built by the
Rutland Railroad Company and ran from Plattsburg to Burlington, carrying the
company's cars and freight. She was subsequently purchased by the Cham-
plain Transportation Company and fitted up for passengers ; her name was
changed to the Champlain. This was at about the close of the last war. She .
left Westport in the night on one of her regular trips about the year 1870, and
when she swung around the point about three miles below Westport, the pilot
ran her upon a rocky projection, lifting her bow out of the water half her length.
The passengers were taken off in safety. A very few feet to the right or left
would have grounded her in such a position that serious loss of life would have
followed.
In the early days of steamboating landings were not made at Westport, but
at Basin Harbor, where passengers were ferried to the former place, and land-
ings were made for some years afterward in small boats. If steamers carried
freight they would come to the wharves.
From about the year 1830 on to the beginning of the decline in the lumber '
interest was the most important period in the history of Lake Champlain
commerce.
Among the pilots of early days was Captain Hiram Ferris, who subse-
quently went west and died there. He is said to have been a special favorite
with Captain Sherman. Nathan Hill, who now lives in Burke, was another
prominent pilot The man who wrecked the Champlain was John Eldredge.
" Bill " and Grant Rockwell are remembered as excellent pilots ; the former
has a son living across the lake in Vermont. Phineas Durfee was pilot with
Captain Lathrop for a time. He died at Westport. Reuben Bosley was an-
other of the captain's pilots. John Brunn was a good pilot in early years.
It is related by " Phin." Durfee that he could tell where he was on the lake
under any and all circumstances. In proof of this, as the incident is related,
264 History of Essex County.
he was asleep below one foggy night when absolutely nothing could be seen a
rod from the boat. The acting pilot became bewildered and Captain Lathrop
ordered Durfee to be called. He came up rubbing his eyes and promptly
pulled the bell to go ahead, worked the wheel clear over and turned the boat
almost square around. In half an hour he called to the other pilot, who was
Reub. Bailey, saying, "You see that land right there; well, that's Isle la
Motte," and went down to his bed without another word.
In 1 830 the first dock below Whitehall was at Crown Point. Other land-
ings within this county were at Ticonderoga, Port Henry, Westport, Essex
and Port Kent. The latter for many years did the largest business.
The first steam towing on the lake was by boats of the Transportation
Company — first by the Washingtofi and later hy the McDona/d ; the latter
had been built for passenger traffic about 1835. Previous to that time the
freighting was done under sail until the narrow channel towards the head of
the lake was reached, when the vessels were navigated by sails when practica-
ble, and when not, by " poling " or by oxen on the banks of the channel.
What is to be the future of Lake Champlain commerce it is not easy to
foretell ; but there is little to encourage a belief that it has not seen by far its
best days. Freight and passengers may be carried on the water by sail and
steam cheaper than they can by railroad ; but in, these times when speed
seems to be the great object, and the saving of time in transportation a prime
necessity, it appears a foregone conclusion that the railroads running near to
the lake on both the New York and the Vermont shores must rob the water
of its commercial importance. Mr. Watson, however, writing on this subject
in 1869, took the following cheerful view of the matter, which is inserted for its
statistical value and as reflecting the prospects at that time — prospects that
have been vastly changed by the completion of the railroad on the western
shore of the lake. He says : —
" The commerce of Lake Champlain is now large and every year augments.
The lumber, the ore and iron fabrics of the North, combined with the grain
and flour of the West, and the coal and merchandise of the South, constitute a
vast trade. To their domestic resources may be added the productions of
Canada, which seek a market by this avenue and the goods chiefly bonded
that pass into the dominion from American ports, and much of which is re-
turned under fresh entries, all swelling this immense internal commerce. Nu-
merous Canadian vessels, designed for the navigation of the St. Lawrence, and
readily distinguishable from American craft by their peculiar structure and ap-
pearance, reach the waters of Lake Champlain by the waters of the Chambly
Canal. Vessels from the upper lakes are occasionally observed in our harbors.
A large class of the population contiguous to the lake is connected with its nav-
igation. This occupation forms an admirable school for the acquisition of
nautical skill and experience, and creates a bold and expert body of mariners.
Lake Champlain, etc.
26s
If the public exigencies shall again demand a national fleet upon Champlain,
her own marine would promptly supply daring and efficient crews."
Following is a table showing the first and last trips made on Lake Cham-
plain by the steamers, from the year 1845 to 1868, as recorded by the now
venerable Alvin Colvin, of Port Kent. It is valuable as showing the dates of
the opening and closing of navigation for that period : —
FIRST TRIPS.
Steamer Winooskie, April 1st,
LAST TRIPS.
Steamer Saranac, January 1st, 1845.
Schooner La Fayette, February 3d, 1845.
Steamer Saranac, January 3d, 1846.
Sloop Cashier, February 3d, 1846.
Steamer Saranac, January 5th, 1847.
Steamer John Gilpin, February 8th, 1848.
Steamer Ethan Allen, January 6th, 1849.
Steamer La Fayette, January tith, 1849.
Steamer Saranac, January 15th, 1850.
Sail boats ran all winter, 1850.
Steamer Saranac, January 25th, 1 85 1.
Steamer Boston, January 2Sth, 1852.
Steamer Boston, February loth, 1853.
Steamer Francis Saltus, January 23d, 1854.
Sloop Daniel Webster, January 24th, 1855.
Steamer Francis Saltus, January 19th, 1856.
Steamer Montreal, January 9th, 1857.
Steamer Montreal, February ist, 1858.
Steamer J. Clark, February 7th, 1858.
Steamer Montreal, January 9th, 1859.
Sail boats ran to January 25th, i860.
Steamer Boston, January lOth, 1861.
Steamer Boston, January 1st, 1862.
Sail boats ran to February Ist, 1862.
Steamer Boston, January 21st, 1863.
Sail boats ran to January 28th, 1863.
Steamer Boston, February 13th, 1864.
Steamer Montreal, January 14th, 1865.
Lake closed January i8th, 1865.
Schooner Excelsior, January 21st, 1866.
1867.
1845.
Steamer Winooskie, April 7th, 1845.
Steamer Saranac, May 7th 1S47.
Seamer Ethan Allen, March 30th, 1848.
Steamer Saranac, April 6th, 1849.
Steamer Saranac, March 26th, 1850.
Steamer Saranac, April ist, 1851.
Steamer Boston, April 25th, 1852.
Steamer Boston, April 15th, 1853.
Steamer Saranac, April 19th, 1854.
Steamer Boston, April 20th, 1855.
Steamer Boston, April 21st, 1856.
Steamer Montreal, April lOth, 1857.
Steamer Montreal, April 7th, 1858.
Steamer Montreal, April 2d, 1859.
Schooner Excelsior, March 28th, i860.
Steamer Montreal, April 4th, i860.
Steamer Boston, April 15th, 1861.
Steamer Boston, April 28th, 1862.
Steamer Montreal, April 27th, 1863.
Boat J. G. Wetherbee, March 30th, 1864.
Steamer Montreal, April 8th, 1864.
Steamer Montreal, April 7th, 1865.
Boat Oregon, April nth, 1866.
Steamer Montreal, April 12th, 1866.
Steamer Montreal, April 15th, 1867.
Steamer Montreal, April 17th, 18
Steamer Montreal, January nth,
Sail boats ran all winter.
Steamer Montreal, January 4th, 1868.
Lake froze to Burlington, January nth, 1868.
This list might be continued to the present time, but as it would necessarily
be largely made up of a repetition of dates, it is not deemed important.
We have been kindly furnished by Deputy Collector John Martin, of Platts-
Tsurg, with the following commercial statistics relating to his district, which
will to a considerable extent indicate the general condition on Lake Cham-
plain : —
On June 30th, 1884 (end of last fiscal year), there were enrolled and
licensed in this district : —
266 History of Essex County.
Sail 26 Vessels Net Tonnage 13,60. 1 1
Steam 13 " " 673.11
Canal boats --655 " " 54,436.51
Barges 6 " " 764.86
Total 700 57.477-S9-
The statements do not require the number of men employed. It would be
safe to say that there are about three men to each vessel except the steam ves-
sels, which would average say eight rnen each.
For the year ended June 30th, 1884, there entered from foreign ports into
this district : —
American Vessels 1,102 Tonnage 105,978
Foreign Vessels 169 " iS)i57
Totals 1,271 Vessels Topnage 121,135.
For the year ended June 30th, 1884, there were cleared for foreign
ports : —
American Vessels 997 Vessels 96,234 Tons
Foreign Vessels 171 " l5,ooi "
Totals 1,168 Vessels 112,235 Tons
For same period there were : —
Coastwise Entrances 56 Vessels
Coastwise Clearances 1,002
The total value of goods entered for consumption and warehouse, and
warehouse and transportation, for the year ending June 30th, 1884, was: —
Free of duty, value $ 544,45700
Dutiable, " .' 3,167,34200
Coin and Bullion, " 2,046,80000
Exports for same period : —
Domestic exports, value $1,395,286 00
Foreign re-exports, " 7,58900
As the final footings of imports and exports do not show the distinction
" by boat " and " by rail " and " by land," I cannot give you the proportions,
of the above by vessels.
The actual collections in district for year ending June 30th, 1884, were as
follows : —
Duties on imports $296,887 43
Tonnage tax 9,704 89
Marine hospital collections 243 o5
Fines, penalties and forfeitures ycc 82
Miscellaneous customs receipts 126 22
Inspection of steam vessels j^o 00
Official fees '. 7885 75
Total receipts $315,733 '7
Statement showing the amount of duties collected in district during the
fiscal year ending June 30th, as follows : —
Lake Champlain, etc. 267
1840 5,837 38
1846 10,929 55
1850 59,019 61
1855 51,021 66
i860 8,500 18
1865 15,814 00
J870 357,463 65
1875 182,796 87
1880 266,295 56
1884 296,887 43
Owing to the fact that the first half of the fiscal year which ended June
30th, 1845, is wanting, in the last table the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1846,
is given, which does not, probably, differ much from the preceding year.
Following is a statement of the number, tonnage and crews navigating
Lake Champlain on the 20th of June, 1868: —
Number. Tonnage. Crews.
Steamers, ships and canal boats, district of Champlain 672 43,512 1,800
Vermont 34 4,847 300
Canadian vessels 165 13,656 753
American vessels from other districts, (estimated) 150 12,350 45°
Total 1,021 73.865
Navigation Projects. — As early as March 30th, 1792, the Northern Inland
Lock Navigation Company was incorporated, its object being to connect the
waters of the Hudson river with Lake Champlain — work since accompHshed
by the Champlain canal. This company made some progress and began work
to a limited extent, but failed to carry out its plans for want of funds.
In May, 1836, the Great Chazy Navigation Company was incorporated, for
the purpose of connecting "the lake and lower bridge at Champlain," Clinton
county.
About 184s a plan was agitated for uniting the interior lakes and rivers of
the Great Wilderness and thus forming an extensive inland navigation. The
project was inaugurated under an act of incorporation of "The Northern Slack-
water and Railway Company." This company was given a life of fourteen
years in which to carry out its plans.
The prominent feature of the scheme, as originally planned, was the arti-
ficial communication between Port Kent, in the town of Chesterfield, this
county, and Booneville, on the Black River canal. A large portion of this route
is opened for navigation to a greater or less extent, by nature, in the rivers
and lakes. A report was made upon the feasibility of the project by Prof. F.
N. Benedict, in which he made it appear that a natural route is formed from
Piermont's Rapids, on the Saranac river, on the line between Essex and Clin-
ton counties, to the Moose river, twenty-one miles from Booneville, with which
the contemplated navigation would have to be connected by railroad, or canal ;
the proposed route, starting from Piermont's Rapids, passed through Essex
county by the Saranac; along the lower and upper Saranac lakes; the Raqiiette
268 History of Essex County.
river, Long, Forked and Raquette lakes, and the intervening streams, to the
Moose river lakes, and down that stream to the western termination. ^
Professor Benedict stated that there exists on this course a navigation of
fifty-six miles sufficient for steamers of reasonable tonnage, and fifty-five miles
further sufficient for smaller boats. For a distance of only seven and one-
fourth miles on the route occur obstructions which must be removed to open
up continuous navigation for the entire distance. The lateral navigation from
this line, formed by rivers and lakes, embraces thirty-three miles, navigable by
steamers, and thirty-eight miles navigable by boats of ten tons, with interven-
ing obstructions of only one-half mile. The total length of this proposed im-
provement is one hundred and ninety miles. The obstacles covering but seven
and three-fourths miles are largely on low and marshy ground and easily over-
come. Mr. Benedict's calculations and estimates were carefully made and he
placed the cost of improving the main route at $292,950, and that of the lat-
eral branches at $20,000, an average of $1,611 to the mile for the entire im-
provement. , The details of the proposed improvement need not be given here;
but they embraced merely such labor as would render this natural water-way
navigable as stated. The lateral branches would reach out well towards the
remaining forests in St. Lawrence, Hamilton and Franklin counties to the west-
ward; and almost to the great iron districts of the Adirondacks. Professor
Benedict adds: "Extensive lines of small boat navigation, and with very few
and short interruptions, traverse all considerable sections of the surface. The
aggregate extent of these lines is probably no less than three hundred miles,
all of which could be rendered navigable for boats of fifty tons burthen at
comparatively trifling expense."
It is clear that the construction of the railroads already existing in North-
ern New York has modified the apparent necessity for this proposed navigation
route to a considerable extent; and it is, perhaps, equally clear that if the in-
terior portions of the great wilderness are to be reached otherwise than by
foot and teams, it must be by navigation on some' plan analogous to that of
Professor Benedict, as it is almost inaccessible to railways.
Large appropriations have been made at different periods for the improve-
ment of navigation facilities of several of the streams that flow from this moun-
tain range — the Ausable, Hudson and others — chiefly to facihtate the trans-
portation of logs; and the number that have been thus carried out of the wil-
derness is almost beyond computation. This was one of the prominent ad-
vantages of the region as a source of lumber supply, and though this feature
of the business has sensibly declined, it is largely carried on in some parts of
the county.
A large number of light-houses have been established on Lake Champlain,
1 This route may be readily traced and apparent practicability sgen, on Wallace's excellent map of
the New York Wilderness.
Lake Champlain, etc. 269
there being no less than fourteen on what are known as the Whitehall Narrows,
or that part of the lake south of Ticonderoga. These were all first lighted
in 1856, except the most northern one, first lighted in 1869, in which year the
others mentioned were rebuilt. The next one is situated on the shoal between
Watch Point and Larabee's Landing. First Hghted in 1885 ; its height is
twenty-five feet and the light is visible nine miles. The next light as we pro-
ceed down the lake is on Crown Point near the ruins of the fort. It was first
lighted in 1858. The house is of limestone and is connected with the dwell-
ing by a covered way. The tower is eighty-five feet high and the light' is vis-
ible fifteen miles. The next light is at Barber's Point in the town of Westport.
It is eighty-three feet high and visible fifteen miles; was first lighted in 1873.
The tower surmounts the lake side of the store dwelling. The next light is at
Split Rock near Essex. The tower is 100 feet high and the light visible sev-
enteen and a quarter miles; was first lighted in 1838 and the present structure
erected in 1867. It is of limestone and connected with the dweUing. There
are fourteen other lights on the lake, four of which are on the Vermont shore
and the others on the west shore and islands. Lake Champlain is in the third
district.
Railroads. — It is the general conviction of the American people that rail-
roads never fail to benefit and develop the regions through which they pass ;
but it is doubtless true that Essex is a somewhat pecuhar county in respect
of the proportion of its inhabitants who are not anxious to see the Adirondack
wilderness penetrated by railroads. It is a region that is visited by thousands
of pleasure-seekers every year, whose annual contributions to the wealth of the
inhabitants amount to no inconsiderable sum. Many of them have built and
will hereafter build summer residences in the beautiful valleys among the moun-
tains, to which they make annual pilgrimages with their families and friends.
In the Keene Valley alone, in this county, there are already more than thirty
of these summer resorts already built, ranging from a few hundred dollars in
cost to many thousands. This regular influx of wealthy people gives employ-
ment to hundreds of men and women, increases the interior transportation busi-
ness and adds materially to the local mercantile and manufacturing interests.
Many of the inhabitants who are most favorably affected by this condition of
affairs, as well as some who are not directly interested, argue that the scream
of the locomotive whistle will drive away a large portion of these temporary
residents and the large sporting element, even as it will the deer from the for-
ests, while at the same time, little can be expected from the wilderness region
as a whole, after its remaining forests are cleared away, unless it be the min-
eral ores that are developed in the eastern portion ; that in an agricultural sense,
Essex county for example, can never be developed to a really profitable de-
gree. On the other hand, the larger portion of the inhabitants, probably, and
those comprising the best intelligence of the community, speak confidently of
270 History of Essex County.
the yet undeveloped mining interests, the remaining lumber stock in the for-
ests, and above all, of the universal undeveloped water power which will in
the future turn the wheels of thousands of manufactories of all kinds, when
this raw stock and their finished products can be cheaply transported back
and forth by railroad. These considerations are likely to be powerfully influ-
enced by the results of present attempted State legislation looking to the pres-
ervation of the forests in this region and the possible reservation of the entire
tract for a great public park.
In alluding to the benefits arising from State appropriations for improving
the streams of this region for the passage of logs, Mr. Watson says of the de-
sirability of railroad development : —
"The same spirit has cherished and will continue to foster the constructing
of railroads calculated to develop the affluence of this region. This wise policy
of public munificence is calling into practical existence and utility an immense
aggregate of property which has been hitherto inaccessible and valueless.
While it will administer to the efforts of private enterprise and supply new
fountains of individual wealth, it will return to the treasury of the State tenfold
the expenditures by opening the vast public domain to market, and by the
immense accession to the business by the public works it must create. Hence,
it is manifest, that the labor of the settler which removes the forest and reveals
the earth to cultivation, also prepares the coal for the manufacturer and the
timber for transportation ; and thus while he is remunerated for his toil, he is
enabled to pay for his farm and adapt it to tillage."
Of the several railroad projects which have been inaugurated in this
county, or in which the county was directly interested, was the incorpora-
tion in 1839, of the "Adirondack Railroad Company," for the purpose of
"constructing and maintaining a railroad from the Adirondack iron works, in
Newcomb, to Clear Pond in the town of Moriah (now in the town of North
Hudson). Archibald Mclntyre, David Henderson and Archibald Robertson
were the incorporators. This was an effort on the part of those energetic gen-
tlemen to so increase and improve transportation facilities that they would be
enabled to more cheaply market the products of their valuable mines and
forges which they were operating in Newcomb. Nothing was done towards
the construction of the proposed road.
On the 30th of March, 1832, the " Great Ausable Railroad Company" was
incorporated, and the act was twice renewed, the last time to continue until
1878. Messrs. Richard Keese of Clinton county, Charles M. Watson of Essex
county, William McDonald of Warren county, John Mclntyre of Washington
county, Robert D. Silliman of Rensselaer county, and John R. Peters and
George Curtis of New York city, were the first commissioners under the in-
corporation act. The purpose of the company was to " construct a railway
from Keeseville to Port Kent." When this incorporation act was renewed the
Lake Champlain, etc. 271
last time, Josiah Fisk of Clinton county, Henry H. Ross and Charles M. Wat-
son of Essex county, Richard P. Heartt of Rensselaer county, and John Hone
of New York, were designated as commissioners to open books for subscrip-
tions to the stock. They were privileged to build " a double or single railway
from the forks of the Ausable to a point on Lake Champlain near Port Kent ;
also to construct branches thereof in either Essex or Clinton county." Owing
to local differences the result of this agitation was the construction and open-
ing of the road from Ausable Forks to Plattsburg, Clinton county.
Many of the inhabitants of Essex county were much elated as early as
i860 by the prospect of a railroad which was proposed from Saratoga, or
Glens Falls northward across Warren county and through the towns of Schroon,
North Hudson, Elizabeth town, Lewis and Chesterfield and by connections to
the St. Lawrence. The agitation of this enterprise, interrupted by the War of
the Rebellion, was renewed at the close of that conflict and for quite a period
its consummation was confidently predicted. Meetings were held and a par-
tial survey was made of the route. The rock upon which the enterprise finally
foundered was the refusal of those controlling the immense Moriah iron inter-
ests to co-operate with other towns in any proposed railroad the Une of which
did not extend along the western shore of the lake. This enterprise owed its
conception and incipient progress largely to T. J. Durand, who subsequently
became the controlling power in the Adirondack Railroad Company, whose line
now ends at North Creek, Warren county, with a prospect of reaching up into
Essex county some time in the future. A line of stages formerly ran over por-
tions of this proposed route from Schroon Lake to Keeseville.
The Whitehall and Plattsburg Railroad Company was incorporated and the
survey made in 1861 ; but owing to the paralyzing effects of the war work was
not begun until February 20th, 1869, when earth was broken in the town of
Crown Point. This enterprise received the sanction and hearty aid and en-
dorsement of most of the influential men of the county, whose names will be
found connected with all prominent enterprises for the public good, as detailed
in subsequent town histories. A petition was presented to the Legislature
asking for $500,000 to aid in constructing the road. One-half this sum was
granted and the bill received Governor Fenton's signature. Another bill for a
grant of the same amount passed both houses in the following winter, but it
was vetoed by the same governor, after having, it is charged, promised, infer-
entially at least, that if he was re-elected he would sanction this second grant.
Meetings were held in the lake towns which bonded themselves, in some cases
against sharp opposition, in aid of the enterprise: Moriah, $100,000 ; Crown
Point, $50,000; Ticonderoga, $40,000; Willsborpugh, $ ; Westport,
$25,000; Essex, $25,000; Chesterfield, $25,000. Liberal sums were also
subscribed by firms and individuals. In about two years from the time actual
work was begun cars were running between Ticonderoga and Port Henry, a
2/2 History of Essex County.
distance of about sixteen miles. Further State aid being refused and counties
to the southward declining to co-operate as it was thought they should, this
road was leased to the Vermont Central Company in 1871 and a connection
with their line made at Ticonderoga, via a bridge across the lake at that point.
In the same year the New York and Canada Railroad Company surveyed a route
along the western shore of the lake and began work. This enterprise prom-
ised to prove a direct opposition to the prospects of the Vermont Central and
the latter, therefore, sold their lease to the rival organization in 1873. Work
was prosecuted on the line with vigor, but the road was one of extraordinary
difficulties and expense in construction, and in order to secure necessary cap-
ital it was finally transferred to the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, who
now control it. For a considerable portion of the distance along the lake the
grade of the road bed was made in solid rock and several tunnels were also
necessary ; but the road is now prosperous and ably managed. The fare un-
der the law is four cents per mile.
At the same time'that the Whitehall and Plattsburg company were engaged
in this enterprise they constructed a branch line from Plattsburg to Ausable
Forks on the northern line of the town of Jay, which gave excellent shipping
facilities for the large manufacturing and other interests at that point, and forms
an outlet for the people of the northwestern towns of the county.
The branch roads that connect the iron mines of Moriah and Crown Point
with the main line will be appropriately described in the histories of those
towns.
The subject of a railroad from Westport to Elizabethtown was first broached
with a prospect of realization in September, 1883, by a gentleman from New
York, "who had been connected with the construction of the West Shore road.
The whole subject was fully canvassed, and it being made to appear perfectly
practicable to the cool heads of the best citizens of the town, money was im-
mediately raised to defray the expense of a preliminary survey of a route,
which was made in the month of October under the charge of D. E. Culver,
esq., a practical engineer.
The line run was started at D. L. Allen's dock in Westport, and substantially
following the turnpike to the terminus east of the iron bridge in Elizabethtown,
on an average grade of sixty feet to the mile. In making the survey no very
formidable obstacles were found in the way of getting a surface grade. The
whole length of the proposed road was nine miles. Estimated cost $100,000.
Two special town meetings were held, the last one on the 3d of January, for
the purpose of voting upon the proposition of bonding the town in the sum of
$7,600, bonds to run nineteen years at five per cent., to enable the town to
.purchase that part of the W. P. & E. T. turnpike lying in Elizabethtown, and
making it a free road, with the understanding that the amount so raised should
be applied in aid of the railroad only. Three votes were cast against, and 142
were for the proposition.
County Seat, Buildings, Societies, etc. 273
Preliminary steps were taken to organize the company, among the drrec-
tors named being: Hon. F. A. Smith, Hon. Byron Pond, Charles N. Williams,
Orlando Kellogg, A. K. Dudley and H. A. Putnam. It was promised that if
Elizabethtown would raise $25,000, they would raise an equal amount. With
this investment the road could be so far advanced that sufficient money could
be borrowed on its security to finish and equip the line. The troubles on the
West Shore road forced the abandonment of the enterprise when it seemed
upon the eve of success. It is quite probable that this road will be built at an
early day.
A branch railroad running from a station on the Delaware ancWiud^on
Canal Company's road, called (Fort Ticonderoga, a 'short distance nnrth- ^f
Addison Junction, to Baldwin, at the foot of Lake George, was built in 1874
by the above named company. It has been and is of considerable importance
to the town of Ticonderoga, and especially convenient for the great numbers
of Lake George tourists.
While the building of the railroad has reduced the lake commerce and
formed an avenue for the rapid shipment of the lumber, iron and other prod-
ucts of the county to various distant markets, it is still true that the inhabitants
of many of the towns, men of good general intelligence, are ready to say to-
day that the road has been of little general benefit to the county at large, while
to many of the villages and distant localities, it has been a death-blow. They
say to the inquirer, " Before the advent of the road the country was alive with
local activity. Thousands of men and horses were employed in the transpor-
tation of ore and lumber, there was abundant market for grain and hay, coun-
° try taverns were thriving by reason of the travel and teaming. The lake was
covered with sailing vessels and traversed by magnificent steamers. All that
has now passed away." But this must be an extreme view of the situation. It
is an unvarying rule that some of the hamlets and villages upon new lines of
railroads must suffer for the upbuilding of others ; but it is equally true that
all railroads eventually benefit the sections through which they pass.
CHAPTER XXII.
COUNTY SEAT, BUILDINGS, SOCIETIES, ETC.
The First County Seat — Its Change to Elizabethtown — The First Court-House — The Second
Building and its Additions — The State Arsenal — The County Poor House — Statistics — The Essex
County Agricultural Society.
u
PON the division of Clinton county and the erection therefrom of Essex
county in 1799, the county seat was established at Essex, in the present
18
274 History of Essex County.
town of that name. Here the courts were held and the general county business
transacted until after 1807. Daniel Ross was the first county judge, and in the
absence of other public buildings held his court and confined the prisoners
(when he had any) in the little block- house that was erected there by the peo-
ple in 1 797 as a protection against further uprisings of the Indians, a prospect
which seemed to them probable after the disastrous defeat of St. Clair by the
western savages.^
At the time of the division of Clinton county its population was about
8,500 and included fifty-eight slaves. Previous to the division the business of
the county courts was transacted at Plattsburg and thither the inhabitants,
scattered over a wider extent of territory than composes many of the present
States, were compelled to travel as litigants, witnesses and attorneys. The
division of the county was, therefore, like the one of ten years earlier, a great
public blessing. It was effected under an act of the Legislature of April,
1799, but the county seat remained at Essex until after 1807, and the public
business was transacted there until about the year 181 1.
In 1807 an act was passed appointing Peter Sailley, of Plattsburg, David
Thomas and John Savage, of Washington county, as commissioners to desig-
nate the proper place for the Essex county court-house, "the matter to be at-
tended to before the first day of August, 1807." They were allowed three
dollars per day as compensation for their services. Three freeholders were also
appointed to superintend the building of the structure.
In 181 1 the " liberties of the gaol of the county of Essex " were enlarged
by statute, with the proviso that they should extend no farther than one-half
mile from the court-house. The sheriff was also notified that he must compute *
his mileage from the new court-house. The building was evidently not yet
entirely finished, as Manoah Miller, Theodorus Ross and Delavan Delance were
subsequently named to superintend the erection; but the building was un-
doubtedly finished by or before the end of the year 181 1, as in May, 1 8 12,
the county was assessed two thousand five hundred dollars for "the building
and completing the Essex county court-house. "^
These details will convince the reader that the first court-house was not a
very imposing structure; but it sufficed for its purpose. It stood near the site
of the present county buildings in Elizabethtown village. This first court-
house was burned very soon after its^ completion. It was rebuilt on a similar
plan, and again burned in March, 1823. Steps were immediately taken to re-
build on more extensive plans. Early in 1824 a law was passed authorizing
the county to raise the sum of $3,000, above the cost of collection, for the pur-
1 There is a difference of opinion as to the date of erection of this block house. (See history of
the town of Essex.)
2 French's Gazetteer, a work of general reliability, gives the date of occupation of the new court-
house as about 1814.
County Seat, Buildings, Societies, etc. 275
pose of building a court-house and jail. This amount did not suffice and the
next year the county was empowered to raise $2,000 additional to finish the
building. The first installment of the present brick building was accordingly
erected in 1824. It was but one story high. In 1843 the second story was
added, in which the court-room was established. The last addition was made
in 18,80-81, by which the main part was enlarged and the wing put on for the
county offices.
The consequences of the destruction of the court-house in 1823 are shown
in the language of a special act of legislature, passed April 23d of that year,
appointing the second Tuesday of January and April and the last Tuesday in
September as the days for the meeting of the Court of Common Pleas and
authorizing the holding of the then next Circuit Court " at the house of Pollous
[ApoUus] A. Newell in Elizabethtown," and making it lawful for "the Court
of Common Pleas to designate any place in the to\vn for the holding of the
court."
In April, 1813, the clerk of the county was directed by law to keep his
office within one mile of the county court-house. In 1832 the supervisors were
authorized to raise the sum of $500 for the purpose of building a fire-proof
office for the county clerk. In April, 1834, the further sum of $300 was raised
for the like purpose. The county buildings are now creditable to the com-
munity, pleasantly situated and sufficiently commodious for the purposes for
which they were erected.
The State Arsenal. — What was formerly known as the arsenal, property,
embracing a tract of land of thirty- six square rods, was acquired by the State
in February, 18 1 2. It is situated in the village of Elizabethtown, and its pur-
chase and improvement was one of the last acts growing out of the war spirit
that lingered after the Revolution, to be again awakened by the War of 181 2.
The land was purchased of Simeon Frisbee and the building, which is now used
as Vinal Denton's hotel, was erected immediately afterward. A considerable
armament was kept there for many years and used by the various militia or-
ganizations. But the uses of the arsenal and its stores were peaceful until the
breaking out of the so called "Patriot War" in 1837. That foolhardy move-
ment received many recruits throughout northern New York, and Essex county
contributed her share. At this time a body of the hotheaded volunteers broke into
the arsenal and carried off about twelve hundred stand of arms and other
munitions. Some of these were recovered when the project of taking Canada
was ended. Some of them were found in the following spring hidden in a
school-house in the town of Chesterfield. From this time the arsenal fell into
practical disuse and about 1850 was purchased of the State by Ira Marks. It
has been used as a hotel since that time.
The County Poor-House. — The first action by the board of supervisors of
Essex county towards establishing a retreat for the poor was taken on the 1 1 th
276 History of Essex County.
of December, 1828, when the following resolutions was adopted: "Resolved,
That a committee of five persons be appointed to take into consideration the
propriety and expediency of placing all persons partaking of the character of
paupers in the several towns of the county upon the same common footing of
public support by the county, and that they report to this board." The com-
mittee appointed consisted of Messrs. Oliver Keese, 2d, of Chesterfield, Reu-
ben Whallon, of Essex, N. S. Storrs, of Moriah, Gideon Hammond, of West-
port, and Daniel T. Newcomb, of Newcomb.
The records show no report of this committee in 1829; and in 1830 the
board by resolution appointed five superintendents of the poor as follows : Wil-
liam Smith, of Essex ; Martin Pope, of Chesterfield ; John F. Bartlett, of Jay ;
John Baker, of Schroon, and A. C. Hand. These superintendents held their
first meeting at Elizabethtown on the 7th day of December, 1830, at which
William Smith was appointed chairman and A. C. Hand, secretary. The
superintendents were paid for their services the sum of $52, and the amount
raised for the support of the poor was $420.80. In the next year they reported
that the sum of $1,050, should be raised for this purpose. The board this year
elected as superintendents of the poor, Oliver Keese, 2d, William Smith, Rob-
ert Holley, John Baker and John Fitzgerald, and abolished the distinction be-
tween the town and county poor, to take effect in April, 1832.
A resolution was passed in this year (1832) as follows: "Resolved, That
this board do hereby determine to erect a county poor-house for the reception
of the poor of the county of Essex." The board also authorized the appro-
priation of $1,600 for the purchase of land and buildings. A committee ap-
pointed to fix upon a site for the proposed building reported in favor of a farm
located about one mile north of Whallonsburgh in the town of Essex, and the
farm was purchased of John Winslow ; it contained about forty-five acres.
In 1833 the number of superintendents of the poor was limited to three,
and the following were elected : Thomas Stower, of Willsborough ; William
Smith, of Essex, and Gideon Hammond, of Westport. The board expended
the sum of $5,358.48 on the almshouse premises during this year. The county
building has undergone several important improvements since its erection.
The first was made in 1849, when $750 were expended, and in 1859 what was
substantially a new building was erected on the same site ; it was a brick
structure j6 by 38 feet and two stories in height, and cost $3,000. The con-
tractors were Dowling & Prescott, of Keeseville. It was finished in March,
i860. A further addition was made in 1873-74, consisting of a brick struct-
ure two stories high and 84 by 32 feet; and a new brick milk-house, 16 by
20 feet was erected, the whole costing in round figures, $10,000. The build-
ers were Prescott & Weston, of Keeseville.
The buildings now in use by the county, including out-buildings, are estiv
mated to be worth $20,000, while the total value of farm and buildings, stock,
etc., is placed at $35,000.
County Seat, Buildings, Societies, etc. 277
The last report of the superintendent of the poor (1884) gives the following
statistics : The whole number of paupers provided for at the county house
during the year was 133 ; the whole number admitted during the year was 70;
the whole number discharged during the year was 60 ; the number of paupers
who have died during the year are 9 ; the number of births are 4 ; the average
number provided for during the year was 70^ ; the cost for the support of
each pauper during the year was $50.18 ; the cost per week for each pauper
at the same time was .96-^; the cost per day for each pauper was .13-1-4 ; the
whole number of paupers in the county house at this date is 70.
The products of the county farm for the last year, per report, were as fol-
lows: 50 tons of hay, id tons straw, 7 tons corn stalks, 265 bushels ears of
corn, 442 bushels oats, 26 bushels barley, 32 bushels peas, 20 bushels beans,
1,100 bushels beets, 225 bushels carrots, 30 bushels turnips, 1,000 bushels
potatoes, 300 heads of cabbage. Have also made 1,100 pounds of butter, 105
dozen candles, 21 barrels of soap.
Taking the superintendents of the poor from the year 1834, they have been
as follows: 1834, Thomas Stower, James S. Whallon and Gideon Hammond;
1 83 5 to 1 839 inclusive, there were no changes; 1 840, James G. Livingston, Gideon
Hammond and Abel Baldwin; 1841-42, the same; 1843, Solomon Everest,
Abel Baldwin and James G. Livingston; 1844-45, the same; 1846, EH W.
Rogers, H. J. Persons, and William S. Merriam ; 1847 to 185 1 inclusive, Hi-
ram Fancher, Solomon Everest and James G. Livingston; 1852, Hiram Fan-
cher and John Smith; 1853 to 1856 inclusive, John Smith ; 1857 to 1862 in-
clusive, Daniel Piatt; 1863 to 1871 inclusive, David Jones; 1872 to 1881 in-
clusive, Benajah Tyrrell; 1882 to present time, Charles N. Holt.
The keepers of the county house have been as follows : From the first to
1842, Asa Frisbie; 1843 to 1845 inclusive, Weston Shattuck ; 1846, Samuel
Flack; 1847 to 1851 inclusive, Mrs. A. H. Flack; from 1852 to 1862 inclu-
sive, George H. Blin; 1863 to 1875 inclusive, Norman P. Rowell; 1876 to
1881 inclusive, Hosea B. Howard; 1882 and at present, Alexis Hinckley.
The Essex County Agricultural Society. — This society was first organized
in 1849, with J. N. Macomber as president; Norman Page, treasurer, and
Jonathan F. Morgan, secretary. The first fair was held in September of the
same year, in Keeseville, on grounds of and in connection with the Clinton
County Society. In 1850 W. C. Watson was elected president of the society,
from which event the organization gained a fresh impetus and under his wise
and energetic management, soon attained a position of prominence among the
agricultural societies of the State. The fair of 1850 was held also in Keese-
ville, after which and to the year 1865, they were held at Elizabethtown. At
the latter date the prospects of the society had become discouraging, its finan-
ces depressed and bankruptcy threatened. But new life was again infused into
the society and it was determined to place it again on a prosperous foundation.
278 History of Essex County.
Grounds were leased near the southern end of the village of Westport, at an
annual rental of $150 for fifteen years. Renewed energy was displayed in the
management of the affairs of the organization and successful meetings followed.
In 1 88 1 the society purchased the grounds now occupied by it, near the West-
port depot, expended about $1,200 in buildings, constructed a trotting track
and paid $1,500 for the grounds — an investment that has since been all paid
up. The present officers of the society are as follows : President, Jonathan
Mather, of Whallonsburgh, town of Essex ; vice-president, Peter Ferris, of
Westport ; secretary, George C. Osborne ; treasurer, A. E. Williams ; executive
committee, Augustus Holt, Rufus Hodgkins, H. H. Merrill, Bernard Boyle, J.
S. Howard, C. B. Sprague.
CHAPTER XXHI.
THE BENCH AND BAR OF ESSEX COUNTY.i
The Judiciary of New York — Court of Appeals — Supreme Court — County Court — Surrogate's
Court— Justice's Court and Special Sessions— The Bench of Essex County — General Character of
the Bar — Members of Her former Bar — The Present Bar — Sketches of Eminent Dead.
TO properly understand the history of the judiciary of any nation or com-
munity and the worth and attainments of the magistrates and practicion-
ers at its bar, some knowledge of the origin and development of the machinery
and spirit of this branch of government is indispensable.
It is commonly thought and expressed that the judicial system of New
York State is largely copied or derived from the common law of England,
and slightly from the civil law of the continent. It is true that many resem-
blances to each, may be traced therein, but this arises simply from the fact that
there are certain changeless principles running through the laws of every state
and people, from the time of Moses to that of Victoria. Such principles are
few and often obscured by the varying manifestations given to them by differ-
ent law-makers. And although a close study of the laws and judicial practice
in, this State will disclose the possession of some principles in common with
English and Continental laws, yet the same study will as surely reveal the fact
that in spirit and form, the judicial system of New York is an original growth,
and differs radically from the old systems of Europe. The difference in the
germinal idea which underlies and gives character to the systems is strikingly
manifested in the simple matter of entitling a criminal writ. In this State it
is The People vs. the Criminal ; in England it is Rex. vs. the Criminal. In
1 Prepared by A. W. Boynton, Esq., of Keeseville, N. Y.
The Bench and Bar. 279
the genius of the one the requirement is an independent judiciary responsible
directly to the people only ; in the other it is a court subservient to the king.
But this great idea of the sovereignty of the people, even over the laws, has
had a slow, conservative, yet progressive and systematic unfolding of the germ
into the outward organism. In the early history of the State the governor
was in effect the maker, interpreter and enforcer of the laws. He could veto
any enactment of the Legislature. He was chief judge of the Court of Final
Resort, and those who sat in council with him were generally his obedient fol-
lowers. The execution of the English and colonial statutes rested with him^
as did the exercise of the royal authority and wishes in the colony. It was
not until the first constitution in 1777 that he ceased to contend for these pre-
rogatives, and to act as though the only functions of the courts and councilors
were to act as his servants and helpers ; and of the Legislature to aid in pre-
paring such laws as he approved. By that constitution he was entirely stripped
of the judicial power which he possessed under the colonial rule, and such power
was vested in the lieutenant-governor and Senate, the chancellor and just-
ices of the Supreme Court ; the former to be elected by the people, and the
latter appointed by the council. Under this constitution there was the first
radical separation of the judicial and legislative powers, and the advancement
of the judiciary to the position of a superior department of the government*
subject only to the limitation consequent upon the appointment of its members
by the council. Even this restriction was soon felt to be incompatible. With
the spirit of the commonwealth and by the constitution of 1 846, the last con-
nection between the purely political and judicial parts of the State government
was abolished ; and with it disappeared the last remaining relic of the colonial
period. From this time on the judiciary became more directly representative
of the people in the election by them of its members. The development of
the idea of the responsibility of the courts to the people from the time when
all their members were at the beck and nod of one well nigh irresponsible
master, to the time when all judges, even of the Court of Final Resort, are
voted for directly by the people, has been remarkable. Yet through all this
change the idea of one ultimate tribunal from whose decision there can be no
appeal has prevailed.
Let us look briefly at the present arrangement and powers of the courts of
the State and then at the elements from which they have grown. The whole
scheme is involved in the idea of first a trial before a magistrate and jury — arbi-
ters respectively of law and fact — and then a review by a higher tribunal of the
facts and law, and ultimately of the law by a court of last resort. To accom-
plish the purposes of this scheme there have been devised and established, first,
the present Court of Appeals, the ultimate tribunal of the State, perfected in
its present form by the conventions of 1867 and 1868 and ratified by a vote
of the people in 1869 ; and taking the place of the old Court for the Trial of
28o History of Essex County.
Impeachments and the Correction of Errors to the extent of correcting errors
of law. As first organized under the Constitution of 1846 the Court of Ap-
peals was composed of eight judges, four of whom were elected by the people
and the remainder chosen from the justices of the Supreme Court having the
shortest time to serve. The judges elected by the people were so classified
that an election took place every odd year. The judges chosen from the Su-
preme Court were taken from the first, third, fifth and seventh districts each
even year, and from the second, fourth, sixth and eighth each odd year, and
served one year. The chief judge was the judge, elected by the people, who
had the shortest time to serve. The court also had a clerk who was elected
by the people, and a reporter appointed by the governor, lieutenant-governor
and attorney- general, each for three years.
As re-organized in 1869, and now existing, the court consists of a chief
judge and six associate judges, who hold office for the term of fourteen years
from and including the first day of January after their election. Under this
arrangement the first judges were chosen at a special election, held in April,
1870; each elector voting for a chief judge and four associates only. All
vacancies arising from death or other cause are to be filled at the next general
election happening not less than three months after such vacancy occurs ; and
until so filled the governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, or, if the
Senate is not in session, the governor alone, may appoint a person to fill the
vacancy. The court is continually in session at the capitol in Albany, except
as it takes a recess from time to time upon its own motion. It has full power
to correct or reverse the decisions of all inferior courts when properly before it
for review. Five judges constitute a quorum, and four must concur to render
judgment. If four do not agree, the case must be re-argued; but no more
than two rehearings can be had, and if then four judges do not concur, the
judgment of the court below stands affirmed. The Legislature has provided
by statute how and when the proceedings and decisions of inferior tribunals
may be reviewed in the Court of Appeals, and may, in its discretion, alter or
amend the same. The judges are prohibited from holding any other office or
place of public trust, or exercising any power of appointment to such place,
and from practicing as attorney or counselor, or acting as referee. They are
removable by concurrent resolution of both houses of the Legislature upon a
two-thirds vote of each house. The judges before 1857 received $2,500 per
year salary; from that date to 1870 $3,500 ; since then the chief judge receives
$7,500 and the associates $7,000, with $2,000 allowed each for expenses.
The judges can hold office until seventy years of age only, but any judge of
the Court of Appeals or justice of the Supreme Court whose term of office is
abridged by this limitation, and who has served ten years or more, can draw
his salary for the term to which he was elected. The court now appoints its
own clerk and reporter, each at a salary of $5,000 a year. The clerk keeps
The Bench and Bar. 281
his office at the capitol; and in it are deposited all records of the court, and of
the former Court of Errors, Supreme Court, Court of Chancery and Court of
Probate. Upon the re-organization of the court in 1869 its work was far in
arrears, and the law commonly known as the Judiciary Act provided for a
Commission of Appeals for three years — afterward extended to five — to aid
the Court of Appeals. By this device the court was relieved for the time being,
but is again hopelessly behind its work, and at no distant day must be again as-
sisted to perform the immense labor imposed upon it either in a similar way,
or by an addition to the number of its members.
The Supreme Court. — Second to the Court of Appeals in rank and juris-
diction stands the Supreme Court, which, as it now exists, is made up of many
and widely different elements. It was originally established by an act of the
Legislature, May 6th, 1691, and finally by ordinance of the governor and
council. May 15 th, 1699; and empowered to try all issues, civil, criminal or
mixed, to the same extent as the English Courts of King's Bench, Common
Pleas and Exchequer, except in the exercise of equity powers. It had juris-
diction of action involving $100 or upwards, and to revise and correct the
decisions of inferior courts. An appeal lay from it to the governor and
council. The judges annually made a circuit of the counties, under a commis-
sion naming them, issued by the governor, and giving them nisi prius, oyer
and terminer, and jail delivery powers. At first there were five judges. The
court was re-organized by the constitution of 1777, under which the judges
were to be named by the council of appointment, and the term of their office
was limited to the age of sixty years. All proceedings were directed to be en-
titled in the name of the people, instead of that of the king. In 1786 a law
was passed requiring the court to try all causes in the county where they arose,
unless the'court should order them to be tried at the bar of the court. By
the constitution of 1821 many and important changes were made in the char-
acter and methods of the court. The judges were reduced to three and ap-
pointed by the governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, to hold office
during good behavior, or until sixty years of age. They could be removed
by the Legislature, when two-thirds of the Assembly and a majority of the
Senate so voted. The judges were not subject to military duty; could hold no
other office; could receive no fees; could not practice as attorneys or counsel-
ors and could not sit in any case in which they were directly or indirectly in-
terested, nor take part in reviewing any case passed upon by them in any
other court. Each justice, as well as judge, could preside at circuits and in
oyer and terminer. Four times a year the full court sat in review of their
decisions upon questions of law.
By the constitution of 1846 the Supreme Court as it then existed was
abolished, and a new court of the same name and having general jurisdiction
in law and equity, was estabHshed in its place. This court was divided into
282 History of Essex County.
General Terms, Circuits, Special Terms and Oyer and Terminer. Its mem-
bers were composed of thirty-three justices, to be elected by the people, and
to reside, five in the first, and four in each of the seven other judicial districts
into which the State was divided. They were so classified that one in each
district should go out of office every two years; and were subject to substan-
tially the same restrictions and rules as under the former constitution. The
term of ofiice of any subsequently elected member was to be eight years. By
the judiciary act of 1847 General Terms were to be held in each county of the
State having over 40,000 inhabitants, at least once in each year, and in other
counties at least once in two years; and at least two Special Terms and two
Circuit Courts were to be held yearly in each county, except Hamilton. By
this act the court was authorized to name the times and places of holding its
terms, and those of the Oyer and Terminer; which was made a part of the
Circuit Court, to be held by the justice and the county judge and two justices
of sessions. Since 1882 the Oyer and Terminer consists of a single justice of
the Supreme Court.
By an act of the Legislature, adopted in 1848, and entitled the Code of
Procedure, all distinctions between actions at law and suits in equity were
abolished, so far as the manner of commencing and conducting the same is
concerned, and one uniform method of practice in all actions was provided.
Under this act appeals lay to the General Term of the Supreme Court from
judgments rendered in justice, mayor's, or recorder's and county courts and
from orders and decisions of a justice at Special Term or Circuit, and from judg-
ments rendered at any trial term of the Supreme Court.
In 1869 the judiciary article of the constitution of 1846 was amended, but
continued the existing Supreme Court with the same jurisdiction. By this
amendment it was provided that the Legislature should, from time tO time, not
oftener than once in five years, provide for the organization of General Terms
consisting of a presiding justice and not more than three associates. It also direct-
ed the holding of General Terms in each of the districts. In case of vacancy in
the office of justice, the governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, if in
session, or if not, then alone, could appoint a person to fill the office until the
next general election held not less than three months after the vacancy occurred.
The justices were to be elected by the voters of their respective districts, and
were to hold office for fourteen years, subject to removal by a two-thirds vote
of the Legislature after charges preferred, and opportunity for hearing given.
Their term of office was limited to the age of seventy years.
By chapter 408 of the laws of 1870 the then organization of the General
Terms was abrogated, and the State divided into four departments and pro-
vision made for holding the General Terms in each. By the same act the gov-
ernor was directed to designate from among the justices of the Supreme Court
a presiding justice and two associates to constitute a General Term in each de-
The Bench and Bar. 283
partment. The presiding justice was to hold his place during his official term
and the associates for five years. The justices of each department once in two
years were to prepare appointments of Circuits, Oyer and Terminer and Special
Terms and designate the justice to hold each ; and if for any reason the justice
named to hold any court could not do so, the governor could appoint some
other justice to hold the court in his place. In June, 1877, the Legislature en-
acted the Code of Civil Procedure to take the place of the Code of 1 848. By
this act many minor changes in the practice of the court were made. Among
them a provision that every two years the justices of the General Terms, and
the chief judges of the Superior City Courts, should meet and revise and es-
tablish general rules of practice for all the courts of record in the State except
the Court of Appeals.
By an amendment to the constitution, adopted in 1879, one additional jus-
tice was provided for in the second district. Under the authority of another
amendment, adopted in 1882, the Legislature, by chapter 329 of the laws of
1883, divided the State into five judicial departments, and provided for the
election of twelve additional justices to hold office from the first Monday of June,
1884 ; two of them to reside in each of the first, fifth, seventh and eighth, and
one in each of the second, third, fourth and sixth judicial districts ; and for a
General Term in each department.
These are, in brief, the changes through which the Supreme Court of the
State of New York has passed in its growth from the prerogative of an irre-
sponsible governor to one of the most independent and enlightened instrumen-
talities for the protection and attainment of the rights of its citizens, of which
any state or nation, ancient or modern, can rightfully boast. So well is this
fact understood by the people that by far the greater amount of business which
might be done in inferior courts at less expense, is actually taken to this court
for settlement
County Courts. — Next in inferiority of rank and jurisdiction to the Supreme
Court are the County Courts ; held in and for each county of the State, at
such times and places as its judges may direct. This court had its origin in the
English Court of Sessions, and, like it, at first had criminal jurisdiction only.
By an act of the Legislature, passed in 1683, a Court of Sessions, having power
to try all causes civil and criminal by a jury, was directed to be held by three
justices of the peace, in each of the twelve counties of the province twice a
year ; with one additional term in Albany and two in New York. By the act
of 1 69 1 and the decree of 1699, referred" to in connection with the Supreme
Court, all civil jurisdiction was taken away from this court and conferred upon
the Court of Common Pleas. By the constitution of 1846, which made such
sweeping changes in all the courts of the State, provision was made for a
County Court in each of the counties of the State, except New York, to be
held by an officer to be designated the county judge, and to have such juris-
284 History of Essex County.
diction as the Legislature might prescribe. Under the authority of this con-
stitution the County Courts have been given, from time to time, jurisdiction in
action of assumpsit, debt and covenant in sums not exceeding two thousand
dollars ; in replevin, not exceeding one' thousand ; and in actions for trespass
and personal injury, not to exceed five hundred dollars. These courts have
also been invested with equity powers to foreclose mortgages ; to sell infants'
real estate ; to partition lands ; to admeasure dower and to care for the persons
and estates of lunatics and habitual drunkards. The judiciary act of 1869 con-
tinued the existing jurisdiction of County Courts and conferred upon them origi-
nal jurisdiction in all actions in which the defendant lived within the county, and
the damages claimed did not exceed one thousand dollars. Like the Supreme
Court the County Court now has its civil and criminal side. In criminal mat-
ters the county judge is assisted by two justices of sessions, elected by the
people from among justices of the peace in the county ; and sitting during the
term for which they were elected as justice of the peace. It is in the criminal
side of this court, known as the Sessions, that all the minor criminal offenses
are now disposed of All indictments by the grand jury except for murder or
some very serious felony are sent to it for trial from the Oyer and Terminer.
By the Codes of 1848 and 1877 the methods of procedure and practice and
the jurisdiction and control of actions arising within the county or against cit-
izens of the county, were made to conform as nearly as possible to the prac-
tice and jurisdiction in the Supreme Court. This was done with the evident
design of attracting litigation into these courts and thus relieving the Supreme
Court. But in this purpose there has been failure ; litigants much preferring
the shield and assistance of the broader powers of the Supreme Court. By
the judiciary act the term of office of county judges was extended from four
to six years. Under the codes he can perform some of the duties of a justice
of the Supreme Court at Chambers. The County Court has appellate juris-
diction over actions arising in Justice Courts and Courts of Special Sessions.
Surrogate Courts. — These courts, one of which exists in each county of
the State, are now Courts of Record, having a seal ; and their especial juris-
diction is the settlement and care of estates of persons who have died either
with or without a will, and of infants. The derivation of the powers and prac-
tice of the Surrogate Courts in New York State is from the Ecclesiastical Court
of England, through a part of the Colonial Council, which existed during the
rule of the Dutch, and exercised its authority in accordance with the Dutch
Roman law, the custom of Amsterdam, and the law of Aasdom ; the Court of
Burgomasters and Schepens, the Court of Orphan Masters, the Mayor's Court,
the Prerogative Court and the Court of Probates. The settlement of estates
and the guardianship of orphans which was at first vested in the Director Gen-
eral and Council of New Netherland was transferred to the Burgomasters in
1653, and soon after, at their request, was transferred to the Orphan Masters.
The Bench and Bar. 285
Under the colony the Prerogative Court controlled all matters in relation to
the probate of wills and settlement of estates. This power continued until
1692 when by act of legislature all probates and granting of letters of admin-
istration were to be under the hand of the governor or his delegate ; and two
freeholders were to be appointed in each town to take charge of the estates of
persons dying without a will. Under the Duke's laws this duty had been per-
formed by the constables, overseers and justices of each town. All wills were
to be probated in New York, either directly or upon proof taken before and
transmitted there by the Court of Common Pleas. In 1778 the governor was
divested of all this power except the appointment of surrogates, and it was
conferred upon the judges of the Court of Probates. Under the first constitu-
tion surrogates were appointed by the Council of Appointment, and held office
until removed for cause shown. Under the second constitution they were ap-
pointed by the governor, with the consent of the Senate, and held office for
four years. The Constitution of 1846 abrogated the office of surrogate in all
counties having less than forty thousand inhabitants and conferred its powers
and duties upon the county judge. By chapter 175 of laws of 185 1, the peo-
ple were authorized to elect a surrogate in each other county to hold office for
six years. By the Code of Civil Procedure surrogates were invested with all
necessary powers to carry out the equitable and incidental requirements of their
office, a much needed authority in view of the rule which had formerly ob-
tained, that the Surrogate's Court was one of limited jurisdiction, and the sur-
rogate had no powers except those which were expressly given him by statute.
In its present form, and sitting weekly at the county seat of each county, Sur-
rogate's Courts affiDrd a cheap and expeditious medium for the care and settle-
ment of estates and the guardianship of infants.
Justice Court and Court of Special Sessions. — The only remaining courts
which are common to the whole State are the Special Sessions held by a jus-
tice of the peace for the trial of minor criminal offenses ; Justice Courts with a
limited civil jurisdiction. Previous to the Constitution of 1846 justices of the
peace were appointed, since, that time they have been elected by the people.
The office and its duties are descended from the English office of the same
name, but are much less important, and under the laws of this State, purely
the creature of statute. A justice of the peace can exercise only such authority
as is expressly given him by statutes. The office of justice is of very little
importance in the administration of law, and with the loss of much of its old
time power has lost all of its former dignity.
This brief survey of the courts of New York, which omits only those that
are local in character, such as the Superior City Courts, Common Pleas of
New York City, Recorder's and Police Courts, gives some idea of the machinery
provided for the use of the members of the bench and bar at the time of the
foundation of Essex county in 1799.
286 History of Essex County.
essex county bar.
In its personnel and practice the bench and bar of Essex county have
always stood in the front rank. Among its members have always been some
of the best judicial minds in the State. Beginning with the organization of the
county and continuing to the present time, there have been leaders at its
circuits whose character and attainments have placed them among the first in
the profession; and whose influence has been so pervading and salutary that
the whole bar has caught something of their spirit, and maintained a freedom
from all unworthy methods that can be found in very few communities.
The Bench. — In a comparatively new county like Essex, where the citizens
are more occupied with the work of agriculture and the developments of the
natural resources of the earth, then with thoughts of litigation ; and where the
subject matter of actions is seldom large or involves many parties, there is little
opportunity for the judges who preside over its courts to make any extended
reputation as jurists. Yet from the election of the first county judge to the
present time, the offices of judge and surrogate of the county have been filled
by men of force, ability and integrity.
The first county judge, Daniel Ross, was most fittingly selected to be the
first of the line. Mr. Ross moved from Duchess county to the present site of
Essex village (then in the town of Willsborough), in 1784; afterwards married
Elizabeth, daughter of William Gilliland, and was the founder of one of the
most respected families in the county. Among his descendants were several
lawyers of unusual ability. The family still occupy the ancestral home on the
shore of Lake Champlain.
Mr. Ross resided for a short time in Clinton county and was its sheriff from
1794 to 1 797 inclusive; and its member of Assembly in 1798. He was first
elected judge of Essex county, November loth, 1800, and held the office until
January 22d, 1823, a length of service which proves the esteem in which the
people of the county held him.
He was succeeded in the judgeship by Dean Edson, of the same town, who
was judge until February 2d, 1831. He had also been district attorney from
1 82 1 to 1828. About 183s Mr. Edson removed to western New York, leav-
ing no descendants in Essex county, and very little record of his life or work.
The third county judge was Reuben Whallon, who was elected in 1831,
and continued in the office until April 1 8th, 1838, when he was succeeded by
Wolcott Tyrell. Judge Tyrell will long be remembered as the author of a
charge as sententious as it was true. At the end of a hotly-contested, and
somewhat important trial. His Honor turned to the jury, and solemnly gaz-
ing over his spectacles, addressed them in this wise: "Gentlemen of the jury,
you have heard all of this case, and the talk of the lawyers; you know your
duty better than I can tell you; gentlemen, go out and do your duty." Yet^
withal, the shrewd, hard common sense of the judge often stood him well in-
stead of the greater erudition of some of his judicial brethren.
The Bench and Bar. 287
Henry H. .Ross was the first judge and surrogate elected under the new
constitution. He acted for a little over a year, and then resigned to attend to
his many other duties. Of his work as judge an estimate will be found in the
following sketches of eminent memberg of the bar.
Hon. John E. McVine was next elected county judge and surrogate in
1848, and re-elected in 1852. He was succeeded in 1856 by Robert S. Hale,
a sketch of whom is given among the distinguished lawyers of the county.
The only living persons who have held the office of county judge are the
Hon. Byron Pond and Hon. Francis A. Smith, the present incumbent, both of
Elizabethtown. Judge Pond was elected in 1864, and held the office for fourteen
years; during which time he acquired a well-deserved reputation as an able and
fearless magistrate. Called, on one occasion, to preside in the place of the judge
of a neighboring county, it became the duty of Judge Pond to pass sentence
upon a number of offenders against the excise law. Many of them were men
of influence who had been accustomed to pay a small fine in place of procur-
ing a license, and had repeatedly violated the law, in reliance upon the influ-
ence of themselves and their friends to enable them to escape its penalties.
Upon learning this state of facts, Judge Pond imposed upon them the largest
fine allowed by law, and in several cases imprisonment in addition. The act
was typical of his usual fearless justice in dealing with criminals.
Hon. Francis A. Smith was elected to the office in 1878, and brought to its
duties great learning and untiring energy, which, united with patient and con-
scientious care for the interests of all parties before him, have given all his
judicial acts much weight among both lawyers and laymen.
Surrogates. — Of the comparatively uneventful course of the Surrogate
Court of the county little can be said beyond giving the names and time of
the persons who have held the office. The earliest records of the court begin
with the year 1802, but the first appointed to the office was William Gilliland,
in the year 1800. Mr. Gilliland acted from March 24th of that year until
October 29th, 1801. He represented Essex and Clinton counties in the As-
sembly in the year 1800.
James McRea, the next surrogate, was a lawyer who practiced in the town
of Essex from about 1800 to the time of his death in 18 18. He was in office
from 1 80 1 to March 14th, 1807, and was then succeeded by Thomas Tredwell,
who held the office eight years.
The other surrogates down to the time when the office became incorporated
with that of county judge, and the length of time they served, were, Ezra C.
Gross, 1815 to 1 8 19; Ashley Pond, 18 19 to 1821 ; John Calkins, 1821 to
1831; Augustus C. Hand, 1831 to 1840; Orlando Kellogg, 1840 to 1844;
Robert W. Livingston, 1844 to 1847. Mr. Livingston is the only one of the
number who is now living, and is the oldest member of the bar in Essex county,
and knows more of the men and growth of the county than any other man
in it.
288 History of Essex County.
Members of the Bar. — Extended as Essex county is over an area of 1650
square miles and divided into eighteen towns, some of them greater in area
than many of the counties of the State and constituting almost independent
communities, it may be interesting to enumerate the members of the bar of
the county with reference to their residence in the different towns ; so far as
they can now be ascertained, in the towns of Keene, Lewis, Minerva, Newcomb,
North Elba, North Hudson, Schroon, St. Armand and Wilmington, no lawyer
is recorded to have maintained his abode for any length of time.
Chesterfield. — In this town there have lived, practiced and died, the Hon.
Ezra C. Gross, who was surrogate of Essex county for four years following
1815, and Member of Assembly from the same county for the years 1828 and
1829. Mr. Gross was a man of bright intellect, and for a time a leading law-
yer in the county. Gardiner Stow, who was district attorney for Essex county
from 1833 to 1844, and made his home at Elizabeth town, and who was a man
of gr&at learning and ability. Thomas A. Tomlinson who was a resident of
the town for a great many years, and closely identified with all the business
interests of the village of Keeseville in which he resided. He was Member of
Assembly for Essex county in 1835 and 1836, and Member of Congress from
the district which included that county in 1841 and 1842. His business career
was attended with great success. The Hon. Winslow C. Watson, a lifelong
resident, and the author of an excellent history of Essex county and other
works. Thomas B. Watson. Hon. George A. Simmons, of whom more ap-
propriate mention will be made among the eminent men of the bar. The Hon.
Samuel Ames, who was one of the State commissioners of accounts in 1865,
and State Senator from Essex, Clinton and Warren counties in 1872 and 1873.
Mr. Ames was a man of great native vigor of mind and clearness of percep-
tion, and would doubtless have attained eminence as a lawyer had it not been
for the demands of business in which he was largely interested, and his early
death at a time when he had just reached the maturity of his powers. He was
born in Napierville, Canada, June 29th, 1824, and died in Keeseville, July 4th,
1875. He studied law with Hon. George A. Simmons and afterward became
his partner. While in the Senate, although a new member, his ability was so
marked that he was assigned to the committee on judiciary, internal affairs,
poor laws, and made chairman of the committe on State prisons. In sagacity
and ability as a counselor and in the management of business affairs, Mr. Ames
had few superiors.
Crown Point. — This town, although one of the wealthiest in the county,
has been singularly neglected by attorneys. The only lawyers who have prac-
ticed- there are Samuel A. Gibson, who moved there from Ticonderoga about
1 81 5. Amos Bigelow, who succeeded him about 1830 ; Judge A. C. Hand,
for a short time only ; Chauncey Fenton, who spent his life there ; Henry Ha-
vens, for a time and then removed to Oakland, California ; Wm. McVine, for
The Bench and Bar. 289
a short tim'e about 1850; Simeon W. Crammond and his brother William,
the first of whom gave up practice and the latter of whom is deceased ; ^nd
Libeus Haskill, who came there from Ticonderoga about 1832. Mr. Haskill
was a man of decided talent and of extended reputation.
Elizabethtown. — This town being the county seat has always had a con-
siderable number of attorneys. Among the number of whom record remains
was John Catlin, John S. Chipman, Edward S. Cuyler, Hon. A. C. Hand, Hon.
Orlando Kellogg, Hon. Robert S. Hale.
Essex. — The first attorney in this town was Daniel Ross, who resided there
from 1784 until his death in 1847. Cotemporaneous with him was Hon. Ralph
Hascall who practiced there from about 1800 to the time of his death in 1825.
Mr. Hascall was a State Sentor from 181 1 to 18 19 inclusive, and district
attorney of Essex county from 18 18 to 1821. He was for a time a partner
of Gen. Henry H. Ross, who was a life long resident of Essex, and a sketch of
whose life and work will be given. Other attorneys of this town were Dean
Edson, who has been noticed among the judges of his county ; Col. David B.
McNeil, who practiced there from about iSiOto 1825, and who was a colonel in
the militia and in the army at the battle of Plattsburg. He was district attorney
from 1828 to 1833. William Hough, who practiced there a few years about 1810;
James McRea from 1 800 to 1 8 1 8 ; Edward S. Shumway from 1 840 to the time of
his death in 1853, and whawas a school commissioner from 1843 to 1847, 3^"^
district attorney from 1851 to 1852. Captain WiUiam D. Ross, eldest son of
Gen. Henry H. Ross, practiced from 1851 to time of his death in the Union
army in 1861. James B. Ross, second son of Judge Henry H. Ross, and now
of Denver, Colorado ; Henry H. Ross, son of James B. Ross, admitted in
1881, and died in 1882 at Denver, Colorado; Colonel John L. Cunningham
practiced in Essex in 1859 to 1861, then went into the army, and on his return
became secretary of the Glens Falls Insurance Company, a position he still
holds.
Willsborough. — The one attorney whom this town boasts, either living or
dead, is Martin Aiken, who was born in that town in 1791, and who built the
first, last and only law office therein.
Jay. — Of departed practitioners within its bounds this town can name two,
Joseph Whitley and Richard C. R. Chase. The latter was admitted to the bar
in 1850 and practiced at Ausable Forks until 1876. He died in 1883.
Moriah. — In this town there were in practice from 1 830, the first time at
which there is any record, to the present, Zebulon R. Shipherd, John F. Ha-
vens, Benjamin F. Hyde, Jonathan Tarbell, James P. Butler, who was district
attorney from 1852 to 1855 ; Philander Butler, Hon. John E. McVine, who was
county judge from 1848 to 1856; James W. Sheehy, who was a Member of
Assembly in 1881 and 1882 ; Hon. F. W. Tobey, who was State Senator from
1874 to 1878, Member of Assembly in 1872 and 1873, and died in 1879.
19
290 History of Essex County.
Ticonderoga. — Upon the roll of its dead this town has the names of the
following attorneys : Samuel S. Bigelow, who practiced about 18 10 and after ;
Samuel A. Gibson from 1 8 1 2 to 1 8 1 5 and afterwards in Crown Point ; Lem-
uel H. Wicker ; Henry Northup ; Libeus Haskill, afterwards moved to Crown
Point ; John S. Chipman, who moved to Elizabethtown, and from there " went
west " and was sent to Congress and afterwards wrote a somewhat extensive
treatise upon the science of government; Jonathan Burnet, who for many
years was the principal practitioner in the southern part of the county. He
was born in Bethel, Vt. in July, 1799, graduated at Dartmouth College in
1 8 19, read law with Counselor Walbridge in Lansingburgh, came to Ticonder-
oga in 1827 and lived there until the time of his death in 1867. He was a
Master in Chancery, Member of Assembly in 1853 and 1854; and was a man
of superior endowment and attainment, and through life a great student and
devoted to the profession which he had adopted. Eliphalet Piersons, for some
years before and after 1834, and was the preceptor of Moses T. Clough, now a
successful attorney of Troy, N. Y. Mr. Clough graduated at Dartmouth in
1834, at the age of nineteen, came directly to Ticonderoga and studied and
practiced law there for many years. He was district attorney from 1847 to
1850, and was a man greatly respected for his talent and character. William
Calkins, who came to Ticonderoga from Vermont in 1831, was a graduate of
Dartmouth, read law in the office of Judge Carpenter, of the Vermont Supreme
Court, was admitted in this State in 1836 and practiced at Ticonderoga until
his death in 1855. He was for many years school commissioner. Mr. Calkins
left an excellent reputation and an honored memory. George R. Andrews
was admitted to the bar in 1836, became a successful lawyer, was a Member
of the Thirty-first Congress, afterward moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and died
there. Many others have engaged in the practice of law in Ticonderoga of
whose history little more than their names remain. Among such are James J.
Stevens, Richard Smith, Augustus Haight, Charles N. Flint, Martin F. Nich-
olson, Alfred Weed, Jonas Wicker, Cyrus Blanchard, M. L. McLaren and
William Crammond. John C. Hollenbeck was for some years an attorney in
Ticonderoga, and is now in the great West.
Westport. — This town alone rivals Willsborough in the unity of its legal
profession. Mr. Charles Hatch being its only son and representative.
THE PRESENT BAR.
The following attorneys, named in the order of their seniority, are now in
active practice of the law in Essex county : —
Hon. Martin Finch, of Keeseville, graduate of Williams College, admitted
in 1840, Member of Assembly in 1862 and 1863, district attorney from 1864
to 1867.
Thomas D. Trumbull, of Ausable Forks, studied with Gardiner Stow and
Dennis Stetson, admitted in 1848.
The Bench and Bar. 291
Hon. William E. Calkins, of Ticonderoga, Member of Assembly in 1875
and 1876, county clerk from i860 to 1872.
Hon. A. B. Waldo, of Port Henry, senior member of the firm of Waldo &
Grover, graduate of Burlington University, member of State Constitutional
Commission of 1872, district attorney from 1861 to 1864.
Hon. Palmer E. Havens, of. Essex, been in practice thirty-five years.
Member of Assembly 1862, 1863 and 1867, State Senator, 1864 and 1865.
Charles F. Tabor, of Keeseville.
John C. Fenton, of Ticonderoga.
Hon. Byron Pond, senior member of Pond & Brown, of Elizabethtown,
county judge from 1864 to 1878, district attorney from 1858 to 1861.
Richard L. Hand, of Elizabethtown, son of Judge Augustus C. Hand,
graduate of Union College, holds his father's position as leader of the Essex
county bar.
Hon. Francis A. Smith, of Elizabethtown, born in Salisbury, Mass., in
1837, admitted to New York bar in i860, practiced for short time at Johns-
town and Fonda, partner of late Hon. Robert S. Hale, of Essex county, county
judge since 1878.
Hon. Marcus D. Grover, of Port Henry, Member of Vermont Legislature,
moved to Granville, Washington county, N. Y., assistant district attorney, and
partner of Hon. R. C. Betts, came to Port Henry and entered into partnership
with A. B. Waldo and Hon. Franklin W. Tobey.
Arod K. Dudley, of Elizabethtown, district attorney from 1867 to 1876.
Milo C. Perry, of Elizabethtown.
Bovette B. Bishop, of Moriah Centre.
Rowland C. Kellogg, of Elizabethtown, son of Hon. Orlando Kellogg,
graduate of Albany Law School, admitted in 1 867, present district attorney.
Anthony J. B. Ross, of Essex, son of General Henry H. Ross, admitted in
1872, always practiced there, now supervisor.
T. D. Trumbull, jr., of Ausable Forks.
F. A. Rowe, of Keeseville.
Robert Dornburgh, of Ticonderoga.
Harry Hale, of Elizabethtown, son of Hon. Robert S. Hale.
Walter S. Brown, of Elizabethtown, of firm of Pond & Brown.
William R. Kellogg, of Elizabethtown.
Patrick C. McRory, Benjamin F. Beers, Kingsley C. Morehouse, C. K.
Flint, Chester B. McLaughlin, graduate of Vermont University, present school
commissioner Second district, Edward T. Stokes ; the last six named of Port
Henry.
George W. Watkins, of Moriah.
William F. Hickey, of Crown Point.
Adelbert W. Boynton, of Keeseville, graduate of Vermont University,
studied law with Hon. Robert S. Hale, admitted in 1882.
292 History of Essex County.
Thomas F. Conway, of Keeseville, junior in firm of Boynton & Conway.
In addition to the members of the bar of Essex county already mentioned,
there are many others who have removed from the county after practicing
there, and achieved extended distinction. Among these are notably, Hon.
Samuel Hand, of Albany ; Hon. Matthew Hale, of Albany ; Judge Melville A.
Sheldon, of Glens Falls ; Hon. Charles E. Shaw, of New York ; Hon. Adol-
phus Markham and George Markham, of Milwaukee ; Hon. A. T. Spooner,
of Delavan, Wis. ; James B. Ross, of Denver, Colorado.
SKETCHES OF EMINENT DEAD.
In the past history of the bar of Essex county there stands out the names
and lives of five men, whose characters and attainments cannot be surpassed in
the history of the bar of any State. They were the men whose force of mind
and depth of learning, as displayed in the legal contests at the bar of their
native county, led one of the most eminent judges of the State to say : " I
have heard important causes tried in almost every county of the State, and I
never heard more skillfully conducted trials, or more brilliant arguments than
at the Essex county bar."
General Henry H. Ross. — Of the men who drew forth this encomium, the
eldest was General Henry H. Ross. Of him it was well said by one of his
professional brethren, at a meeting of the bar of Essex county, soon after his
death : —
Henry H. Ross was no ordinary man. It was his lot to be so gifted by
nature, his mind so improved by culture, his judgment so matured by obser-
vation and reflection and experience, to which was added large extrinsic ad-
vantages, that he was able to do much good in his day, and set an example in
Hfe worthy of praise and imitation. His well balanced mind never for a mo-
ment yielded to the novel vagaries of the day, either in theory or practice, but
led him safely and successfully through the varied transactions of life.
It was- natural and fit that such a man should be entrusted much with
public duties. A brief review of his history will show that, though this was so
to a degree, office was not even a secondary pursuit with him. But all that
he accepted he discharged with marked ability and fidelity.
Henry H. Ross was born in Essex (then Willsborough), May 9th, 1790, and
was the second son of Hon. Daniel Ross. He received a thorough English
education when quite young at a school in Montreal, C. E., and there also ac-
quired a knowledge of the French language. In 1804 he entered Columbia
College, in the city of New York, and graduated there in 1808, and immediately
after became a student at law in the office of Hon. David B. Ogden, where
he remained until October term, 1811, when he was admitted as attorney of
the Supreme Court. He was afterwards admitted as Solicitor in Chancery and
in due time to the higher grades of the profession, counselor in the Supreme
Court and counselor in the Court of Chancery, his licenses being signed by
The Bench and Bar. 293
Chief Justice and Chancellor Kent and Chief Justice Thompson. He was a
member of the Nineteenth Congress from this district ; was elected county
judge in 1847 t)ut which office he soon resigned. Was elected elector and
made president of the Electoral College in this State in 1848.
He was adjutant of the Thirty- seventh Regiment of militia of this State
at the battle of Plattsburg, and acted on the staff of General Macomb on that
memorable occasion with great credit. He afterwards successfully became
colonel, brigadier-general and major-general. He was also very often called
upon to execute those minor, but indispensable public trusts required by every
community.
He never sought office but often refused it. He could add nothing to his
name, character or standing among his fellow men. He never felt the "pride
of office ; " to fawn or scheme for it he was incapable, and although like a good
citizen he was ever awake to the public weal, and a close observer of public
men and public acts, and watched the interests of his country with the closest
scrutiny, private life and his own affairs were more congenial to his tastes.
Blessed with a happy family and an abundance of this world's goods, his home
was the seat of comfort, generous hospitality and social enjoyment. And yet
he was a public man. His influence in society was great and beneficial ; and
his liberality in every enterprise for improvement, ^nd in matters relating to
charity and religion was munificent.
But as a professional man his worth was, if possible, the most evident.
And in that character, we, as members of the same fraternity, can fully appre-
ciate him. His knowledge of law was deep ; his oratorical powers fine and
persuasive ; and his long professional course a success. His forensic efforts for
half a century bear testimony to his great power and ability as a lawyer and
advocate. Engaged in almost every cause in Essex county even up to the
last term before his death, his cool judgment, acute apprehension of the points
of the case, quick perception of every advantage and every danger, his indom-
itable energy and indefatigable industry gave confidence and frequently suc-
cess to his clients, and made him a powerful opponent.
He loved the practice of the law not because he loved litigation of itself,
but because it was a profession in which men of his erudition, high legal attain-
ments, and honorable feelings have full scope for all their powers, and yet
could aid in the honest and able administration of justice. His clients knew
he was incapable of betraying their confidence, his professional associates knew
he was incapable of trick, the Bench knew that candor and fairness were his
characteristics.
But this is not all. He was conspicuous for his uniform urbanity and
kindly deportment to the Bench, to his professional opponents, and, indeed,
to every member of the bar. In this respect he was a model lawyer. The
weight of responsibility from the importance and difficulty of the case, how-
294 History of Essex. County.
ever great ; the excitement and severity of the struggle, however keen and
overpowering ; anxiety, doubt, danger, or even defeat ; nay even the rudeness
of an adversary never made him deviate for a momemt from the demeanor
of a true gentleman. One of his rivals, who for most of the time for over
thirty years practiced at the same bar and was ^in constant intercourse with
him, after his death said that he never knew General Ross to use a rude ex-
pression to one of his professional brethren. Under all circumstances, firm,
dignified and courteous, he was the gentleman still.
Withal, he possessed a genial soul, and rejoiced when others were happy,
and was never better satisfied than when, on fitting occasions, by the exercise
of his great conversational powers, made more brilliant and instructive by his
sound judgment, his great knowledge of the world and men of the world, he
could make his friends and acquaintances happy.
The family of General Ross has been prominent in the county of Essex
from its earliest history. As far back as 1765 his grandfather on the maternal
side, retiring from a successful mercantile business in New York, became the
proprietor of large tracts of land on the west shore of Lake Champlain. This
was but two years subsequent to the treaty of Paris, by which France relin-
quished to Great Britain her claim to the possession of that region, thus ter-
minating the long contest known as the French and Indian War. The con-
flicting grants, however, which had been previously made by the respective
governments, rendered titles for a time uncertain, producing much confusion
and dissatisfaction. It was during this condition of affairs that he, in conjunc-
tion with Philip Skeene, then governor of Ticonderoga- and Crown Point, and
others, contemplated it is said the establishment of an independent govern-
ment, coniprising the territory north of Massachusetts, and between the Con-
necticut and St. Lawrence rivers.
All the aspiring plans, however, of the early settlers were frustrated by the
breaking out of the War of the Revolution. While Skene adhered to the
king's cause, his former coadjutor in schemes of political aggrandizement
espoused the cause of the patriots with zeal and energy. No man, perhaps,
rendered more effective service in advancing the expedition of General Mont-
gomery into Canada in 1776 than William Gilliland, as the reader of this work
has learned.
His son-in-law, Daniel Ross, father of Henry H. Ross, removed from
Duchess county near the close of the Revolution, and established "himself in
business on the site of the present village of Essex. The country at this time
was new, the population small, yet the sounds of war which for so many years
had rung along those shores had died away, and nothing remained to distract
attention from the arts of peace. The difficulties which had beset his immediate
predecessors, rendering valueless all their toil, happily did not prevent his
enterprise from being rewarded vyth success. His industry secured a compe-
tency, his character commanded respect.
The Bench and Bar. 295
Henry H. Ross was the second son of Judge Daniel Ross and Elizabeth,
the daughter of William Gilliland. He enjoyed excellent advantages of edu-
cation, having been placed at an early age in the best schools of Montreal,
afterwards entering Columbia College in New York.
Arrived now at the age of manhood, thoroughly read in the profession he
had chosen, he turned away from the excitements and allurements of the me-
tropolis to the more congenial quiet of his native village.
He applied himself diligently to the labors of his profession, and at once
assumed, and to the end of his career maintained a distinguished position
among its ablest members. In the conduct of his legal business he was me-
thodical, cautious, laborious. He discountenanced rather than promoted liti-
g'ation, and in his intercourse with clients, mature deliberation always preceded
wise and conscientious counsel. He rarely indulged in rhetoric and never in
ostentatious display. He addressed the understanding of his hearers instead
of appealing to their passions, and approached whatever subject he had in
hand with dignity, self-possession and in the light of principle and common
sense. Upon all the political issues of his time he entertained clear and well
settled convictions, and was frank and open in expression of them. His senti-
ments were emphatically conservative — naturally inclined to adhere to the
established order of things, and not easily drawn into the advocacy of any of
the isms of the day. During most of his life the principles he maintained
were not in accordance with those of the prevailing party ; nevertheless, a
man of his mark could not well avoid being frequently pressed into the polit-
ical arena, when personal influence and popularity, it was hoped, might turn
the scale in a doubtful contest. Yet he was no office-seeker, but, on the con-
trary, a man whose elevated tone rendered him the reverse of all that consti-
tutes that character. However gratifying might have been, and no doubt was,
the confidence his fellow- citizens so often expressed in his behalf, the offices
he held, and the nominations he received, always came entirely unsolicited.
In 1825-26 he represented his district in Congress. At no period in our
history has there been seen in the national capital a body of men surpassing
in character and ability that which composed the Nineteenth Congress. Web-
ster and Everett, of Massachusetts ; Taylor and Hasbrouck, of New York ;
McLane, of Delaware ; Stevenson, of Virginia ; McDuffie, of South Carolina ;
Buchanan, of Pennsylvania ; Polk and Houston, of Tennessee ; Mangum, of
North Carolina, were among those who then held seats in the House of Rep-
resentatives— men who have left their impress upon the history of the coun-
try. An examination of the proceedings of that Congress shows that all the
great questions attracting the attention of the people at that time — the Pan-
ama mission — internal improvements — the judiciary system — the policy in
reference to public lands, etc., received his close and careful consideration, and
that his opinion in the national council, as in every other position, commanded
the respect of his associates.
296 History of Essex County.
In 1828, although urged by many as successor to the Hon. Samuel Jones
in the office of chancellor of this State, with assurances that he was the prefer-
ence of the appointing power, he refused to allow his name to be used in that
connection. Indeed, he seemed to possess httle ambition for public place, his
tastes leading him to choose the independence of private life, and the liberty
to follow unmolested his private pursuits.
In addition to his strictly legal business, which was always large, the confi-
dence in his judgment and integrity which the community entertained from the
beginning, and which, if possible, increased as he advanced in years, led to his
being selected to execute numerous trusts, and to manage the settlement of
estates to an extent demanding no inconsiderable portion of his time. He was
also for years a director and president of the steamboat company on Lake
Champlain, and, in fact, but few enterprises originated in his vicinity with
which he was not associated or in which his counsel and influence were not
sought. A leading member of the legal profession, the trusted arbitrator of
his neighborhood, an extensive landholder and agriculturist, connected with
business men and business matters, he was one whose relations to society
around him extended to all its interests, the sundering whereof by the hand of
death will be felt as a public calamity.
He was the first judge of Essex county under the new constitution, as his
father was under the old, all parties uniting in his unanimous election. The
pressure of other duties, however, compelled him to resign the position before
the close of his term.
Upon the dissolution of the Whig party he refused to join that portion
of it which united with the Republican organization, and although never a
member of the Know-Nothing order, was nominated by the Americans in the
fall of 1857 to the office of attorney-general. During the presidential election
of i860 he entered warmly into the contest, advocating the claims of Douglas,
and was an elector on his ticket.
General Ross married the daughter of the late Hon. Anthony Blanchard,
of Salem, Washington county. In his intercourse with the world, as we have
intimated, he was grave, courteous and dignified, and it was only in his own
house, surrounded by his family and his guests, that he exhibited those warm,
social qualities that endeared him to them all. Thousands whose fortunes
have led them to his evei open door, who have walked in the shade of his pleas-
and grounds, will long remember his genial nature and his most generous hos-
pitality.
The unhappy war, however, at Jength brought desolation and grief to his
hearth as it has to so many others, darkening the closing days of his life. The
death of his son, the late Lieutenant William D. Ross, of the Anderson Zou-
aves, was an affliction that fell heavily upon him. Added to this, he could see
Judge A. C. Hand.
The Bench and Bar. 297
through the gloom and darkness of the present but little hope in the future
for his distracted country, and seemed to be borne down by the sorrowful
thought that " when his eyes were turned to behold, for the last time, the sun
in heaven, he should see it shining on the broken and dishonored fragments
of the Union."
When, at last, he felt that the inevitable hour that comes to all was draw-
ing near, with that deliberate self-possession so characteristic of him, he dic-
tated the disposition of his worldly affairs and laid down to die. The illness
that prostrated him was of short duration and he died September 13th, 1862.
Hon. Augustus C. Hand. — Succeeding General Ross in point of time and
service at the bar stands the Hon. Augustus C. Hand, for many years the
acknowledged leader of the attorneys of Northern New York. Judge Hand
was descended from the English family of John Hand, who came from Kent in
England, and settled on Long Island, and from there Yemoved to Shoreham,
Vermont where the subject of this sketch was born, September 4th, 1803.
While upon the farm, and before any one had thought of the chance of his fol-
lowing any other pursuit than that of his father, it was discovered that he had
possessed himself of a Blackstone and a few other old law books, and had been
studying them in private. The inclination of his mind thus early indicated,
he was wisely allowed by his parents to name the profession of his life, and
the studiousness then exhibited was the percursor of that research which, in his
later life, would be satisfied with nothing short of the origin of every legal
principle he was called upon to apply. The early education of Judge Hand
was obtained in the common schools of his native State, and under the private
instruction of Professor Turner, of Middlebury College, and Calvin C. Waller,
then surveyor-general of Vermont. At an early age he graduated from the
then famous law school of Judge Gould, in Litchfield, Conn., and afterwards
continued his legal studies with Judge Cornelius L. Allen, of Salem, New York.
Soon after his admission to the bar, and in 1829, he began the practice of law
in Crown Point, and remained there until 1831, when, at the age of twenty-
seven, he was appointed by the governor and Senate to be surrogate of Essex
county, and discharged the duties of that important office for nine years with
the greatest faithfulness and care. Immediately after this appointment he re-
moved to the county seat, Elizabethtown, and remained there until his death.
He was an honored member of the Twenty-sixth Congress, and was elected
thereto in a district ordinarily opposed to him in politics, at the age of thirty-
five years. In 1844 he was elected to the State Senats, and served as chair-
man of the judiciary committee of that body during the four years of his sena-
torship. It was during this time that the Constitution of 1846 was adopted,
and made such radical changes in the organization of the courts, and the prac-
tice and proceedings in them, that some scheme to harmonize the old and new
systems became necessary. This result was effectively secured by the law, com-
298 History of Essex County.
monly known as the Judiciary Act, which was originated and drafted by Judge
Hand. Although this act is now one of the reminiscences of lawyers, yet dur-
ing its short life it was greatly appreciated ; and certainly is a monument of
careful and accurate thought of which any jurist and legislator might rightly
feel proud.
It will also be remembered that during this time the senators, with the
lieutenant-governor, the chancellor and the justices of the Supreme Court,
constituted the Court of Final Resort in the State. In this body Judge Hand
occupied a very high position ; and the opinions which he wrote, as one of its
members, and which may be found in the last four volumns of Denio's Reports,
may well be studied as examples of patient research, legal erudition and pre-
vailing reason and logic. Under the new constitution Judge Hand was elected
a justice of the Supreme Court, and served nearly eight years in that capacity
with great distinction. Something of the work which he did, and its character,
may be gathered from his written opinions, reported in Barbour's Reports, vol-
umes one to twenty. During the year 1855, he was a member of the Court
of Appeals and wrote a few carefully prepared' opinions, repor.ted in volumes
two and three of Kernan's Reports.
Except during his official life, as above outlined. Judge Hand spent his
days in the busy details of a large legal practice at Elizabethtown. Of Judge
Hand's character as a man and lawyer, no truer or more appreciative portrayal
can be given than that contained in the following words of one who had known
him both as student in his office, and later as opponent in many sternly con-
tested cases — Hon. Robert S. Hale: — "For the first seven and a half years
of the new Supreme Court, under the constitution of 1846, Judge Hand occu-
pied an honored seat upon its bench. During that period the untried pro-
visions of the new constitution, of thejudicary act of 1847, ^^d of the codes of
1848 and 1849, were largely construed and settled, and it is not too much to
say, that to no judge during that important period of our judicial history is
the legal profession more indebted for laborious and exhaustive examination
and sound and accurate determination of the newly vexed questions of the
time, than to him.
"But to those who knew Judge Hand best, his official life and labors make
up but a small part of that which was most admirable in the man and his
career.
"As a lawyer his character was a model for imitation. He was always in-
defatigable in his labor in the examination and preparation of his causes; care-
ful and conscientious in his conclusions and in his advice to his clients ; deter-
mined and unyielding in the vindication of the rights of his client, and in his
defense of the principles wtiich he asserted with the energy of thorough convic-
tion; properly deferential, but never more than that, to the court; courteous al-
ways to his antagonist, and never more so than when giving his severest blows.
The Bench and Bar. 299
and especially always kind and considerate in a marked degree towards the
younger and more timid members of the profess.ion.
"It was, however, as a citizen and a neighbor, that those who knew Judge
Hand best will remember him most fondly. His genial and kindly presence,
his liberal heart and free hand, his perfect truthfulness and singleness of mind,
his uprightness and purity of life, his thorough contempt for all knavery and
sham, his unhesitating assertion and support of his honest convictions, in short
his Christian faith and the Christian morals and Christian life by which that
faith was evinced, — these form the memories of him which will longest endure
in the hearts of his friends."
George A. Simmons. — Of this truly remarkable man and lawyer there re-
mains scarcely a written trace save of his official labors. Yet few lives were
ever more worthy of study and imitation in minutest detail. Thrown upon
his own resources in childhood, Mr. Simmons, by dint of inborn force and
talent, and without other help than that afforded by his own brain and muscle,
won for himself a position among the most honored in the State.
He was born in New Hampshire about the beginning of the century. His
attention was early attracted toward that Mecca of the hopes of all studi-
ous youths of his native State, Dartmouth College. At the age of nineteen
years he had the proud satisfaction of receiving with honors the degree of A.
B. from his Alma Mater. He soon began the study of law and in 1834 was
admitted to the bar of New York State, and settled in practice at Keeseville,
where he remained until his death. He had not been long in Essex county
when his worth and ability were recognized, and legal business and political
honors began to be showered upon him. Besides many town trusts which
were imposed upon him, he was honored with high political duties both in the
State and nation.
In 1846 he was an active and influential member of the Constitutional Con-
vention of that year, and especially instrumental in procuring the improved
judiciary system which was one of the results of that convention
In the years 1840, 1841 and 1842 he served Essex county with distin-
guished fidelity as its Member of Assembly.
From 1853 to 1857 he was Representative in Congress, and the records of
that body will show that he was a respected and valuable member. But not-
withstanding this political service, Mr. Simmons did not possess a mind to which
practical politics was at all congenial. To one who like him had drunk deep
at the wells of classic story, and to whom the history of the rise and fall of
nations was a well known tale, the politics of his own land could never be un-
interesting. But to him they were so, on their philosophical and scientific,
rather than upon their office holding side. To think, to theorize, to plan for
the good growth of the nation, was to him much pleasanter than to practice
the belittling arts of the scheming office seeker.
300 History of Essex County.
This was also the character of the man in his legal work. His mind was
studious rather than practical. The quiet, thoughtful determination toward
scholarship which led him to obtain, unaided, a college education also led him
deep into the legal learning of the past, and made the first impulse of his mind
in investigating any question, to search for principles rather than expedients.
This inclination of his genius made him particularly strong as a counselor
and in the domain of equity practice. Such was his reputation for sound and
skillful counsel, that he became the trusted leader of a large number of the at-
torneys of Essex, Clinton and St. Lawrence counties, and clients came to him
in large numbers from far and near.
In arguments before the higher courts where men prevail by force of clear-
ness and ability Mr. Simmons was especially successful.
In conversation with the late Charles O'Connor, Chancellor Kent once said
that George A. Simmons was the only man who practiced before him who
could clearly state the distinction between law and equity. Chancellor Wal-
worth, at one time on being applied to for autographs of distinguished men,
sent one of Mr. Simmons, and to the appHcant wrote, •' I consider him one of
the most eminent men in the State."
Such was the expression of the opinion of men best able to judge of his
merits. That they expressed their real convictions is evidenced by the fact
that Mr. Simmons was received and treated by them and others equally learned
as an associate and companion.
Socially Mr. Simmons was eccentric. He never married. His home was
with his books and his highest contentment was found in studious retirement
and consequent separation from domestic inclinations. When in society he
could be most genial and pleasing.
In character Mr. Simmons was a man without reproach. Neither in pub-
lic nor private life was there ever an imputation of wrong to sully his fair fame.
All in all his was an admirable life. A fine classical scholar, a profound law-
yer, a blameless citizen, an upright public servant, a faithful friend, a trusted
counselor, adequate to every call of duty, his was a life complete. He was one
to whom death could not come untimely.
Hon. Orlando Kellogg. — Orlando Kellogg was born in Elizabethtown, Es-
sex county, N. Y., in the year 1809. His father was Rowland Kellogg, only
son of William Kellogg, who had been driven from his home in Wyoming, Pa.,
by the destruction of the settlement and the massacre of many of the inhabi-
tants during the Revolutionary struggle. It is related that during the progress
of that historic event Mr. Kellogg was pursued from his labor in the field to a
fort or stockade by a stalwart Indian, known as "Captain Turkey," and whom
he was fortunate enough to shoot. He was one of the earliest settlers in Eliz-
abethtown to which place he removed from Hinesburgh, Vt.
Rowland Kellogg's wife (mother of Orlando)'was Sarah Titus, an estimable
Orlando Kellogg.
The Bench and Bar. 301
lady of more than average intelligence. Her husband died in the year 1826,
and about seven years later she became the wife of Jeduthan Case, w^ho is said
to have been the first child born in Ticonderoga of parents who were perma-
nently settled in that town.
Of all the lawyers who have practiced at the bar of Essex county, the most
unique in character and life was the subject of this notice. Of him more truly
than any other could it be said : he was the type of American manhood, and
of its capabilities and limitations. He was born in Elizabethtown, New York,
June 1 8th, 1809. His father was a mechanic and himself followed the same
trade until after his majority. On the death of his father in •1826 he assumed
the care and support of his mother and a large family of younger children.
Onerous as was the duty and its burden, it was discharged by him with unflinch-
ing fidelity and rare success. While working with plane and saw and adz, and
long before he had dreamed of other work, his friends discovered in him the
germs of those qualities for which he was afterward noted, and strongly ad-
vised him to make the law his profession. Yielding with some reluctance to
the opinion of those whom he considered better able to judge than himself, in
1833, at the age of twenty-two, he began the study of law. He first studied
in the office of John S. Chipman and finished the long term then required by
the rules of this State in the office of Hand & Livingston, and was admitted
to the bar in 1842. From that time on his career was an unbroken series of
successes, so far as his personal work was concerned.
In 1840 Governor Seward appointed him surrogate of Essex county, and
for four years he discharged the duties of that important office with rare skill
and fidelity.
In 1840 he was elected to the Thirtieth Congress and there formed the
friendship with Abraham Lincoln, which continued intimate and unbroken
until Mr. Lincoln's death. Upon the adjournment of this Congress he re-
turned to the practice of his profession and followed it closely until 1862, when
the people of his district, without distinction of party, elected him to the Thir-
ty-eighth Congress, and in 1864 re-elected him to the Thirty-ninth.
Of his position and work in Congress it has been well said : " He was never
a prominent or obtrusive member. Diffident and cautious of speech, he never
thrust himself upon the notice of the House, and indeed rarely rose to speak,
but among those who could truly appreciate such qualities, his sterling good
sense, his practical wisdom, his unerring tact in the management of both men
and things, did not fail to stamp him as a man who, in many of the qualities
that go furthest to constitute worth for the practical every day duties of life,
he had on the floor of the House few equals and no superiors." The tact and
power of management here mentioned made him for many years almost un-
opposed in the politics of his native county. And it may be truly said that
no man who ever lived could more quickly or effectually convert' a political
302 History of Essex County.
opponent into a personal friend and party follower. It is a well known fact
that the voters of one of the towns of Essex county, a large majority of whom
were opposed to him in politics, were so converted almost to a man by a single
speech of his.
As a stump speaker, addressing an assembly of farmers and mechanics, he
was simply inimitable. The wit and pathos that brought tears of laughter and
of pity almost commingled, the homely but striking illustrations, always drawn
from the life of the men he was addressing, and the deep pervading earnest-
ness of everything he said, made his appeals well nigh irresistible.
But it was as an advocate before a jury that Mr. Kellogg was at his best.
There, no matter how skillfully the opposing counsel had prepared and tried
the case, he was often compelled to sit by and see both law and facts which he
supposed invincible swept away by the jury's verdict after one of Mr. Kellogg's
arguments. Lawyers who were greatly his superiors in all the niceties of legal
lore and in the training and polish of the schools, were often amazed to find
their firmest logic and finest rhetoric of no avail with the jury, as against his
native power and ability to convince. His magnetic personality combined with
an intuitive perception of the hidden springs and motives that impel men's con-
duct and thoughts, almost invariably enabled him to seize upon and express
just the facts and illustrations which coincided with the half- formed ideas and
purposes in the minds of the jury, and to lead them to give a verdict in favor
of his client because they believed that the very ideas which he had shaped in
their minds were original with themselves. To this end the whole manner and
language of the man were all powerful. No word or fact was ever misapplied.
If the jury were farmers, his thoughts were of the farm ; if mechanics, of the
shop. If the occasion was one with an amusing side, his wit was boundless ;
sometimes merciless, but never unkind or malignant. If the trial was one
where life or reputation were at stake, the pathos of his argument, in its effect,
never stopped short of tears with both jury and audience. If the case was one
of driest facts, his statement would transform them into an argument as at-
tractive as the page of romance. Through the whole gamut of human feeling
its master ; and it was a mastery which was, in its sweep and intensity, at times
nothing less than the inspiration of genius.
But it was at the fireside and in the office, in the unrestricted flow of famil-
iar conversation that one of the most charming phases of his character exhib-
ited itself This was his almost limitless good humor and kindness of heart
and his exhaustless fund of anecdote. This latter characteristic was one strand
in the bond which drew him so closely to the lamented Lincoln. At one time
when the war of the Rebellion was at its fiercest, and dread uncertainty rested
upon every loyal soul in the North, a friend of Mr. Kellogg was in Washing-
ton and visited him. One night after the House of Representative had ad-
journed at eleven o'clock, Mr. Kellogg said to his friend : " Now we will go
The Bench and Bar. 303
over and see the president." The friend wondered at such a suggestion at
that time of night but accompanied him to the White House. The two were
shown into the president's private office and the friend was introduced to him.
As the friend relates what followed, from that time until half past three cy'dock
in the morning there was no cessation to the stories and jokes and laughter of
the president and Mr. Kellogg. On parting the president remarked to the
friend : " If it was not for Kellogg's stories I should get blue sometimes."
The scene described was one of frequent occurrence between these two
men, who, each in his own way, struggled under the weight of the destinies of
the nation and at night thus repaired the strain of the duties of the day. Upon
the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Kellogg gave heart, time and family to
the service of the Union. Many anxious days and nights, snatched from his
duties in Congress, were spent by him with the army in trying to alleviate
the sufferings of the soldiers from his congressional district. His work there
is best epitomized in the title given him by the 11 8th New York Volunteers.
To Mr. Kellogg's kindness of heart and sympathy with suffering in every
form there was no limit. In his practice of law his impulse was always to de-
fend rather than to prosecute even a criminal.
In his character and work as a whole there seems to have been but one
thing needed to make it complete ; namely, that early training in the schools and
intercourse with learned and refined minds, that would have removed his na-
tive brusqueness and made his mental vision broader and more just. But even
it is questionable whether what was gained in refinement and humanity would
not have been lost in vigor and originality.
Mr. Kellogg had, as above stated, been re-elected to Congress at the elec-
tion in November, 1864, but died before the meeting of that Congress. His
decease was somewhat sudden, having been ill but two or three days, and oc-
curred August 24th, 1865.
His wife was the youngest daughter of Roger Hooker Woodruff, of Lewis,
and survived him until February, 1884. Seven children survive them.
Hon. Robert S. Hale. — The lawyer, among those who have made Essex
county their home, most widely known is perhaps Judge Hale.
Of his character and attainments no better general estimate can be made
than that contained in the remarks of Regent Curtis upon the occasion of the
memorial action of the Board of Regents of the State of New York. Mr. Cur-
tis had known Judge Hale long and intimately, both in public and private life,
and spoke most justly when he said of him: "He was one of the men whose
vitality is so rich and sparkling, whose interests are so varied, and whose sym-
pathies are so generous, that their death is like a sudden chill at midsummer.
His alert and incisive intelligence, his quick and flashing intellectual grasp, his
blithe courage and somewhat aggressive independence, with a certain lofty and
amused disdain of whatever is mean, and narrow, and low, made him one of
the most interesting of men.
304 History of Essex County.
Add to this his affluent humor, his mental training, his generous literary
taste, finely cultivated, and his memory like a well-ordered arsenal, in which
every weapon of every calibre is always standing in its place, brightly bur-
nished and ready for instant use, and you have also one of the most fascinat-
ing of companions. No man enjoyed more than he the £-audium certammis.
What the poet makes Ulysses say of himself he could have said,
"I love to drink delight of battle with my peers."
He rode into every intellectual contest armed cap-a-pie. He struck no foul
blow, and victor or vanquished he was still a knight without fear and without re-
proach. He was a lawyer always busily engaged in the practice of his profession.
But he had the high public spirit and patriotism which was natural to the grand-
son of a captain of minute men who, within twenty-four hours of the news from
Concord and Lexington, mustered his company of fifty-four men out of the one
hundred and fifty-eight men of the village able to bear arms, and paraded
them upon the village green, ready to march to the field. This blood of the
minute man always beat in his veins. With the alacrity of patriotism he re-
paired to every public post to which he was summoned, and there with entire
devotion he did his duty. The courts of law in which he was distinguished; on
the bench and at the bar; the Congress of the United States in which he fitly
represented the pure character, the high intelligence and the simple republican
manners of a great rural constituency; the national and international tribu-
nals before which he successfully maintained the rights of citizens entrusted to
him by the government; the community in which he lived beloved and re-
spected of all men; the home consecrated by that holy tenderness of affection
which is the chief glory and consolation of human life, all these lament our
friend."
Robert Safford Hale was born in Chelsea, Vermont, September 24th, 1822.
He was a graduate of the University of Vermont, in the class of 1842. After
this he taught one year in the academy at Montpelier, Vermont ; studied law
a short time at Chelsea, then came to Elizabethtown, N. Y., and entered the
office of Hon. Augustus C. Hand, where he completed his legal studies. He
was admitted to the bar in January, 1847, ^^d immediately after formed a
partnership with Hon. Orlando Kellogg. In 1856 he was elected county judge
and surrogate and held the office eight years. He was chosen a member of
the Board of Regents of New York State, March 29th, 1859; and was an active
and influential member until his death. In i860 he was one of the presidential
electors of New York who cast the vote of the State for Lincoln and Hamlin.
In November, 1865 he was elected to the Thirty-ninth Congress to succeed
Hon. Orlando Kellogg; and was again elected to the same position in 1873,
and served in the Forty- third Congress. Of the distinguished ability and patriot-
ism with which he served in that body, no adequate idea can be given without
quoting largely from the records of the work of Congress during the time he
Robert S. Hale.
The Bench and Bar. 305
was a member. The best commentary upon the reputation which he estab-
lished there is found in the professional engagements which resulted therefrom.
In March, 1868, he was retained by Hon. Edwin M. Stanton as counsel in the
controversies growing out of the appointment of General Lorenzo Thomas to
be Secretary of War in place of Mr. Stanton. In the following month he was
retained by the Treasury Department as counsel to contest the many claims
which were being presented for captured and abandoned cotton. In August,
1 87 1, he was retained by the State Department as attorney and counsel for the
United States before the Mixed Commission on British and American Claims
under article twelve of the treaty with Great Britain, known as the Treaty of
Washington. Under this engagement Judge Hale was confronted with a great
many complicated and delicate questions of international law; yet such was his
ability and fidelity to the interests of his client, that out of ninety-six millions
of dollars in claims presented and urged against the government, it was compelled
to pay less than two millions.- When it is considered that in the contest over these
claims he was opposed to many of the most eminent lawyers in the land, and
that the whole mass of claims was disposed of within two years, some estimate
of Judge Hale's energy and capacity for work may be reached.
Upon the organization of the State Board of Commissioners of the State
Survey in 1876, he was appointed one of its members, and acted in that ca-
pacity until his death. In 1870 he was a candidate supported for a seat in the
new Court of Appeals, but defeated with his party. Upon the creation of the
office of circuit judge of the United States in 1869, his name was earnestly
urged upon President Grant for appointment to the second circuit by prom-
inent men in the city of New York and by the almost unanimous voice of the
leaders of his party in New York, Connecticut and Vermont, the States com-
prising the circuit ; but Judge Lewis B. Woodruff received the appointment.
The last public effort of Judge Hale was to take part in a memorial service
upon the death of President Garfield, September 26th, 1881. As he spoke of
the high character of the martyred president and his own friendship with him,
the scene was pathetic beyond words ; as every listener felt that Judge Hale
himself was already within the shadow of the valley of death, and his soulful
eulogy of his dead friend seemed but a premature requiem for his own impend-
ing fate. His own death occurred December 14th, 1881, at his home in Eliza-
bethtown.
In the thousand and one details that go to make up the character of a suc-
cessful lawyer, those most noticeable in the work of Judge Hale were: Inde-
fatigable industry in collecting facts, great sagacity and foresight in collating
them, broad and comprehensive views of the legal principles applicable to them,
and absolute fearlessness in the presentation of his client's cause. Added to
these was a memor)' that was almost never at fault, either regarding a fact or
the law. His knowledge of the statutory law of New York, after revisers had
20
3o6 History of Essex County.
exhausted their capacity to obscure it, was something extraordinary. He was
seldom mistaken as to the existence or force of any statute. As a preceptor
Judge Hale was unrivaled. He dehghted in imparting knowledge, and there
could be no mind so dull as to fail to comprehend his clear statements and
wonderful illustrations of legal principles.
In all his professional work his acts were those of a master in the use of his
favorite implement. Although the duties of life called him to other and differ-
ent employments, yet the law and its practice was his joy and his ornament.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ESSEX COUNTY.l
Practicing Medicine in Early Days — Difficulties in the Way of Obtaining a Medical Education —
Notes of Prominent Early Physicians — Essex County Medical Society — Lost Records — Organiza-
tion—Delegates from Essex County to the State Medical Society — Prominent Early Members and
their Delegates — Officers of the Society — Present Membership.
SETTLEMENT was commenced in the county of Essex as early as 1760,
but progressed very slowly even up to 1812. This county was largely an
unbroken wilderness and did not offer very promising inducements for physi-
cians to settle here even in as late as 1820. We can only obtain very meagre
accounts of the pioneer physicians that came here previous to that date and
many of the towns along the lake at that time had to go to Vermont for a
physician in case of any severe illness.
The facilities for obtaining .i medical education at as early a day as 1800
were very poor. The State of New York had done very little to encourage
medical science and there were no schools of medicine nearer than Boston or
Philadelphia, that were worthy of the name, and very few young men could
afford to go there to qualify themselves for a profession that offered but little
pecuniary inducements ; consequently the custom was for a young man who
intended to follow that calling to enter the office of some old physician and
read such books as were then extant for two or three years, and at the same
time go with him and witness his methods of practice, and then find some va-
cant place and commence " on his own hook."
Among the names of physicians in the vicinity of Keeseville, in early times
we hear of a Dr. Clark, Dr. Aaron Goodman and Dr. Samuel Weeks. The
first physician of any distinction in Keeseville was Dr. B. Fox. He died there
in 1842 of an epidemic erysipelas prevailing at that time. He was in the
prime of life and highly respected by all that knew him. Dr. Fox was a very
1 Prepared by Dr. Safford E. Hale, of Elizabethtown, and Dr. Lyman Barton, of Willsborough.
The Medical Profession. 307
devoted Christian gentleman and many of his patients claimed that his prayers
did them more good than his medicines — and were much more pleasant to
take.
Dr. Jacob Blaisdel died in Keeseville about 1868. He was a native of
New Hampshire, received his education at Dartmouth Medical College, prac-
ticed a short time in Jay and removed to Keeseville about 1835, where he
practiced his profession till attacked with cancer of the stomach, of which he
died.
Dr. Adrian Weston died in Keeseville in 1882, aged seventy years. He
commenced his practice in Keeseville and continued to follow his profession
there till a short time before his death with the exception of a few years when
he was in Glens Falls. Dr. Weston had a very large practice for a large part
of his life and many ardent admirers.
Dr. Frank M. Hopkins,^ born in Montgomery, Vt, on the 15th day of
September, 1823, died at his home in Keeseville, November i6th, 1879, aged
fifty-six years. Dr. Hopkins was the oldest of a family of three brothers and
five sisters.
His early youth was passed at the home of his parents, where he was em-
ployed with the usual labors of farm hfe till his desire to obtain a better educa-
tion than his own town afforded impelled him to attend the academy at Enos-
burgh and afterwards at Bakersfield, Vt.
At the time when he began to look forward to a fixed pursuit in life his at-
tention was turned to the ministry, and if circumstances had been somewhat
more favorable, he would doubtless have entered that profession ; as it was he
determined to study medicine, and in due time began to attend the lectures at
the then flourishing Medical College at Woodstock, Vt, from whence he grad-
uated in 1849. He began medical practice in Clintonville, N. Y., in June of
that year and was married to Marietta Maynard, of Enosburgh, Vt., in the
succeeding July. In the fall of 1853 he removed to Keeseville and continued
his profession until by the partial failure of his health he was compelled to re-
linquish it for other pursuits. In 1861 he was elected school commissioner of
Essex county and served the usual term of tljree years. From this time until
1 87 1, when he resumed the practice of his profession in Keeseville, he was en-
gaged as assistant assessor and medical examiner and agent for the Travelers
and Equitable Insurance Companies. In 1873 he was appointed physician to
Clinton prison, where he remained until 1876 when he returned to Keeseville
and entered into business as a druggist. He was for many years identified
with the Masonic order in this State and occupied a prominent position of
honor and influence in connection therewith. When he was sixteen years of
age he made a public profession of religion and united with the Congregational
Church in Montgomery, from whence his connection was removed to the Pres-
1 From an obituary published soon after Dr. Hopkins's death.
3o8 History of Essex County.
byterian Church of Keeseville in 1869. For many years he was the leader of
the singing in church and was also superintendent of the Sabbath-school. His
funeral was attended on the 19th of November by a large concourse of his fel-
low citizens and friends, who, with tearful evidence of their sorrow, gathered to
lay down in the welcome grave the noble form which they had learned to re-
spect and love through all his busy years. Dr. Hopkins died of Bright's dis-
ease caused by exposure at his brother's funeral.
Among the early doctors who settled in Essex the name of Dr. Dryden
is remembered, but not much is known of him except that he died young.
Drs. Mead and Shumway came to Essex about 1820 as near as can now be
remembered by those living at that time. Dr. Abial Mead was from Middle-
bury, Vt., and studied for his profession in the Pennsylvania Institute, Phil-
adelphia. He practiced his profession in Essex up to 1850, when he removed
to St. Albans, Vt, where hfe died a few years after. He left no descendants in
this county, although he had a large family of daughters and one son, conse-
quently no very exact history can now be made out. The writer knew him
very well as a neighboring physician and remembers him as a man of more
than ordinary ability and as being distinguished especially as a surgeon.
Dr. Samuel Shumway came to Essex from Washington county, N. Y.,
where he was born, and practiced medicine there and in adjoining towns till
within a few years of his death, aged eighty- four, which occurred in June, 1874,
at Whitehall, at his daughter's where he had been living for a few years. His
remains were brought to Essex for burial. Dr. Shumway had quite a wide
reputation as a judicious and skillful physician, and was often called quite a
distance to consult with his brethren in difficult cases. He was an active and
useful member of the Essex County Medical Society and often represented that
society as their delegate to the State Society, and in 1852 he was elected
permanent member of the Medical Society of the State of New York. In
184s, when Dr. Shumway represented Essex county in the Legislature, the
Medical Society of the State presented his name to the Regents of the Uni-
versity for the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine, which was granted
agreeably to request. Dr. Shum\yay held several offices of honor and trust in his
town and also represented the county as member of the Legislature. Dr. Shum-
way for many years was an efficient member and deacon of the Presbyterian
Church in Essex. He had three sons and one daughter. His oldest son was
a young lawyer of much promise ; after marriage with Judge Gould's daugh-
ter, of Essex, he was established in Chicago where he contracted malarial
fever from the effects of which he died at his father's in Essex. His youngest
son. Dr. Charles Shumway, after practicing a few years with his father, removed
to Chicago about 1856 where he had a large practice, but was stricken with
diabetes miletus, of which he died in 1884.
The following obituary was published in a county paper on the death of
Dr. Dewey : —
The Medical Profession. 309
" Benjamin Waterman Dewey, M.D. — This honored physician died at his
residence in Moriah, N. Y., on the evening of January 13th, 1873. He was
a native of Lebanon, N.H., and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 18 19.
His professional studies were pursued at the medical school in Castleton, Vt.
After acquiring his profession Dr. Dewey assumed the charge of the academy
at Shoreham, Vt. Among his pupils was Senator Foot, who, in the days of his
eminence, pleasantly remembered his old preceptor and sent him his portrait.
The doctor had a year or two of professional practice in Putnam, N. Y., and
then settled in Moriah. Thenceforward during forty-nine years he was con-
tinuously employed in healing the sick of the town and its vicinity. His wife
— Harriet Cole — was connected with several of the conspicuous families of
Connecticut. At the time of his death he was in his seventy-ninth year. Dr.
Dewey had much acuteness of mind and accuracy of judgment. His inde-
pendence was remarkable and was often exercised in the maintenance of his
personal opinion against that of a whole council of his brethren.
" It often proved that he was in the right. His sincerity was equally re-
markable, and in speaking he was wont to express what he thought rather than
that which another might be pleased to believe that he thought. The doctor
was a devout man and a member of the Congregational Church. His prayers
were memorable. They were most child-like and confidential, and they were
uttered with a certain quaintness of style which was extremely enjoyable.
Once to have heard him was to have something to remember for a life-time."
At a meeting of the Essex County Medical society held at Port Henry, Octo-
ber 14th, 1873, resolutions of respect and condolence were passed in honor of
Dr. Dewey and a copy sent to his surviving daughter and one preserved in
the archives of the society. Dr. Dewey had but two children, a son, a lawyer,
who died in Chicago several years before his father's death, and a daughter now
living in Moriah.
Doctor Isaac Hatch settled in Moriah about the same time that Dr. Dewey
did, i. e. about 1824. He came there from Keene, N. H., studied his profes-
sion at Dartmouth Medical College.
He practiced his profession in Moriah till about the year 1835 and then re-
moved back to Keene, N. H., where he died about two years after of typhoid
fever. Dr. Hatch was a man of good-natured abilities, quick of apprehension,
and would often arrive at a diagnosis of disease by a sort of intuition and was
seldom mistaken in his conclusions. He had a large practice in Moriah and
vicinity and his patrons regretted very much to have him leave.
Rollin E. Warner, M.D., was a native of Cornwall, Vt., born in the year
1826. He entered Middlebury College in 1845 and remained there for two
years, when he left for want of means to continue his collegiate studies. He
studied medicine under Doctor Porter, of Cornwall. He entered the Castleton
Medical College, Vt., from which institution he graduated June 19th, 1850.
310 History of Essex County.
The following winter he taught school and practiced in the town of Addison, Vt.
In the spring of 1851 he came to Port Henry, Essex county, and bought out
Dr. Cheney (Dr. Cheney came to Port Henry from Addison, practiced there
for two or three years and removed to Chicago where he died a few years
after). Dr. Warner remained in Port Henry, having a large and lucrative prac-
tice till his death, which occurred on the 29th of June, 1883, aged fifty-three.
Bright's disease was the cause of his early death. Dr. Warner left a wife and
four children, three daughters and a son. Dr. C. B. Warner, who succeeded his
father in the practice of medicine in Port Henry. Dr. Warner held a good
many positions of trust, was postmaster for eight years, was a Free Mason, a
man of sterling integrity, of good judgment and iron will; he was kind and
charitable to the poor and the leading physician in that town up to his death.
Dr. William H. Richardson was born in Montpelier, Vt, received the de-
gree of M.D. from Castleton Medical College of Vermont and practiced his
profession for a short time in Winouski, Vt., and came to Westport, Essex
county, N. Y., in 1857, where he died in March, 1880. Dr. Richardson was
three times elected to the Legislature from Essex county, and when in the Leg-
islature was elected permanent member of the Medical Society of the State.
Dr. Richardson was physician to the county almshouse for some ten years.
He left a wife and three children.
Among the early physicians that settled in Willsborough were Dr. Cleam-
ons and Dr. Towner, who still have descendants living in this town. Dr. Tru-
man Towner was a man of considerable distinction as a physician in the early
days of this town. He was born in Connecticut in 1758, died in Willsbor-
ough in 1832, aged seventy-two. Dr. Towner studied his profession in Con-
necticut, practiced medicine in Bridport, Vt., some ten years and then came to
Essex county previous to 1800, where he had a laborious practice, riding on
horseback, as the roads were not in condition for carriages, nor were such
vehicles known here at that early day. Dr. Towner is kindly remembered by
some of the old settlers that still remain in this vicinity.
Dr. Morris Smith from Vermont came to Willsborough about 18 19, as near
as can now be ascertained, and practiced here for some ten years ; was much
esteemed by all that knew him ; he removed to Panton, Vt., retired from prac-
tice and took up farming and is said to have died suddenly while following the
plow. After Dr. Smith there came to Willsborough Dr. Forsyth and Dr.
Wheelock, who remained here for only a short time and left.
Dr. Levi Wilcox came into the town of Ticonderoga probably as early as
the beginning of the century, and may be considered the pioneer physician
here. He attained a large practice and about 1822, upon the advent of Dr.
John Smith, the two formed a partnership. This continued, however, but three
years, after which Dr. Wilcox continued his practice alone until his death. He
was almost the sole reliance of the inhabitants for medical aid for nearly twen-
Dr. John Smith.
The Medical Profession. 3 1 1
ty-five years, and his practice was extensive for many years later. Dr. R. C.
Wilcox, at present practicing in Ticonderoga, is a grandson of Dr. Levi Wilcox.
Dr. John Smith was born December loth, 1794, and came to Ticonderoga
from Shoreham, Vt., in 1822 or 1823, and formed a partnership with Dr. Levi
Wilcox, the pioneer physician of the town. This partnership continued for
three years, during the last one of which Dr. Smith was located at the Upper
Falls. He there established a small drug store, which was subsequently re-
moved by him to the Lower Village. Dr. Smith received his general educa-
tion in the Newton Academy, at his native village of Shoreham, and pursued
his medical studies in the institution at Middlebury, Vt. He secured a large
practice at a time when the life of a physician was one calling for almost heroic
qualities. His ride extended over a large extent of country and was made
perforce on horseback ; and a large share of the practice of physicians of those
days was unremunerative. But prudence and economy were marked charac-
teristics of Dr. Smith, and although proverbially considerate in his claims against
the poor, he still was able to accumulate a competence. He secured and
maintained a character for the most unflinching integrity and entirely won the
respect of his townsmen. He was elected to several town offices ; was super-
intendent of the poor for several years and supervisor in 1837-38. He died
on the 23d of April, 1869. His venerable widow, at the age of ninety years,
still lives in Ticonderoga and four children survive him.
Essex County Medical Society. — The Medical Society of the County of
Essex was probably organized at an early day after the first organization of
the State Medical Society, but unfortunately all the records of the society pre-
vious to the year 1859 are lost.
In 1806 an act was passed by the Legislature of the State, establishing
county medical societies and a general State Medical Society, repealing former
acts.
In 1813 this act, with subsequent amendments, was embodied in another
act incorporating the several societies of the State and admitting subsequent
incorporation of medical societies.
The Medical Society of the State was duly organized on the first Tuesday
of February, 1807, by the election of officers and enacting certain by-laws,
and then adjourned to the first Tuesday of February, 1808.
At the meeting in 1808 appears among the members the name of Alexan-
der Morse, of Essex county.
In 1809 we again find the name of Dr. Alexander Morse as present and
reading a dissertation on the topography, mineralogy and diseases of the county
of Essex.
In 1 8 14 Dr. Alexander Morse presented his credentials from the Essex
County Medical Society, and was duly admitted as a delegate. This is the
first mention found of the Essex County Medical Society. From that time
312 History of Essex County.
forward we find the County Society represented frequently in the State So-
ciety ; and this is about all the record we are able to find of its existence.
Dr. Alexander Morse, who seems to have been an active man in the County
Society, came to Elizabethtown from Dorset, Vt., in the year 1800, when the
county was very young, and lived there until his death at the age of seventy-
seven years.
Another active member of the society was Dr. Asa Post, of Elizabethtown,
who came to the county from Saybrook, Conn., in 1803 and lived there until
1858, when he died at the age of ninety- two, a remarkable instance of long-
evity in a consumptive ; for he has often told the writer that he was sent to
the wilderness when a young man to cure his consumption.
Another instance of the salubrity of the climate was the case of Dr. Wm.
Livingston, who came from Hebron, Washington county, to Lewis, Essex
county, in 18 17, where he lived until 1828, and then moved to Chautauqua
county, returning to Lewis in 1842 and dying there in i860, at the age of
ninety-two.
In 1 8 17 Dr. Joseph Gilbert was the delegate from Essex county to the
State Society. Dr. Gilbert came from Brookfield, Mass., at an early day in
the history of the county and settled in the west part of the town of Essex.
He was a man of considerable importance in the medical fraternity of the re-
gion. He died about the year 1829.
In 1 82 1 Dr. Diadrus Holcomb, of Westport, represented the County So-
ciety as its delegate in the State Society. He Hved a long and useful life in
Westport where he died leaving a large and respectable family.
These are all the names of delegates to the State Society found in the pub-
lished transactions previous to 1840.
Some of the more prominent physicians of the county at that time were
Dr. John Smith, of Ticonderoga, Dr. Henry Haile, of Crown Point; Drs. Shum-
way and Mead, of Essex ; Dr. S. W. Ranney and Dr. Pollard, of Westport ;
Dr. Davey, of Moriah; and Dr. Alpheas Morse, an elder brother of Dr. Alex-
ander, previously spoken of He came to the west part of Essex about 1830,
after the death of Dr. Gilbert, from Dorset, Vt. After spending a few years in
Brookfield (as the west part of Essex was called), he moved to the town of
Jay, where he practiced until his death at more than ninety years of age.
It was rather an unusual thing for three physicians to be living in adjoin-
ing towns at the same time all past ninety years of age, as was the case with
Dr. Morse, of Jay, Dr. Livingston, of Lewis, and Dr. Post,'of Elizabethtown.
After the passage by the Legislature in 1844 (?) of a law removing all re-
strictions from the practice of medicine, the Essex County Society languished
and finally ceased to meet for a number of years.
In 1859 a number of physicians of the county thought it advisable to re-
suscitate the society, and Drs. Shumway and Hammond, of Essex, and Dr.
The Medical Profession.
313
Barton, of Willsborough, called a meeting of physicians of the county at Essex,
on the 13th of July, for the purpose of re-organizing the society. A respect-
able number were in attendance, and organized by appointing officers, adopt-
ing a constitution and by-laws and adjourned to meet at the court-house in
Elizabethtown on the 22d of September.
At the adjourned meeting in September a large number of the physicians
of the county were present, and the interest in the society was so manifest that
it was resolved to hold a semi-annual meeting at Essex in the June following.
Dr. Shumway of Essex was elected president, and the other offices filled
and able addresses made.
From this re-beginning the society has continued to flourish and prosper
and a great share of the reputable physicians of the county have belonged to it.
In 1874 a new set of by-laws and with the code of the American Medical
Association were adopted.
This remains still, with sHght amendments, the law of the society.
The question of a code of ethics, which has for a few years so agitated the
State Society, has been fully discussed in the County Society, and at the annual
session in 1883, with a very full attendance of members, the following resolu-
tion was adopted (only three votes being cast against it) : —
"Resolved, That the Essex County Medical Society disapprove the code of
ethics adopted by the State Medical Society, and re-affirm their allegiance to
the code of the American Medical Association."
Officers of Essex County Medical Society from time of reorganization, in
1859: —
Secretary. Delegates.
F. H. Stevens,
F. H. Stevens,
F. H. Stevens,
Year. President.
1859. Samuel Shumway,
i860. Samuel Shumway,
1 86 1-2. Lyman Barton,
(S. M. S.)i F. M. Hopkins.
1863.
Lyman Barton,
F. H. Stevens,
1864.
Samuel Shumway,
A. Pollard, pro.
tetn.
1865.
Lyman- Barton,
S. E. Hale,
1866.
Lyman Barton,
S. E. Hale,
1867.
Lyman Barton,
S. E. Hale,
(S. M. S.) S. E. Hale.
1868.
A. Pollard,
S. E. Hale,
1869.
J. N. Oliver,
S. E. Hale,
1870.
S. S. Holcomb,
S. E. Hale,
I87I.
E. F. Edgerly,
S. E. Hale,
(S. M. S.) E. D. Ferguson.
1872.
E. F. Edgerly,
S. E. Hale,
1873-
E. D. Ferguson,
■S. E. Hale,
(S. M. S.) C. E. Nichols.
1874.
E. D. Ferguson,
S. E. Hale,
1875.
M. J. Moore,
S. E. Hale,
1 State Medical Society.
314
History of Essex County.
1876. Conant Sawyer,
1877. C. A. Hopper,
1878. S. E. Hale,
1879. E. T. Strong,
1 88a. Warner Cleveland,
1 88 1. L. Barton,
1882. A. Pollard,
1883. E. F. Edgerly,
1884. P. W. Barber,
1885. Robert T. Saville,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
M. H. Turner,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale,
S. E. Hale.
(S. M. S.) E. F. Edgerly.
(S. M. S.) C. Sawyer.
(S. M. S.) M. H. Turner.
List of present members of the society : ■
Date of J.
admission.
1877. Pliny W. Barber,
1839. Lyman Barton,
1885. Edgar S. Bullis,
1875. F. J. D'Avignon,
1885. Frank T. De Land,
1881. Sam'l F. Dickinson,
1868. Edward F. Edgerly,
1885. A. C. Grover,
1842. Safiford E. Hale,
1874. Chas. A. Hopper,
1883. Edwin S. Howe,
1 88 1. Frank E. Kendal,
1880. Martin J. La Bell,
1874. Albinus J. Merrill,
1840. Joseph B. Murray,
1867. John N. Oliver,
1868. Dudley Palmer,
1 88 1. Warren E. Pattison,
1839. Abiathar Pollard,
1883. Hannibal W. Rand,
1882. Ezra A. Robinson,
1 88 1. Rob't T. Saville,
1868. Conant Sawyer,
1 87 1. E. T. Strong,
1882. Frank E. Sweatt,
1874. Melvin H. Turner,
1882. Sam'l S. Wallian,
1880. Chas. B. Warner,
1 88 1. Joseph Warner,
1873-
1880.
1880.
1879.
Residence.
Westport.
Willsborough.
Schroon Lake.
Ausable Forks.
Westport.
Westport.
Moriah Center.
Port Henry.
Elizabethtown.
Port Henry.
Black Brook.
Low r Jay.
Lewis.
Upper Jay.
Moriah.
Ticonderoga.
Schroon.
Westport.
Westport.
Keene.
Jay.
Mineville.
Ausable Forks.
Elizabethtown.
Willsborough.
Hammondsville. 1874.
Bloomingdale. 1861.
Port Henry. 18 80.
Crown Point. 1853.
School of graduation.
Time of
graduation.
1875. Hosp. Coll. of Med., Ky.
1838. Dartmouth.
1884. Iowa Coll. Phy. & Surg.
1874. Louisville Med. Coll.
1883. Albany Med. Coll.
1 845. Berkshire Med. Coll., Mass.
1864. Albany Med. Coll.
1866. Albany Med. Coll.
1 841. Dartmouth.
University New York.
University Vermont.
University New York.
University Vermont.
1872. University Vermont.
1839. Vermont Med. Coll.
1857. University New York.
1867. University Vermont.
1880. University Vermont.
1836. Castleton Med. Coll.
1 88 1. University Vermont.
1 88 1. University New York.
1864. Albany Med. Coll.
University Vermont.
University Vermont.
Albany Med. Coll.
Philadelphia University.
Bellevue.
Castleton Med. Coll.
1869.
1881.
The County Press. 315
1884. Geo. E. Whipple, Elizabethtown. 1883. Albany Med. Coll.
1882. Rollin C. Wilcox, Ticonderoga. 1879. Licentiate.
Present officers of the Society : President, Robert T. Saville ; vice-presi-
dent, Charles B. Warner ; secretary, S. E. Hale ; treasurer, E. T. Strong. 1
CHAPTER XXV.
THE COUNTY PRESS.
General Remarks — The Reveille, First Journal in County — The Essex Patriot— The Essex Re-
publican — Keeseville Herald — Essex County .Republican — Essex County Times — A Veteran Jour-
nalist — Elizabethtown Post — Ticonderoga Sentinel — Crown Point Budget —The Death Roll of
Journalism.
ESSEX has not been prolific in newspapers. The somewhat remote situa-
tion of the county and particularly of many of the interior towns, with
their sparse population and absence of large villages have operated against the
establishment of public journals and also been the prime cause of the death of
many papers from which their projectors expected some degree of fame and,
undoubtedly, a similar degree of fortune. It is a very sterile and thinly pop-
ulated district in this great country of ours where at least one man cannot be
found who believes himself born to be a journalist ; and nothing can ever dispel
this prevalent belief but the hard lesson of experience. Hence the number of
newspapers that have been started in the county, ' insignificant as it is when
■compared with those of many other locahties, cannot be counted on one's fin-
gers and toes ; and those that have survived the struggle for existence have
been and are a credit to the county, to their editors and proprietors, and have
wielded a vast influence in the various communities and no little power in the
poHtics of the State.
As is commonly the case, there are no copies of the first Essex county
newspaper in existence, as far as we have learned. Too Httle attention is al-
ways paid by citizens to the preservation of newspaper files of local journals.
No one appreciates this fact so fully as the local historian. The moment he
starts out upon the quest for early facts and incidents he is met on every hand
by obstacles so numerous and varied in character that the real marvel is that
it is at all possible to accomplish creditable local historical work. But when
complete files of papers published in the district in hand can be obtained, the
task is shorn of half its diflSculties ; and no authority derived from people's
memories can compare for reliability with that embodied in files of early news-
1 Further brief records of the present physicians of the county will be found in the town histories
in later pages.
3i6 History of Essex County.
papers ; they were made on the spot, if the expression may be permitted, and
seldom went very much astray.
The Reveille was the stirring title of the first public journal of the county,
and it was issued in Elizabethtown about the year 1810, by Luther Marsh.
Beyond this meagre statement little is known c^ *-he paper, what was its suc-
cess, the exact date of its birth or death ; it ma 5 conjectured, however, that
it passed from existence in its early youth, for we find the Essex Patriot pub-
lished at the same place in 1817-18 by L. 8z:. O. Person. This paper was con-
tinued at Elizabethtown until 1820 or a little later, when it was removed to
Essex, re-christened the Essex Republican and published about five years by
Lewis Person ; it then passed into possession of W. N. Mitchell, in whose
hands it suspended. The Republican was revived or started anew about 1822,
by J. K. Averill and was continued by him and by Walton & Person until
about 1830. Probably the next journal in the field was the Keeseville Herald,
which was started at Keeseville in 1825, by F. P. Allen ; he was succeeded in
the proprietorship by A. H. Allen, by whom the paper was continued, with
some brief interruptions, until 1841. In the mean time the Keeseville Argus
was begun at the same place by Adonijah Emmons, and continued five or six
years.
In September, 1839, the Essex County Republican -^^2,.'!, established by Wen-
dell Lansing, who still, after forty-five years of nearly continuous newspaper
work, and at the age of seventy-eight years, stands at the helm of his journal.
In the year 1843 he sold out his establishment to John C. Osburn ; the latter
was succeeded by Milliken & Morgan, and a little later Mr. Morgan published
the paper alone. Glen Tarbell then took the editorial chair and in 1854
turned the establishment over to Joseph W. Reynolds. He conducted it to
about the beginning of the late war, when he died and N. C. Boynton took
the establishment and conducted the business until 1867 when it was burned.
In the meantime Mr. Lansing returned to Keeseville, having been engaged in
farming operations for the benefit of his health, and started the Northern Stan-
dard, which he successfully conducted until i860; at this time he entered the
service of the country, selling his establishment to Mr. Reynolds before men-
tioned. Mr. Lansing returned to Plattsburg from the South to establish a
paper there, which he continued four years, when, in compliance with the gen-
erally expressed desire of the people of Northern Essex, he returned to Keese-
ville and re-established the Essex County Republican, which he has continued
to the present time, lately in connection with his son, A. W. Lansing. This
journal has occupied a leading position among the representative country
weeklies of the State and has wielded a large influence in State politics from
the Republican side of the fence. Mr. Lansing is a native of Madison county
and obtained his education at the local schools and the Cazenovia Academy.
At the age of twenty-one years he entered a printing office in Greenwich, Wash-
R. W. Livingston.
The County Press. 317
ington county, and eight months later was conducting a paper. In 1839 he
came to Keeseville, as stated. He was prominent in the anti-slavery move-
ment and has always taken a radical stand in his party. He raised a company
for the 77th Regiment of New York Volunteers and remained in the service
until failing health forced him to withdraw. He is a vigorous writer and en-
joys the esteem of the community.
In the year 1832 R. W. Livingston came to Elizabethtown from the town
of Lewis and there established the Essex Coimty Times. Three months later
he sold his establishment to Cyrenius S. Newcomb, who conducted the paper
fifteen months and failed. This paper was not a very pretentious affair and
was printed on an old " Ramage " press. Mr. Livingston had arrived at the
conclusion that the legal profession offered advantages not to be secured in the
field of local journalism and began the study of law in the office of Judge Hand ;
he was admitted to the bar in 1837. He became a partner of the judge, con-
tinuing to 1842, when he permanently retired from the profession. In 1851
he established the Elizabethtown Post, using material upon which had been
printed a paper in Westport. Mr. Livingston continued the Post until Feb-
ruary, 1858. The paper passed into possession of A. C. H. Livingston in
i860, his father, R. W. Livingston, having raised a company in the 11 8th
Regment of Volunteers and went into active service with that heroic regi-
ment. He was severely wounded and bears the scar of battle to-day in an
almost helpless arm. A. C. H. Livingston continued the publication of the
Post until 1 87 1, when he sold out to John Liberty. He transferred the estab-
lishment to A. M. Lewis, and in January, 1879, Mr. Livingston bought it back
and has continued the publication since, adding to its name, Gazette, having
purchased the Port Henry paper of that name and incorporated it with the
Post. It is now a bright country journal of democratic proclivities, and en-
joys a liberal patronage.
Continuing the list of newspapers that are still living: The Ticonderoga
Sentinel was established in 1873 (February), by Martin Tobin. It was a small
sheet and continued three years and eight months, when it was sold to R. R.
Stevenson. He continued it until August, 1883, having meanwhile enlarged
it to an eight column paper and otherwise improved it. From August, 1883,
J. E Milholland published the paper, changing its form to quarto. In March,
1885, he sold the establishment toT. R. Knell, formerly principal of the Crown
Point school. It is now a successful and ably edited journal.
There was no newspaper in Crown Point until the year 1878, when, on the
1st of January, R. W. Billett issued the first regular number (preceded by a
prospectus number) of the Crown Point Budget. It was then the smallest of
small newspapers and began its existence under very unpromising surround-
ings. Its proprietor was not a printer and his materials were very meagre ;
but he was something of a natural mechanic and he was bound to succeed, so
3i8 History of Essex County.
he did. The first issue was of eight pages but there were only two short col-
umns to the page. The little journal was liberally supported from the outset,
and in March after its first publication a column was added to each of the
pages, but the number of pages was reduced to four. In October, 1877, it was
again enlarged by two columns to each page. September iSth, 1880, the name
was changed to the Essex County Times and Budget ; the latter title was
dropped in March, 1882. Another column was added to each page when the
first change was made in the name and another when the second change was
made in the title, making it now a handsome seven column sheet. The Times
is Republican in politics and enjoys a large circulation.
The Port Henry Herald was started in 1873 by J. A. Morris, who was suc-
ceeded by Wm. H. Case, who conducted the paper from 1876 to 1882, when
on the 25 th of May, he transferred it to George W. (juy, the present proprietor.
The Herald is a handsome seven column paper, and has always been quite
ably edited.
During the establishment and growth of these several living journals, sev-
eral have been brought into existence only to find early graves. Among them
was the Ausable River Gazette, which was started at Keeseville in about the
year 1847 by D. Turner ; it was published five or six years.
The Old Settler wzs started at Keeseville by A. H. Allen in 1849, ^"<i
subsequently removed to Saratoga Springs. A paper called the Northern Ga-
zette ^2.=, published a few years at Keeseville from 185 1.
The Mountain Echo was published about five years at Ausable Forks by
D. L. Hayes, and discontinued in 1883.
The Berean Guide was published one year in Essex, by Rev. M. Bailey.
The Westport Herald and Essex County Advertiser was started in Westport
in 1845 by D. Turner. It did not live long; and in 1847 passed into posses-
sion of A. H. Allen, who changed its name to the Westport Herald and con-
tinued a few years. The Essex County Times was published at Westport for a
time after 1851. The Westport material was sold to Mr. Livingston, of Eliz-
abethtown, as above stated.
CHAPTER XXVI.
FREE MASONRY IN ESSEX COUNTY. 1
Age of the Local Order — Number of Lodges that have been Established in the Count>— First
Lodge in the County — Officers — Other Lodges and Chapters.
THE institution of Free Masonry has been represented in the county from
the early part of this century. It has been extended here, as elsewhere,
1 This chapter was prepared by the Rev. Wm. R. Woodbridge, of Port Henry.
Free Masonry. 319
whenever a sufficient number of the brethren initiated in other places have been
found ready and able to sustain a lodge, and have applied for a charter to the
Grand Lodge of the State of New York. There have been fifteen lodges es-
tablished, of which eight have ceased to exist, most of them having been closed
during the strong anti- Masonic political excitement between 1830 and 1840.
There have also been at least three chapters of Royal Arch Masons, of which
one is extinct. Now there are seven lodges and two chapters. The first lodge
established was Essex Lodge No. 152 at Essex village, whose charter is dated
February 14th, 1807. No records can be found but it seems to have existed
as late as 1822.
In the same village Iroquois Lodge No. 715 was chartered June 7th, 1862,
with the following officers : James B. Ross, W. M. ; Andrew J. Tucker, S. W. ;
and George Alexander, J. W. The successive Masters have been James B.
Ross (two years), Franklin D. Bennett, Andrew J. Tucker (five years), John
B. Cuyler (four years), and Charles J. Merriam (two years). Its present offi-
cers are Charles J. Merriam, W. M. ; Wilber M. French, S. W. ; and Orrin E.
Hays, J. W. The meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
In 1885 there were fourteen members. Most of the original members of this
lodge came from Sisco Lodge No. 259, which was then meeting at Whallons-
burgh.
At Ticonderoga a number of brethren with the recommendation of Whitehall
Social Lodge No. 145, petitioned the Grand Lodge in 18 10 for a dispensation
to organize as Mt. Hope Lodge No. 254, the following signing the petition :
Peter King, W. M., Levi Wilcox, S. W., Ahira Griswold, J. W., Ebenezer
Hopkins, Levi Thompson, M. D., Abel Potter, Thomas Hunter, Barnabas Moss.
The officers were installed in August, 18 10, by Rev. Salem Town.
After considerable delay a regular charter was granted them with sixteen
members. Their meetings were held on the Monday before the full moon. In
18 1 7 there were twenty- eight members, and in 18 18 forty members, John Cur-
tis being Master both years. In 1821 the lodge received permission to hold
alternate meetings in Ticonderoga and Crown Point, because the members lived
mostly at Schroon, Crown Point and Moriah. The last that can be learned of
it is that the principal officers in 1831 were Horace Stowell, W. M. ; James
Nelson, S. W. ; John W. Pickett, J. W.
A new charter was given June 7th, 1861, to Old Ti. Lodge No. 503, with
the following officers : John Smith, W. M. ; Curtis Allen, S. W. ; D. S. Smith,
J. W. The successive Masters were John Smith (two years), Curtis Allen,
(two years), John Craig, Edmund Burt (three years), Clayton H. Delano (two
years), James H. Bailey (two years), A. M. Pinchin (two years), Clayton E.
Pond (two years). The charter was suspended February, 19th, 1878.
Schroon Lakf Lodge No. 436, in the village of that name, seems to have
been established in September 6th, 1815, on the recommendation of Essex
320 History of Essex County.
Lodge No. 152, with the following officers : Fred H. Stevens, W. M. ; Hiram
S. Potter, S. W. ; Lucius S. Rawson, J. W. Its history is lost in obscurity
until June nth, 1858, when a new charter was granted. After this the suc-
cessive Masters were Hiram S. Potter (three years), , Lucius S. Rawson (nine
years), James L. Leland (two years), Mason T. Burbank, Henry S. Haskell
(three years), Dudley Palmer. The lodge was closed and the charter surren-
dered voluntarily December 22d, 1877, because its seventeen members were
too far scattered to meet.
Prestor Lodge No. 268 at Jay village, on the recommendation of Essex
Lodge No. 152, received a charter November 9th, 18 16, with the following
officers : Reuben Sanford, W. M. ; Ahira Beach, S. W. ; Allen Peck, J. W. ;
and eight other members. In 1818 there were twenty-four and in 18 19 twen-
ty-six members, with the same officers. In 1826 Samuel Cook, was Master
with forty- two members and in 1828 William Otis, 2d, was Master with forty-
six members, and no further record can be found.
Valley Lodge No. 314, at Elizabethtown received a. charter September 6th,
18 1 8 on the recommendation of Essex Lodge No. 152, signed by H. H. Ross
as W. M. Its first officers were Ezra C. Gross, W. M. ; Luman Wadhams, S.
W. ; John Barney, J. W. ; and its other members wereTheo. Ross, Jacob Day,
Norman Newell, Augustus Noble, Hannibal C. Holden, Appleton Woodruff
and Norman Nicholson. The meetings were held the second Monday of the
month, in Mr. Mark's store below the bridge. In 18 19 it reported twenty-six
members with William Livingston as Master. No later record is found until
1830 when a great freshet carried away and destroyed all their property. The
anti-Masonic excitement was very great in town at that time, but no member
is known to have renounced his allegiance.
In the same town Adirondack Lodge No. 602 was chartered July 6th, 1866
with the following officers : Dewitt Staffiard, W. M. ; Rowland C. Kellogg, S.
W. ; and Francis A. Smith, J. W., who with the other four members, A. C. H.
Livingston, A. K. Dudley, G. S. Nicholson and S. C. Williams, had all come
from Sisco Lodge No. 259, at Westport. The successive Masters have been
Francis A. Smith, A. C. H. Livingston (four years), Rowland C. Kellogg (three
years), John Liberty (two years), George S. Nicholson (three years), John W.
Chandler (two years), Arod K. Dudley (three years). The present officers are
Arod K. Dudley, W. M. ; John Liberty, S. W. ; Wm. H. Palmer, J. W. In
1885 there were seventy-seven members. The lodge meets on second and
fourth Tuesdays of the month.
Ml. Moriah Lodge No. 424, in Moriah (Corners) was established under a
dispensation from Grand Master Joseph Enos, February 3d, 1825, with the
recommendation of Mt. Hope Lodge No. 254, to sixteen petitioners, includ-
ing the following officers : Henry C. Day, W. M. ; Buckley Olcott, S. W ; Na-
than Sherman, J. W. Several meetings were held and degrees conferred, and
Free Masonry. 321
the installation of officers took place March 23d, 1826, when by vote of the
lodge, " the installation discourse of Brother Stebbins " was published. The
meetings were held on the Thursday at or preceding the full moon at 2 P. M.
There is a record of their uniting to celebrate St. John's day June 24th, 1825,
with Mt. Hope Lodge, at Ticonderoga, and June 24th, 1827 with Morning
Sun Lodge of Bridport, Vt. It is noticeable that Bro. Alex. McKenzie, who
was the first white child born in the town, was one of the petitioners for this
lodge, became Junior Warden the next year and Senior Warden all the rest of
its existence. He was a most enthusiastic Mason, and died November 19th,
1873, aged eighty-eight years, being then a member of Morning Sun Lodge
No. 142, at Port Henry. Under the tremendous pressure of anti-Masonic
excitement eight members of Mt. Moriah Lodge published a renunciation of
Masonry September 28th, 1834, but one of them recanted and was received into
membership at Port Henry in 1849. In 1835 the charter was forfeited and
finally returned to the Grand Lodge in 1843. The largest number of mem-
bers seems to have been thirty-two in 1827. The number initiated was twenty-
two, one being a Baptist minister. Rev. Gershom Lane, and one a physician,
Dr. Isaac Hatch. The successive Masters were Henry C. Day (three years),
Josephus Cook (two years), and Buckley Olcott.
Morning Sun Lodge No. 142 at Port Henry, was established under dispensa-
tion, August 17th, 1848, granted to thirteen petitioners (eight from the old Mt.
Moriah Lodge No. 424), with the following officers: Chester Stephens, W. M.. ;
Alex. McKenzie, S. W. ; George H. Blinn, J. W. Its regular charter was dated
June 1 2th, 1849, the officers being George H. Blinn, W. M. ; Alex. McKen-
zie, S. W. ; Jona. Tarbell, J. W., twenty-one other members being present at the
first meeting under the charter. The other Masters have been Alex. McKenzie,
John C. Douglass (eleven years), Lynde S. Conn, Ira C. Sprague, Dr. R.
E. Warner, Milton McKenzie (three years), William F. Gookin (three years),
Hosea B. Willard (four years), E. B. Hedding (three years), John W. White-
head (three years), John S. Hicks, William R. Woodbridge (three years), and
Dr. Charles A. Hopper (two years). There have been in all 283 members, of
whom twenty-eight joined from other lodges and the rest were initiated in this
lodge. The first place of meeting was in Pease's hotel, afterwards destroyed
by fire. Next it met for many years in what was once the Academy building,
afterwards Lewald's store, which was also burned, and the present Opera
house built on its site. In 1861 the lodge removed to what is now called
Sprague's hotel, and in 1872 it took possession of its present large and elegantly
furnished hall in the McKenzie block. Three of its members have held offices in
the Grand Lodge, viz., William F. Gookin, who was Deputy Grand Master for
the Thirteenth District in 1877 and 1878, John W. Whitehead, who was
assistant Grand Lecturer in 1882 and Deputy Grand Master for the 13th Dis-
trict in 1884-85, and Elijah B. Hedding, who was assistant Grand Lecturer
21
322 History of Essex County.
in 1880 and 1881. The present officers are Charles A. Hopper, W. M. ; An-
drew Tromblee, S. W. ; Chester B. McLaughlin, J. W., and there are eighty-
two active members. The meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday
evenings of the month.
Ausable River Lodge No. 149, at Keesevilie, was chartered June 20th,
1849, with the following officers: Ira Haywood, W. M. ; Winslow C. Watson,
S. W. ; William H. Brockway, J. W. The successive Masters have been Ira
Haywood (two years), Herman Garhck, Caleb D. Barton (two years), David
Pitkin, George Miller, Oliver Keese, jr. (three years). Dr. Frank M. Hopkins
(nine years), George C. Wilkinson (twelve years), Horace Tousley (two years), N.
Culver Boynton (three years), and Frank C. Morey. For many years Dr. F. M.
Hopkins held the office of assistant Grand Lecturer with great honor to himself
and benefit to the fraternity. The present officers are George C. Wilkinson,
W. M. ; Willis G. Pope, S. W. ; and Matthew A. Thomas, J. W. The present
number of members is forty. The meetings are on the first and third Thurs-
days of the month. In 1885 fifty-six members of this lodge with six others
united in forming a new lodge in their residence at Ausable Forks, which is
chartered under date of June 4th, 1885, as Tahawus Lodge No. 790, their peti-
tion being approved by lodges at Malone, Plattsburg, Elizabethtown and
Keesevilie. But finding the best place for a lodge room on the Clinton county
side of the Ausable river (which divides the village), this lodge now properly
belongs in Clinton county. Its first officers are William J. Gillespie, W. M. ;
George A. Everest, S. W. ; N. B. Slater, J. W. It was regularly constituted
June 30th, 1885, by R. W. J. W. Whitehead, D. D. G. M.
Sisco Lodge No. 259 at Westport (by recommendation of Morning Sun
Lodge No. 142) was chartered June 13th, 1852, with the following officers :
George H. Blinn, W. M. ; John Bowers, S. W. ; C. B. Hatch, J. W. From
1856 to 1870 the meetings were held at Whallonsburgh and then it returned
to Westport where it had a good and well furnished hall which was destroyed
by fire with all its contents August 15th, 1876. A new charter was granted
June 7th, 1877. The dedication of th#ir new hall September 26th, 1877, by
R. W. G. M. Stillman, of Greenwich, N. Y., was a great event. It was attended
by De Soto Commandery Knights Templar, of Plattsburg, Knights Templar
from Burhngton, Vt., accompanied by the Queen City Band, with many Masons
from neighboring lodges and from Vermont. More than 3,000 people witnessed
the ceremonies, and the ladies having relatives in Sisco Lodge provided boun-
tiful refreshments for the 500 Masons present. The successive Masters have
been George H. Blinn (three years), Asa P. Hammond (two years), Lewis
Cady, John Burt, jr. (six years), Willett E. Rogers, Eli W. Rogers, Philetus
D. Merriam (nine years), John J. Greeley (seven years). Nelson J. Gibbs, Henry
I. Stone (two years). The present Master is Henry I. Stone. Its meetings
are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Two hundred and ten
Free Masonry. 323
members have belonged to the lodge ; twenty-five are actual members in
1885.
Molang Lodge No. 370 at Crown Point was chartered July 2d, 1855,
with the following officers : Leland L. Doolittle, W. M. ; Darwin Rider, S.
W. ; Lemuel B. Treadway, J. W. The successive Masters have been L.
L. Doolittle (six years), Chauncey Fenton (seven years), Hiram Buck (two
years). In June, 1870, because of violation of the constitution, the Grand
Lodge declared its charter forfeited. Some of its members with others united
in forming Rescue Lodge No. 772, which was chartered June 17th, 1876, with
the following officers : James D. Hardy, W. M. ; James E. Pond, S. W. ; James
West, J. W. The other Masters have been James E. Pond (seven years), Levi
B. Carlisle (two years), and Sylvanus Taylor Master in 1885, with Harvey D.
Spicer as S. W., and Hyde R. Barnet, J. W. It has fifty-three members in
1885, meeting on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
Whiteface Mi. Lodge No. 789, at Bloomingdale, has a charter dated June
4th, 1885. The first officers are Richard H. Mclntyre, W. M. ; W. S. Hough,
S. W. and C. J. Stickney, J. W. It has twenty-eight members, meeting on the
second and fourth Wednesdays ofithe month. It was formally constituted
July ist, 1885, by R. W. J. W. Whitehead, D. D. G. M.
Royal Arch Masonry in the county began, it would seem, with the estab-
lishment of Westport Chapter No. 127, at Westport, February 27th, 1827, with
Joseph Cook, High Priest, Orris Pier, King and Calvin Willey, Scribe. After
making reports to the Grand Chapter for two years it disappears from the
records.
Split Rock Chapter No. 243, R.A.M., was organized at Essex, June 7th,
T 869, under dispensation from M. E. John W. Simons, Grand High Priest, and re-
ceived a warrant in February, 1870, with the following officers: John Ross,
High Priest, Franklin D. Bennett, King and William Hoskins,Scribe. The other
High Priests have been as follows : Dr. Everard D. Ferguson, Anthony J. B.
Ross, and Dwight E. Field. The number of companions in 1885 was twenty-
one with Dwight E. Field, H. P. ; Diavid S. Hayward, K., and Henry R.
Stower, S. In 1885 there are twenty-one members.
Cedar Point Chapter No. 269, R. A. M., at Port Henry, received its warrant
B'ebruary 4th, 1874, with the following officers : Benjamin M. Beckwith, High
Priest ; Hosea B. Willard, King, and Albert Salmon, Scribe. The other High
Priests have been Hosea B. Willard, Charles Satterly, John W. Whitehead
and Andrew Tromblee. In 1885 there were thirty-two members with these
officers: Andrew Tromblee, H. P.; Elijah B. Hedding, K., and Milton
McKenzie, S.
There are no other secret societies known to be in the county at present.
But the Sons of Temperance had several Divisions at one time (about 1850),
one of which was Boquet Division S. of T. No. 497, at Elizabethtown, whose
324 History of Essex County.
charter is dated March 17th, 1849. It was broken up at the beginning of the
war in 1861 and there was about the same time (1849) a Division at Port Henry,
the records of which cannot be found. To both of these there was attached
an organization of Cadets of Temperance for the boys. A lodge of Knights
of Pythias was organized in Fort Henry, January ist, 1875, which disbanded
after two years. Its name was Adirondack Lodge, No. 132, K. P.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE territory within the Hmits of Essex county was originally a part of Al-
bany county formed in 1683 and then embracing all the northeastern part
of the State. Albany county was divided in 1772 and the northern section,
embracing both sides of Lake Champlain, was organized into a new county
and named Charlotte. In 1784 the name of Charlotte county was changed to
Washington and the subsequent settlement of the Vermont controversy (1791)
limited its territory in the Champlain Valley to the western side of the lake.
In 1788 Clinton county was formed from Washington, and embraced the ter-
ritory which now constitutes the counties of Essex, Clinton and the eastern
portion of Franklin. This large county was divided into four towns, Cham-
plain, Plattsburg, Crown Point and Willsborough ; these towns were formed at
the same time of the organization of Clinton county. Essex county was formed
from Clinton on the ist of March, 1799; its boundaries have not since been
changed except the taking off of a corner in the formation of Franklin county
in 1808. When Essex county was formed it comprised the town of Crown
Point, as then constituted, and the greater part of Willsborough as then con-
stituted ; the latter town then embraced three of the present towns of Clinton
county. Crown Point being, therefore, the oldest town in Essex county (aside
from the portion of Willsborough just mentioned), we shall give it the first place
in the succession of town histories, following with the others in chronological
order as far as possible.
HISTORY OF CROWN POINT.i
THE town of Crown Point was formed on the 23d of March, 1788, as
a part of Clinton county, and received its name from the old French
fortress situated on a point of land extending into the lake in the northeastern
1 There are two opinions as to the derivation of this name, each, perhaps, equally entitled to re-
spect. One is, that the important site received its name in honor of the Crown of the nation first oc-
cupying it ; the other, that it was so called from the conspicuous position and prominence of the
point.
Town of Crown Point. 325
corner of the town. In its original limits it embraced the present town of that
name, with the present towns of Ticonderoga (taken off in 1804), Moriah
(1808), Westport (from Elizabethtown 1815), Elizabethtown (1798), Schroon
(1804), Minerva (from Schroon 18 17), Newcomb (from Minerva and Moriah
1828), North Hudson (from Moriah 1848), and a part of Keene.
Crown Point lies upon the shore of Lake Champlain southeast of the cen-
ter of the county. The central part of the town is broken, the hills gradually
rising into the mountainous district in the western part. A strip of nearly level,
highly cultivated and productive land extends along the lake shore. The
principal stream is Putnam's creek which rises in the ponds among the moun-
tains. In its course are numerous falls and it furnishes considerable water
power at several points. The soil on the lake shore is a deep, rich, clayey
loam ; in the interior it is of a light character. The town abounds in rich iron
ore and mining has been extensively developed. There are also beds of natu-
ral phosphate of lime, and graphite and colored marble are found in abundance
and are profitably worked. About a mile and a half from the shore of the
lake is a mineral spring.
The " Point," which gives the town its name and which has formed such a
conspicuous landmark in the early history of the county,^ is a beautiful and
fertile peninsula formed by Bulwagga bay, which extends southward out of
the lake, thus directing the head of the peninsula northward. In earlier pages
of this work we have referred to the strong probability that previous to or
early in the period of French occupation, a large and busy village stood upon
this peninsula where to-day not even a hamlet exists. While the inference has
not been clearly proven, we are warranted in the belief that previous to the
French occupation the place had assumed considerable importance as a settle-
ment and trading post between the French, English, Dutch and Indians ; and
it is known that an important traffic existed between the French and English
possessions previous to the Revolution, the great highway for the transaction
of which was Lake Champlain. In any event, it is certain that long anterior
to the Revolution Crown Point was the site of a thriving village. This fact is
revealed by evidences of a street extending from near the fort towards the main-
land and sidewalks which still exist. Ruins of cellars on each side of this street
are also visible, in such proximity to each other as to indicate close settlement ;
while the narrowness of the street strongly suggests similar avenues in ancient
French-Canadian villages. Along the margin of the bay " the ground has,"
in the opinion of Mr. Watson, "been graded, and formed into an artificial
slope," and the shores improved for the landing of bateaux and canoes. Frag-
ments of walls and fruit trees indicating inclosed gardens and orchards are
still to be seen. Plum trees of varieties now rare except in Canada, still bear
1 For a summary of military events in which Crown Point was directly or indirectly involved, see
history of Ticonderoga immediately succeeding that of this town.
326 History op Essex County.
fruit from year to year. During the French occupation large tracts of land
were cleared between Crown Point and Ticonderoga, which ha.s since largely
grown up with a second forest ; and traces of buildings, of burial grounds (one
near the garrison and one about three miles south), and other less prominent indi-
cations, point unmistakably to the conclusion that this region was once numer-
ously populated. Mr. Watson has recorded the fact that " Nathan Beaman,
the youthful guide of Ethan Allen, informed Mr. Sheldon that he recollected
several stores transacting business at Crown Point previous to 1775." Rogers,
the ranger, refers in his journal to the growing crops on the fields of Crown
Point and to settlements on the east side of the lake,^ here not much more
than one-fourth of a mile wide, one of which was two miles from the fort, and
speaks of the presence of "three hundred men, chiefly inhabitants of the ad-
jacent villages." He also alludes to the firing of the village itself at Crown
Point.
The ruins of the fortifications at Crown Point, as well as at Ticonderoga,
still indicate their former strength and magnitude. At Crown Point indistinct
landmarks are left of the original fortress of St. Frederic, while the remains of
the magnificent works erected at so much expense by Amherst are in such a
state of preservation that the fort might be restored in its original form. The
form of the extensive stone barracks which enclosed the esplanade is distin-
guishable, although one side has been demolished and another partially re-
moved, a desecration that was carried on for the purpose of transporting the
building materials elsewhere. The walls of two of the barracks, 192 and 216
feet in length respectively, still stand bare, roofless, without floors, their beams
charred by fire, mutely attesting their former greatness. The whole circuit,
measuring along the line of the original ramparts, was a little less than half a
mile. Around the ramparts was a broad ditch cut in the solid limestone, from
which the massive barracks were constructed. A well was dug also in the solid
rock within the inclosure to a depth of ninety feet, with a diameter of about
fifteen feet. The interesting ruins of this historic fortress are now saved from
further destruction by the purchase of the site of the ruins by the State. The
Crown Point Iron Company owns the adjoining lands and holds a lease of the
State's purchase, but the ruined fort cannot be further molested.
To-day portions of the cleared and improved tract on the "Point" which
awaited the triumph of the Americans in the Revolution, are forest- covered
again and give little outward indication to the casual observer, that cultivated
crops and orchards smiled upon the producers more than a hundred years ago ;
that a thickly-settled community dwelt where now but a few isolated farm-
houses stand, to be driven away and their possessions left to return to their
original wildness by the devastating hand of war.
1 Chimney Point on the eastern shore of the lake derives its name from the remains of habitations
found there in early days.
Town of Crown Point. 327
The military and other history of this town has already been fully detailed
in these pages — history that will forever present Crown Point as one of the
most prominent landmarks in the continued struggles that ended only when
freedom and independence were secured for America. With the end of the
Revolutionary struggle emigration followed quickly in the wake of peace, and
the Champlain Valley was among the first destined localities to feel its be-
neficent influence. The embarrassments caused by conflicting land claims were
largely ended ; Gilliland's colony to the north, although its fortunes as far as
he was concerned were about to decline, had become numerous and prosper-
ous ; the natural attractiveness of the region could not be excelled, and therefore
a hardy and industrious population came up from the northward or crossed the
lake from the east and made permanent settlements which formed the founda-
tion of the present prosperity of this and other towns.
The first town meeting of Crown Point was held in December, 1788. At
that time, when a town often embraced more territory than now constitutes
many counties, the local offices were filled by methods different from those that
prevail at the present time. It was commonly admitted that the town officers
should be appointed to the various prominent settlements. These localities
held primary meetings at which persons were designated for the specified offices
which the respective localities were entitled to. These nominations were
sent to the general town meeting, where they were, as a rule, confirmed. The
general election occupied three days. A half day from the first two days the
polls were opened at four different points, and the third day at some central or
more populous settlement. When a town was twenty or thirty miles in extent,
this method facilitated the election and was, indeed, about the only one by
which it could be hoped the people at large would be fully represented. In
the little history of Crown Point published by Samuel S. Spaulding in 1873.
he says, under date of 1806: " I remember well i^hen the sheriff" brought a
ballot box and some votes to m y father and told him that he was appointed, with
Samuel Foot and Alexander McKenzie, to travel the regions of Crown Point
all over and collect every legal vote that could be found in town, and to meet
at McKenzie's on a set day and count them, etc. This was accordingly done,
and forty-four votes were all that could be obtained. "'^
The settlers that came in, not only to this town but throughout the county,
were almost wholly of New England origin. In this growing population was
sufficient of the leaven of intelligence and morality to lay the foundations of the
later high social standard of the various communities. At the same time there
came in, as is always the case in new settlements, a large element of discord,
dissipation and immorality of one kind or another. This element was increased
and rendered more active through the baneful influences of the Revolutionary
War, and the state of society was for a few years deplorable ; there was little
iThe loss of the town records by fire prevent our giving the first town officers and other details
of the town organization.
328 History of Essex County.
restraints of government upon the naturally lawless and in too many cases,
might was considered right. Of this state of society Mr. C. Fenton observed
to Mr. Watson, as recorded in his work on this county, " When an individual
wished to secure a piece of land, he erected upon it a cabin, and repelled others
by physical force ; if unsuccessful or absent, his cabin was prostrated, and the
last aggressor took possession of the coveted premises and claimed the title.
The parties with their partisans and a supply of whisky met on the soil and
' tried their wager of battle.' The victor maintained the possession." The vener-
able S. L. Herrick, now of Iowa, writing in 1883 of the town half a century pre-
vious, said : " I learned that there was a very good reason why there should be
a lack of improvement on farms in some portions of the town. The right of
soil could not be obtained. People bought and sold merely the possession.
Large sections were owned by persons or their heirs in England, to whom the '
British government had given patents before the Revolution. Their claims
were good and the possessors might be driven off at any moment. When the
right of soil could finally be obtained, which was after 1830, there was more en-
couragement to make improvement by cultivation and building."^
To correct these evils an association was formed and a system adopted
which required a person desiring to occupy a lot to perfect a survey of the
premises and to file a transcript with the secretary of the society. The title
thus established was held sacred for the purpose of that community.
Law courts, were then of the most primitive character — more or less of a
burlesque upon justice. They were held as a rule in taverns, the landlord
often being the justice, and the numerous petty suits born of neighborhood
wrangles of no consequence except to the disputants, and of very little to them,
were more influential in bringing patronage to the bar-room of the justice
than in promoting the welfare of the community.
This condition of society was not at all peculiar to this town, but prevailed
throughout the county; and, as we have said, there was sufficient of a better
element among the earlier settlers to rapidly turn the tide in favor of order
and morality and blot out the influences of the war. Industry in the clearing
of the forest-covered lands increased and with it grew a spirit of frugality that
was soon apparent in all of the settlements ; and the good work was advanced
by the early establishment of schools and religious organizations.
The author just quoted (Mr. Herrick) says: " As I go back to 1826 and
call up the faces of the people as pictured on the tablet of my memory, I see but
little fault in any of them. As a whole the people were kind, generous, friendly
and desirous of deserving and maintaining a respectable position in society.
The exceptions were so few as to render them scarcely worthy of notice. The
solitary hoodlum went about as a lonely wanderer, respected by no one and
despised even by himself. Such are my present impressions."
1 See history of town of Ticonderoga.
Town of Crown Point. 329
It is well known, however, that a very different social code existed in those
early days relative to intemperance and the general use of spirits than prevails
at the present time. Whisky was then almost universally used, not only by
those without church organizations, but also by a large proportion of church
members, and even in many cases by preachers themselves ; and the habit was
not looked upon as necessarily carrying with it that tinge of social disrespect
now attaching to it. Few public occasions passed without being surrounded
by the aroma of whisky ; town meetings and public meetings of all kinds,
"bees," as they were called, where neighbor assisted neighbor in some arduous
task, " raisings" (even the raising of church frames), all were carried on amid the
stimulus of ardent spirits. This state of social affairs could not but contribute to
the general feeling of free license towards outlawry of one kind or another.
But this general indulgence in a dangerous agent gradually passed away.
Temperance organizations of various kinds sprang up and aided in the general
reform. Mr. Herrick notes the announcements that Judge Murdock's only
■daughter would be married without the provision of wine on the occasion, and
that Dr. Hale's barn would be raised without appeal to the " elevating " influ-
ence of whisky, as conspicuous events in the gradually growing determination
of the community to consume less liquor.
Closely following upon the desolated farms and homes in the track of the
Revolutionary War came the pioneers. The first judge of Clinton- county (or-
ganized 1788) was Charles Piatt, and William McAuley, so frequently mentioned
in Gilliland's journal, was a side judge. Plattsburg was the county seat.
It is probable that there was but one road then leading northward from
Ticonderoga to Split Rock, and that of the most primitive character. Previous
to the year 1800 the interior of the town was but very little known to settlers,
possibly not at all to any who subsequently located there. Hunters and trap-
pers had reported a tract of excellent land for occupation about ten miles square
and embracing Putnam's creek and its tributaries. West of this inviting section,
it was said, rose the mountain peaks that overtopped the sources of the Hud-
son. When intelligence of the locality reached the New England States, men
and their families who met for social intercourse discussed the advisability
of migrating to the " promised land," just as in later years families in New
York State consulted over plans of " going west." These discussions and con-
sultations were the prime cause that started the pioneers of 1800 and subse-
quent years for the western shores of Lake Champlain, a number of whom
found future homes in this town. One of the first to arrive was Stephen Spauld-
ing (father of Samuel Spaulding mentioned on a preceding page). He lived in
Salisbury, Vt, and caught the " New York fever," as it was termed. With
several others he started in September, 1800, to make an exploration of the
interior district of Crown Point. They purposed ascending every hill or mount-
ain until they should find one that overtopped all the rest, whence they could,
330 History of Essex County.
like the great man of the Bible, see the land " flowing with milk and honey,"
and of which, unlike him, they could take possession. On the third day of
their expedition, late in the afternoon, they were on the summit of Rhodes's
Hill. From this eminence they obtained the fine view which they desired of
the lands surrounding, with Lake Champlain and the hills of Vermont in the
distance. Upon their return they pronounced the country, to use their own
language, " splendid to behold." ^ They returned to Vermont the next day.
In June, 1801, Mr. Spaulding, in company with Abner Newton and Solo-
omon Chase, returned to " the wilds of Crown Point," built a woods camp and
worked together until they had cleared each a fallow of about three acres, when
they again returned to their homes. In September they again crossed the
lake to their clearings. By this time a few others had followed in the track of
the pioneers and made similar clearings. All now united their labors, burned
off their fallows and soon had each his log cabin ready for the reception of his
family.
In the following February Mr. Spaulding moved his family, then consist-
ing of himself, his wife and three children, the youngest, Samuel, being but
two months old. From that time emigration to the town was quite continuous
and rapid, and with the lapse of two years about forty families had located in
the interior of the town. These lands had not then, as far as known to the set-
tlers, been surveyed or claimed by any one. In 1805 William Cockburn and
Goldsbrow (Goldsboro?) Bangor came from Kingston, Ulster county, laid claim
to the lands, surveyed them and sold them to the settlers at prices ranging
from three to four dollars per acre. Mr. Spaulding writes : " My father's lot
proved to be No. 47 in Cockburn's patent, now (1873) owned by Edwin Floyd."
Among these first settlers were Israel Douglass, Abner Newton, Solomon
Chase, John Eastman, John Sisson, Joseph Lockwood, Ephraim Towner, Dan-
iel Bascom, Elisha Rhoades, Levi Rhoades, Wm. Barrows, Josiah Converse,
Simon Hart, Abijah Nichols, Asa Nichols, Elder Lamson, Amos Lamson,
Enos Lamson, Joseph Searles, John Chillis and Thomas Scott. During the
same period the following families are named by Mr. Spaulding as having lo-
cated in the eastern and central parts of the town : Robert Walker, Aaron
Townsend, George and Alexander Trimble, the Barnetts, Murdocks and Brookses,
James Morrow, Samuel Foot, Dennis Meagher, Andrew Hardy, the Heustis,
Crossman, Bigelow, Drake, Davis, Rogers, Hildreth, Newell, Stanton, Strong
and King families, John Renne, Elijah Grosvenor, Rodolphus Field (the first,
physician) and perhaps others. The point of settlement of many of these and
others, will be given a little farther on.
Before the energetic labors of these men and their families forests were
felled, lands cleared, buildings erected, mills built, shops started and schools-
and religious meetings established, and soon the new town began to take on
the aspects of civilized happiness and prosperity.
1 Mr. Spaulding's pamphlet.
Town of Crown Point. 331
Elisha Rhoades opened a small store — merely a little stock of household
necessaries — in the same room in which he lived, and supplied the pioneers as
well as he could. At the same time he bought ashes from all who brought
them, which he manufactured into potash and exchanged again for his goods.
This was a very important source of revenue for pioneers in all parts of the
country ; indeed it was almost the only one at a time when it was nearly im-
possible to get cash from any quarter or for any article. The pioneers found
little difficulty in hoarding large quantities of ashes, which they were forced to
make in clearing their lands and they were always marketable, for the demand
for potash was constant.
The first school, an institution that has always closely followed the settle-
ment of pioneers in a new country, was opened about this time (1805 or '6),
which was also kept in the same room where Mr. Rhoades had his store and
his living accommodations, and was taught by his wife. She had five scholars,
who were seated on the flat (would that we might also write the " soft ") side
of a pine slab in which were stuck pieces of round limbs for legs. That was
the extent of the school furniture.
When it is known that many deer roam the forests of the Adirondacks at
the present day, it will readily be conceived that, when the pioneers settled
Crown Point and meat was not available except at the muzzle of the hunter's
gun, many famous Nimrods dwelt among the settlers, while there were few
who could not amply provide for their families in this respect. Mr. Spaulding
mentions one of the " mighty hunters," named Comfort Towner, " whose name
is still familiar to the oldest inhabitants." He made his home with Stephen
Spaulding for a year or more, and he asserted that he killed the first year more
than forty deer within a mile of Mr. Spaulding's clearing. Fish were plenty,
also, Putnam's creek abounding with trout. Mr. Spaulding says : " My brother
Miles, who was some five years my senior, would go with the neighboring boys
and take me with them. We would go about a mile from our place in a south-
west direction, by the aid of marked trees, to the high falls on Put's creek,
now known as Penfield's grist-mill, and fish down stream as far as Rhoades's,
the distance of about a mile, and would generally capture about thirty pounds
of the speckled beauties, weighing from one-fourth to one and one-half pounds
each."
The military spirit engendered by the Revolutionary War was still abroad,
and the people of separate localities were annually (or oftener) called on for
military duty in the form of drills and practice in the manual. In 1806 the
inhabitants of Crown Point, with those of Schroon, Moriah and Ticonderoga,
were called for this purpose. The entire force mustered numbered less than
eighty men. They went through a crude drill exercise, marching about among
the stumps and brush-heaps that still encumbered the fields.
Mr. Spaulding chronicles his memory (probably in the first decade of the
332 History of Essex County.
century) of riding with his parents from the top of " Amy Hill " to the lake,
when there was but one house from that place to Hammond's Corners (Crown
Point village), and not one from there to the lake ; all a forest of pine until
they neared the lake, when " the timber dwindled d6wn to scrub oak bushes
and small pines;" this was doubtless second growth timber.
Lake Champlain itself at that time could boast very little of its present
activity. There were, perhaps, half a dozen small sloops and a few schooners,
which sufficed for its entire commerce and not a " wharf or a ware-house from
Essex to Whitehall."
As early as 1807 Elisha Rhoades built a tavern and dancing hall. It still
stands at " Buck Hollow " and is known as " The Old Rookery." He finished
the structure in time to dedicate it with a New Year's ball. A large party as-
sembled, coming with ox teams or on foot, and the affair was a pronounced
success. It was not exactly a modern dancing party in high society, but it
sufficed just as well and was, doubtless, just as much enjoyed by the partici-
pants as are the more elaborate social events of modern days.
Almost the first necessity of the pioneer is milling facilities. The impulse
given to a new community when it becomes known that grain can be ground
and boards obtained near by home, can scarcely be comprehended. There-
fore, it is not surprising that James Morrow, who must have been a man of
enterprise, built a mill at Crown Point Center. He also estabhshed the first
tavern and store there, both about the year 1800. In 18 10 Allen Penfield, a
young man of some means and a good deal of energy, built a grist and saw-
mill at what is now Ironville. To his property there he made subsequent
extensive additions and retained it until his death, when he had reached the
venerable age of eighty-seven years. In the next year (181 1) Ebenezer Hop-
kins built a saw and grist-mill a mile farther down the stream at Buck Hol-
low, as it is called. So it will be seen that the early settlers in this town were
much better supplied with milling facilities than was often the case in new
communities.
The people of this town were frequently agitated early in the troubles of 1 8 1 2
and reports often reached them that a formidable force was on the way from Can-
ada to devastate their homes. In September, 18 14, an alarm came that stirred
every heart in the town. It was in the evening, and the warning flew from
house to house that the enemy were approaching and that every man who
could bear arms must appear at the rendezvous the next morning. These or-
ders were transmitted to all the settlements of the county. The gathering the
next morning must have made an exciting and picturesque scene. Mr. Spauld-
ing says : " Here were men and women of all ages and conditions, from the old
frosty head of eighty winters down to the infant in its mother's arms. Here
were men and women assembled together, all one common family and one
common cause. Here was borrowing and lending of guns, hats, coats, boots
Town of Crown Point. 333
and money — anything to help or facilitate the march. One old man named
McAuley, a cripple from birth, lent his hat and coat and offered to loan his
crutches ! "
It must, indeed, have been a motley army that started about ten o'clock for
Plattsburg. For the next few days exciting rumors reached the town, and
there was much anxiety. The battle was fought on Sunday, the nth of Sep-
tember, and on the following Tuesday Captain Archibald Smith, of Whitehall,
sailed his sloop up the lake and spread the news of the victory. Congratula-
tions and general rejoicing succeeded, as the welcome intelligence spread over
the town.
From this time on the "grizzled front of war" was not seen nor feared in
Crown Point, and the inhabitants returned to their ill-paid avocations of clear-
ing land, burning trees and making potash, or manufacturing during the winter
seasons lumber, shingles, staves, brooms, baskets, etc., by the sale of which
they could earn a little money or secure what was a good equivalent, house-
hold goods. Large quantities of maple sugar were made annually for many
years after the settlement, and, according to Mr. Spaulding, tons of it were
transported on men's backs to Vermont, where it found a market. In the
same laudable desire to provide for their families and better their situations
generally, many of the men made a practice for many years of going across to
Vermont to help the farmers through their haying and harvesting.
About the year 18 13 the inhabitants of the town derived some temporary
benefit from what constituted one of the first commercial incidents on the lake.
A considerable number of troops were stationed at Skenesborough (now White-
hall), and some fortunate individual conceived the idea of shipping the surplus
products of the community to the encampment for sale to the soldiery. Sam-
uel Renne then had a ferry across the lake here ; a scow was hired from him by
a dozen or more of the inhabitants and loaded with a cargo of potatoes, onions,
squashes, melons, butter, honey, etc. The contributprs to the cargo all went
along, so the crew was a large one, considering the size of the boat. Blankets
were hoisted for sails, and before a good breeze this early commercial venture
sailed 'away for Whitehall about the first of October. The cargo was sold out
to good advantage and all returned in safety. ^
At this point we will introduce the assessors' roll of the town for the year
18 18, which undoubtedly gives the names of a large majority of those who
permanently located here previous to that date. It is as follows, the spelling
of the names being given as they appear on the records : —
1 " One of the party named Seaver, who always admired a good horse, said on his return that 'he
had no idea they had such good horses in the Southern States until he went and saw them for him-
self!'" Spaulding's Pamphlet. If this incident is true it only indicates the feeling of remoteness
from large settlements entertained by the pioneers of Crown Point, with perhaps a little lack of geo-
graphic knowledge.
334
History of Essex County.
Jewit Armstrong,
Benjamin Allen,
George Adkins,
Abraham Amy,
Rodman Austin
Levi Adams,
Seth Adkins,
David Allen,
John Amy,
Obed Abbot,
John Bigelow,
Eben Bigelow,
Stephen Butterfield,
William L. Burrows,
Daniel Brooks,
Simon Bradford,
Daniel Bascom,
James H. Barnett,
Nathan Barrit,
Joel Boyington,
Asa W. Barnett,
Lewis L. Bennet,
Israel Burdet,
Amos Bigelow,
Levi Bigelow,
John F. Bishop,
Jonathan Brooks,
Ethan Bouge,
John Blackman,
Allen Breed,
George Balou,
Reuben Barrit,
Samuel Barrows,
Wilder Butterfield,
Jesse Burrows,
Moses Bartlet,
Samuel Barker,
Amos Chilcott,
Charles Coburn,
Aaron Chapin,
Justice Chapin,
John Chilcott,
Abijah Chilcott,
Thomas Cummings,
Justine Chapin,
Zebade Cooper,
Calvin Chapman,
Abraham Chellis,
Elijah Converse,
Jonas Cutter,
Edmond B. Chapin,
John CheUis,
Josiah Converse,
Amos Cole,
Amos Cram,
Abraham Clark,
John Grossman,
Ira Grossman,
Elijah Grossman,
John B. Catlin,
James Dudey,
David Drake,
Joseph Drake,
Elijah Davis,
John Dibble,
Hammond Davis,
David Drake,
David Drake,
Horace Dunlap,
Daniel R. Davis,
Willard Davis,
Stephen Edmund,
Joseph Fuller,
Thomas Farnsaworth,
Jesseniah Farewell,
Samuel J. Foot,
Franklin M. Foster,
Aron Fuller,
Samuel Foot,
Rodophus Field,
John Gedding,
Jonas B. Griswoold,
Elijah Grosvenor,
Thomas Glidding,
Alexander Griswoold,
Barney Hews,
Leonard Hildreth,
Benjamin B. Hustice,
Timothy Huestice,
James Hildreth,
Stephen Hunter,
Ebenezer Hopkins,
Jeremiah Hildreth,
Wm. B. Hustice,
Joshua Holden,
Joshua Holden,
Jeremiah Jenks,
John King,
Sylvester Kellog,
O. P. Kemp,
Stephen Lamson,
Wm. Livingstone,
Jesse Lyon,
Horace Lamson,
James Lewis,
Ezekiel Lamson,
Elder Lamson,
Henry G. Lane,
Joseph Lockwood,
Berny Magowan,
John Magennis,
Samuel Murdock,
Joseph Meritt,
Robert Makenzie,
Royal Munroe,
Susan McAlly,
Spaulding Miles,
Abner Maynard,
Heman Maynard,
Moses Mclntyre,
Benjamin Morse,
Andrew Nichols,
Wm. Newel,
Wm. Nelson,
Seth Newel,
Joshua Newel,
Town of Crown Point.
33S
Asa Nichols,
Zadock Nichols,
Amasa Nichols,
Aaron Nichols,
Rufus Nims,
Asa Nichols, 2d,
Albe Nichols,
John Nichols,
John Rogers,
Elisha Rhoads,
John Renne,
Wm. Russel,
Nehemiah Russel,
Henry Rowley,
Hiram Rowley,
Benjamin Reed,
Aaron Nichols (Sugar Hill)P. Nathan Simond,
Israel Ober,
Benjamin Ober,
Samuel Ober,
John Ober,
Wm. Perkins,
Amaziah Phillips,
Clark Phipin,
Amos Pulcifer,
W. John Pickett,
Reuben Phillips,
Martin Quantem.as,
Levi Rhoads,
George Reed,
Daniel Rogers,
Royal Stowel,
Samuel Shattuck,
Benjamin Stratten,
Perly Seaver,
John J. Sisson,
Benjamin Smith,
Asa Stowel,
David Stowel,
Nathan Sprague,
Joseph Searl,
John Sisson,
Ephraim Sawyer,
Jabes Stratton,
Thomas Scoot,
Reuben Smith,
James Smith,
Samuel Smith,
Thomas Turner,
Timothy Taft,
Amos Thompson,
Ephraim Towner,
Aaron Townsend,
C. A. Trimble,
Harvey Tuttle,
Joseph Town,
Ira Town,
Silas Town,
William Treadway,
James Walker,
Roswell Ward,
E. Aaron Wheeler,
Asa Wilcox,
Phineas Wilcox,
Daniel Wilder,
Isaac Wilkins,
Thomas Witherbee.
Isaac Scoot,
The assessed valuation of the town was then $81,155 on real estate, and
$20,062 on personal.
Of these men, according to the authority of Foster Breed, who came to the
town in 181 5 and is now one of the oldest residents, Jewit^ Armstrong, George
Adkins, Israel and Benjamin Ober, Josiah Converse, Amos Pulcifer, Jesse
Lyon, Henry G. Lane, Timothy Taft, Moses Mclntyre and Benjamin Reed
lived in the western part of the town. John and Eben Bigalow, Joel Boying-
ton, Nathan Sprague, and William Treadway lived in the "Upper Hollow"
and immediate vicinity. James Walker, Benjamin and Timothy Huestis (the
latter still living at about ninety years of age), Abraham Clark, Asa W. Bar-
net (of whom Foster Breed bought his farm), Samuel Shattuck and a few
others located on "Sugar Hill." Daniel Brooks, on the "Vineyard road."
John Chellis in the "white meeting-house" neighborhood. Asa and David
Stowell, David Drake, Aaron Fuller, William and Nehemiah Russel, Alex-
ander Griswold, located on the road from the lake to and along Bulwagga
mountain and in that immediate vicinity. Seth and Joshua Newel located
near the "white meeting-house." Heman Maynard, the Lamsons, and Reu-
1 The spelling of these names is from the roll and is undoubtedly incorrect or at least different in
some instances from that now followed.
336 History of Essex County.
ben Phillips, on the road leading to Port Henry. John and Abijah Chilcott,
Samuel Murdock, and Thomas Turner on the lake road. Samuel Foote at
Long Point, John and Ira Grossman on the south side of Sugar Hill, or be-
tween that eminence and the lake. Some others we have been unable to
definitely locate.
General progress was the rule throughout the town until the year 1816,
when the people were afflicted by what 'has. ever since been known as "the cold
summer." An event of that character might occur at the present day when
the country is thickly settled and every community possesses the wealth nec-
essary to bring to its doors by the aid of railroad and steamboat from distant
localities, supplies of the necessaries of life ample to tide over any transient
famine ; but in those days, when everybody was living, to use a homely phrase,
" from hand to mouth ; " when extreme scarcity of crops in one section was
aggravated by the facts that there was little money in frontier communities
with which to purchase in older towns, and inadequate means of transporta-
tion from distant points, then such a season as that of 18 16 meant alniost if not
positive starvation to many who had little or nothing laid by for time of need.
That summer was a remarkable phenomenon and its like has not been ex-
perinced in this country since. The sun seemed to give out but little of its ac-
customed heat; ice formed in some localities in every month of the year ; flurries
ofsnow were frequent; in this town half an inch, or more, fell on the 8th day of
June ; crops could not grow and ripen, except in the most favored localities, and
the people felt the necessity of saving for seed in the next season. When that time
arrived, starvation was near the doors of many pioneers. It is at such times that
the inborn natures of men come to the surface; and while ther^ were many in-
stances of the noblest unselfishness on the part of those who had food, towards
those who had not, there were, on the other hand, many who refused the aid it was
in their power to render, except upon the most exorbitant terms. If it is asked
how the people lived ; the answer is, that they depended on their limited num-
ber of cows, the fish and game of the streams and forests, and the wild berries.
While extreme cases of suffering were not general or numerous, wide-spread
want prevailed. An interesting instance of the privations and hardships of the
time has been related by the late John Ober of this town, which Mr. Spauld-
ing gives in his own language as follows : —
" I got completely up a stump. I heard that Gol. Howe, of Shoreham, had
some flour to sell, I took 96 lbs., of potash in a bag, and my father took 45 lbs.,
in another, and we started for Shoreham 12 miles distant, about sun rise, and
when we got within about three miles of Gol's., my father gave out, and I took
his load in addition to my own, and carried it the rest of the way, we sold our
potash, bought our flour and started for home again ; I had the flour of two
bushels of wheat, and ten pounds of coarse flour of my own, and father had
what flour his potash came to, and we had not got more than half-way home.
'-^z.iiTc^ ^_yu7^^!xa^<ltr^'''a
Siig'^iyj-Ifi Sails Sons.Wev/Tcflc
Town of Crown Point. 337
before my father gave out again, then I took his load in addition to my own
and carried it home, arriving after midnight. I tell you, the next day we were
pretty tired and sore."
It was about this period that a young man left his home in Pittsford, Vt.,
for an extended business and prospecting tour in what was then the " far west;"
but not finding in that section sufficiently attractive prospects to induce him to
permanently locate there, he returned to his eastern home, which he reached
in May, 1822. He had been as far west as St. Louis. This young man's
name was Charles F. Hammond. He carried with him the following letter: —
"Pittsford, April loth, 1817.
" To wftom it may concern : —
" Mr. Charles F. Hammond, the bearer hereof, a son of Hon. Thomas
Hammond, esquire, etc., of a very respectable family, in affluence in this town,
who is about to journey into the State of New York and elsewhere, partly on
account of his health, and with a view to establish himself in business corres-
ponding with his taste, and having been bred with us and we being personally
acquainted with his reputation, feel happy in commending him as a young
gentleman of good moral character, possessing a good mind and disposition
and of strict integrity and worthy of the attention of the virtuous and good part
of the community, and to such we are happy to recommend him as deserving
all encouragement, civility and attention that a young man of such reputation
justly merits. Respectfully, we are,
" Gordon Newell,
" Amos Kellogg, Justice of the Peace.
" Caleb Hendee, jr., " " "
"Andrew Leach, > „ ,
„T iir \ Selectmen.
" Isaac Wheaton, )
Charles F. Hammond and his future sons were destined to exercise a
mighty influence upon the fortunes of Crown Point, whither he came soon after
he returned from the West. Arriving here he hired out to Colonel Job L. Howe
at one dollar per day to oversee the clearing of timber land and building a dam
at " the Overshot." He first camped out in a shanty, but afterwards built a log
house to live in. Colonel Howe employed about fifty men, keeping a small store
from which he largely paid his help in goods. A good chopper was then con-
tent to work for sixty-two and one-half cents a day, and a man with an ox
team was paid only one dollar a day. Yet cotton sheeting and calico cost
thirty- seven and one-half cents a yard and other goods in proportion — a vivid
contrast with the wages and prices of the present day. The consequences of
the prevaiHng figures of those days were, the people cultivated simpler tastes ;
they wore less sheeting, calico and other gcJods.
Mr. Spaulding, whose reminiscences we have often quoted, worked for Col-
onel Howe on his dam and thus quaintly speaks of the enterprise: "We
22
338 History of Essex County.
sometimes thought the colonel rather steep in his prices, as he only had to go
to Middlebury for his goods, but I suppose it was about as well as he could do
by us ; at any rate it was as well as we could do ; there was no striking in
those days for higher wages or better times, the men were glad to find a chance
to work on almost any terms. It was my fortune at that time to drive an ox
team for six weeks, drawing logs and timber for that dam ; the colonel subse-
quently built several other mills which were supplied by this dam, which were
in operation for several years, to his advantage and the commonwealth of
Crown Point and vicinity."
The nearest road was three miles from them and they were obliged to back
all of their provisions in there. When cold weather came on and the men
could no longer work to advantage, Mr. Hammond returned to Pittsford de-
claring that he was through with Crown Point. Soon afterward he received
an offer of a position as clerk in Colonel Howe's store. This store ^ stood near
the present " Hammond Corners ;" the young man accepted the offer.
Returning to Crown Point on the 4th of December, 1822, Mr. Hammond
entered into co-partnership with Job L. Howe, Eleazer Harwood and Allen
Penfield, under the firm name of C. F. Hammond & Co., for the purpose of
carrying on mercantile business and for cutting and transporting lumber in the
town. This was about the beginning of the active lumber trade in Crown
Point. In October, 1822, Mr. Hammond's father had presented him with a
• farm of seventy acres in Pittsford, but he had only between $300 and $400
in cash when he formed the co-partnership. The combined nominal capital
was $9,000.
But there was that in the firm which was, perhaps, the very best substitute
for money or land, persevering energy. The mill at the Overshot was finished
and a small business begun in cutting lumber. From this grew up a great
mercantile lumber and later an iron business, that for over fifty years has been
the chief industry of the town and inured to its general prosperity to a degree
that can scarcely be comprehended.
In a series of historical sketches written by a member of the Hammond
family, he says of this period : " Before the days of railroads this section was
exceptionally well situated as compared with the rest of northern New York.
In a letter from his (Charles F. Hammond's) friend Judd; who lived at Massena,
St. Lawrence county, dated 1832, we find the following: 'You know our local
situation is such that we labor under many disadvantages. ' And again, a few
years later, 1838: 'I expected to have been at your place during the winter
with a load of grass seed, but the disturbance in Canada 2 prevented my get-
ting the seed.' Indeed, before the building of the Ogdensburg and Lake
iThe old store building now forms a part of the dwelling of Norman Ely, near the Howe mill
pond.
1 The so-called Patriot war.
Town of Crown Point. 339
Champlain railroad the only outlet of that very large portion of the State was
by Lake Champlain.^
" Again, the dependence of another section which hardly ever visits Lake
Champlain now for trade is shown by the following extract from a letter of
Samuel Renne, who was at that time making a clearing in the heart of the
Adirondacks :
"'Long Lake, June 17th, 1843.
" ' I have one hand with me now, a full-blooded Indian, and a good chop-
per, works by the month — expect another just like him. I started for Crown
Point last March with 446 pounds of trout, but a great snow storm came on
so I could not get any further than Newcomb. We have not so much as one
slice of pork, but we have trout and venison and venison and trout. We
should like to swap a little for pork and no mistake. '
" All the back country from Long Lake out came here for trade and bar-
ter. For some time everything seemed to be in favor of the new concern and
their business increased very fast, and finally in their lumber business and buy-
ing of timber land, the company purchased property that afterwards proved
very rich in iron ore. After a few years Mr. Hammond was joined by his
younger brother, John C, and in September, 1828, the latter bought out Col-
onel Howe's interest in the concern. Mr. Harwood died and in 1830 the
other partners bought the interest of his heirs. The firm name then became
Hammonds & Co., and there was no other change in its personnel until the death
of John C. Hammond in January, 1858." The firm and later that of J. & T.
Hammond became one of the most prominent in the county, and did more to
advance the general interests of this town than any other, as will sufficiently
appear further on.
One of the chief obstacles to growth and general advancement in new com-
munities is the lack of transportation to more populous centers. Crown Point
was not exempt from this situation until the construction of the Champlain
Canal (described in preceding chapter on internal improvements), which was
opened from near Cohoes to Whitehall in 1823 ; it was begun in 181 8. This
improvement gave not only this town, but all of this northern region, water
communication from Lake Champlain to the Hudson River and developed
commercial activity on the lake to a wonderful degree. The surplus produce
of the town found a convenient outlet and, what was of still greater impor-
tance, placed a prospective value upon the forests of the Adirondacks and the
immense deposits of iron ore by which it had already become known they were
underlaid. Explorations for desirable sites for the manufacture of lumber, iron,
etc., were stimulated to renewed activity.
1 The Champlain Canal was opened in 1823, as detailed in preceding pages, and immediately stim-
ulated commerce of all kinds in northern New York and especially the lumber trade albng the western
shores of the lake.
340 History of Essex County.
In 1 82 1 a prominent company was formed in this town for the prosecution
of the lumber business in the mountains. It comprised the following named
gentlemen : Deacon Allen Penfield, Deacon Phineas Wilcox, Deacon Ebenezer
Hopkins and John Pressy, who was not a deacon. (He was a poor man in those
days who could not sport at least one title, military, civil or otherwise.) They
purchased a site and a quantity of pine lands on Paradox creek, at a point
since known as the old Dudley mill. This point was then four miles in the
forest depths. About a dozen men were employed, a site for the building was
soon cleared, and in four weeks the hewn timbers were ready to " raise." Those
"raisings" of olden times were events of no little importance and a source of
unbounded enjoyment as well as good, practical work. As was the common
custom a general invitation was sent to the inhabitants of the town and about
forty assembled. The following quaint and graphic account of this raising is
giv^'n in Mr. Spaulding's pamphlet, and will serve as an example of hundreds
of//other similar pioneer occurrences in the county : —
" They were elated with the thoughts of having something like business
going on in their midst, where they could find employment near home ait a
specified time. About forty men turned out to raise that portion of the mill
which was not finished the first day, consequently they must stay over night ;
well, there was enough to eat and drink ; the reader must understand this oc-
curred in days of yore, when bread was considered to be the staff of life, and
whisky, life itself; when good fellows were plenty, but good templars rather
scarce. The proprietors had furnished two or three large gallon jugs of whisky
for the raising; it was understood that one was to be spared for the second
day, the other was finished at a late hour the first night. The evening passed
away pleasantly, each in turn telling stories, and singing such songs as were
suitable on such an occasion, all then turned in for rest. The next morning
found all on our feet, ready for a little whisky, but to our astonishment the jug
was gone, whisky and all ; some one had stolen and carried it away ; here
was a great dilemma and long faces by the dozen, everything as silent as the
tomb, except the birds in the trees, which seemed to raise their notes higher
than ever, and rejoice at our calamity ; I suppose it was because they had no
use for whisky. Still no one knew anything about the lost jug, but from some
unmistakable signs suspicion rested on one . of our number by the name of
Parker, an old soldier ; who was told very promptly to produce the jug or take
the beach wythe ; so he provided himself with a forked stick or mineral rod
used in searching for minerals, and after lining and cross lining for some time
the spot was centered and the jug found ; here we were, every man, deacons
and all, following the old soldier around searching in every nook for the lost
treasure. There was another change, the whole company vociferously shout-
ing, which was answered by the owls, every face as bright as the rising sun."
Samuel Buck and Abel Bailey came into the town early and began exten-
Town of Crown Point. 341
sive lumbering operations. Mr. Bailey was son-in-law of Mr. Buck and the
firm became Buck & Bailey. They bought large tracts of pine lands, built mills,
and for about ten years manufactured and shipped large quantities. Hiram
and Helon Buck became the owners of the property and subsequently sold out
to engage in other business. Mr. Helon Buck still lives in the town.
Other, individuals and firms who early engaged in lumbering in this town
were Allen Breed, Ephraim Towner, M. & S. Spaulding, Wright & Pond, Wm.
& H. Phelps, Jonathan Breed, and Messrs. Rhoades, Stratton and Brown, Pen-
field & Taft.
The Iron Interest. — Charles F. Hammond was the leading spirit in discov-
ering and developing the iron interest of this town. He foresaw, apparently
from the outset, its importance and the possibilities of turning it to profitable
account. The writer of the sketches already alluded to says in quoting Mr.
Hammond's own words : " I had analyses made of the ore and had it worked
in a forge and the iron rolled into round and band iron, and also into nails and
tested by the Peru Iron Company at Clintonville. Some of the bar iron I had
made at Penfield's and some at Vergennes, Vt., where there were forges at
the time. The foreman and his workmen at Clintonville said when rolling it
that they never saw iron that would roll into thin 4^ plate for ^ nails without
cracks or fractures on the edge, before this ; that their Peru iron was called
the best, but it would not stand the test for strength and toughness by the side
of mine. I then got out about twenty tons of the ore at great expense and
trouble for the want of a road, being obliged to use oxen on a wood-shod sled
to haul it to the Wooster place on bare ground, and from there I drew it to the
wharf on a wagon. I shipped it to Greenbush and took it from there by rail
to Stockbridge, Mass. It was there worked in a small charcoal furnace, yield-
ing a very fine quality of pig iron. During all of the time John C. stood aloof
and would not say anything in favor of what I was doing and not much against
it, and finally came into the arrangement to build a furnace in 1845, after I
had found and engaged a man to join us that had experience in building and
running furnaces."
Such is Mr. Hammond's own account of his persevering determination to
learn all there was to learn of the Crown Point iron ore and the first steps to-
wards its manufacture. The man who joined the Messrs. Harrimond to build
the furnace, was Jonas Tower. His experience was ample for the undertak-
ing. In the fall of 1844 C. F. Hammond, Mr. Tower and Allen Penfield
went to locate the site for the furnace, and a tree was felled across the site of
what is now known as the site of the " old furnace," and thus the clearing was
begun. 1
1 Mr. Spaulding says: "The old iron company's ore bed was first discovered by Timothy P.
Hunter in 1821, while hunting for bees ; he brought some small specimens from the bed in his pocket,
which he exhibited to his friends who kept it secret for about two years, at length it leaked out, and the
location was generally known ; it never benefited Mr. Hunter, he lived and died a poor man. Miles
342 History of Essex. County.
The first " Crown Point Iron Company " was organized and embraced C.
F. Hammond, John C. Hammond, Allen Penfield and Jonas Tower. Prepar-
ations for building the furnace were made in 1845 3-"^ it was finished and the
first iron turned out by January ist, 1846. The iron produced immediately
took the highest rank. It was made exclusively from the " Hammond ore,"
and the first steel made in this country under the Bessemer patents was made
from this iron. 2 In the fall of 18'^ 2 Mr. Tower sold his interest in the company
to Wm. H. Dyke and E. S. Bogue. He^subsequently went to Ironton, Wis.,
where he died. The company continued; in existence until the organization of
the second one of the same name which will be noticed further on.
What were known as the Irondale (Ironville) Iron Works had their begin-
ning at what is now known als Ironville about 1828, where Penfield & Har-
wood (Allen Penfield and Mr. Harwood, father of A. P. H.) built a forge.
The ore was taken from what is, or was known as the Penfield Bed.^ This en-
tire property finally passed to J. & T. Hammond and is now owned by the
Crown Point Iron Company. The iron made by Penfield & Harwood had
an excellent reputation. Mr. Spaulding is authority for the statement that,
owing to the excellent quality of this iron, the government in 1829 gave the
company an order for a large quantity for use in making cables for the navy.
Samuel Renne discovered in 18 18 what was later known as the Saxe bed
in the central part of the town. He opened it about 1822 and it was afterwards
worked by Jacob Saxe. The ore was mixed with other ore and worked to
good advantage ; but it was abandoned a number of years ago. John Renne
had a small forge, the first in the town, near Crown Point Center in 1823.
The ore worked by him came principally from the Cheever bed, in Moriah,
with a little from the bed opened by Samuel Renne, until the discovery of the
Penfield bed, after which he used that ore. All of these beds and the entire
iron industry of the town is now controlled by the Crown Point Iron Company.
We have spoken of the " old furnace," referring thereby to the first one
built by the original company. This was burned down in 1863, but was im-
mediately rebuilt and operated successfully until 1870.
The brick store at Crown Point (Hammond's Corners) was built by the
Messrs. Hammond in 1827, and in 1833 the brick portion of the Crown Point
Spaulding and Otis Bradford were the first men that opened said bed, and took therefrom some eight
or ten hundred pounds of ore, which they carried in bags on their baclcs through the wilderness over
one mile to a road where a team could be had, which hauled it to Ticonderoga where it was tested and
pronounced genuine ; but through the treachery of some of their confidentials, their chance of fortune
was lost and also their labor.''
2 This steel was used in building Captain Ericsson's first monitor which encountered the rebel iron
clad Merrimac, in 1862.
3 This bed "was discovered in 1826, by a boy named R. L. Cram, while hunting, by his taking
hold of a small bush to help him up the mountain ; the bush was detached from the rock and there lay
the shining ore. He carried specimens to his father, who owned the land. He opened the bed and
subsequently sold it to Penfield &Taft." — Spaulding's Pamphlet.
Ge.\. John Hammond.
Town of Crown Point. 343
House was erected by them for use as a boarding-house for their numerous
employees. On the corner where Chas. F. Hammond lived stood, in very
early days, a tavern which was kept about 1 8 16 by a Widow Willcox. It stood
out near to the street. This corner was subsequently bought by Mr. Ham-
mond, the building moved away to later become the dwelling of C. L. Ham-
mond, and the brick mansion erected.
Chas. F. Hammond died December I2th, 1873, the immediate cause being
the shock of the death of his son Thomas, wife and children on the ill-fated
steam_er Ville dii Havre, which went to the bottom of the Atlantic November
22d, 1873. His widow died August 28th, 1882. Of their ten children but
three are living, General John Hammond and two daughters-.
General John Hammond was born in 1827. When the Rebellion broke
out he raised Company H, Fifth Cavalry and in the service soon rose to the
command of the brigade. He was largely instrumental in the formation of
the Crown Point Iron Company, and in advancing the railroad facilities of the
town. He was president of the Iron Company from its formation until a re-
cent date. He was elected to the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses and
declined a re-election. He now enjoys the unqualified respect and confidence
of the people of his entire county. His ancestry were distinguished in con-
nection with the early military history of the country. His grandfather was
Thomas Hammond, who was an attendant upon an officer in the Revolutionary
army and was present at the execution of Major Andre. His great grandfather
was Daniel Hammond, who participated in the old French and English War,
and was for a time stationed at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.
The Crown Point Iron Compajiy. — The second organization under this
name was effected in October, 1872, under " an act to authorize the formation
of corporations for manufacturing, mining, mechanical or chemical purposes.''
The capital stock was $500,000 in 5,000 shares. The first board of trustees
was as follows : —
Thomas Dickson, Scranton, Pa. ; George Talbot Olyphant, of the city of
New York ; John Hammond, of Crown Point, N. Y. ; Thomas Hammond, of
Crown Point, N. Y. ; and Smith M. Weed, of Plattsburg, N. Y.
The 5,000 shares of stock were distributed as follows: —
John Hammond, 1,250; Thomas Hammond, 1,250; George T. Olyphant,
1,200; Thomas Dickson, 1,200; S. M. Weed, 100.
In November, 1872, the stock of the company was increased to $1,200,000
and in September, 1873, to $1,500,000. The present officers of the company
are as follows : L. G. B. Cannon, president ; H. M. Olmstead, secretary and
treasurer ; A. L. Inman, general manager ; H. L. Reed, assistant general man-
ager. Following are the names of the superintendents of the various depart-
ments of the company's works : Furnaces, W. S. Green ; mines, Thomas Mon-
tague ; railroad, James McMann ; forge, James W. Stower ; machine shop, C.
W. Sanders ; mines store, Theo. H. Locke ; lake store, F. H. Pierce.
344 History of Essex County.
The company's forge of eight fires is located at Ironville (formerly Irondale)
on the line of their narrow gauge railroad and midway between the blast fur-
nace (which is on the lake shore) and the mines at Hammondville. The prod-
uct of the blast furnaces is known as Bessemer pig iron, and is used to a great
extent in Troy, N. Y., and Scranton, Pa. At the forge the product comprises
blooms and billets. The iron turned out by the company is not excelled for
the manufacture of Bessemer steel in this country. The capacity of the two
furnaces may be roughly set down at one hundred and fifteen tons per day of pig
iron. The capacity of the mines at present is 75,000 tons annually. The works
and the mines are not now running to their full capacity on account of the
general depressed condition of the iron industry. The old Penfield bed is about
exhausted, but prospecting and exploration has been constantly continued in
the vicinity and new deposits discovered, which may be said to be practically
inexhaustible.
In addition to its many other benefits to the town it has built a church and
school-room at Hammondville at a cost of about $3,000, which was donated to
the employees about the mines.
The railroad forming a connection with the main line along the lake and
running to Hammondville was begun in the fall of 1872. It forms a part of
the property of the Iron Company.
The point of land from which the name of the town is derived, exclusive of
the ruins of the fort as before explained, is also owned by this company, who
purchased it chiefly for the valuable stone which are quarried there.
As the lumber interest became less profitable in the town and particularly
as the land already cleared became more productive and easier of cultivation,
the inhabitants turned their attention more and more to agriculture. A decided
change in this respect is noticeable from about the year 1830 and a little later.
The farmers found occupation winters in hauling lumber or ore which added
in a substantial manner to their incomes. Thus, as Mr. Spaulding puts it,
" Vermont lost her Algerines." The town at the present time is, in an agri-
cultural sense, one of the foremost of the county, and her dairy products, which
are considerable, stand well in the markets.
As the lands were cleared and the inhabitants became more prosperous, the
rude log houses gave way to the neat frame cottages and many of these in
turn to more pretentious and valuable houses.
The people of the town needed railroad communication, and it is a pecul-
iarity of American communities that when two or more of them desire rail-
road connection with each other, or with more distant points, the men and
means are forthcoming for their construction.
The Whitehall and Plattsburg railroad was surveyed in 1861 and work was
begun on it in this town on the 20th of February, 1869. In addition to aid re-
ceived from the State and the bonds of other towns, Crown Point bonded her-
Town of Crown Point. 345
self for $50,000. This action was opposed by many good citizens who felt that
the town was still sufficiently burdened with the then recent war expenses ; but
a majority favored the enterprise and it was carried through. The section from
Ticonderoga to Port Henry was completed within two years from its commence-
ment. In 1 87 1 it appeared impossible to extend the road farther without other
aid and it was, therefore, leased to the Vermont Central Company. The lake
was bridged at Ticonderoga and a line built from there (Addison Junction) to
the Vermont Central's main line. The New York and Canada railroad was
surveyed in 1871, but as its line was to run almost parallel with the Whitehall
and Plattsburg road from Ticonderoga to Port Henry, the former company
bought the lease and a consolidation was effected by an act of the Legislature
in 1873.
The following named citizens of this town contributed the sums stated to-
wards the building of the first railroad: Chas. F. Hammond & Sons, $12,500;
E. S. Bogue, $3,000 ; Penfield & Harwood, $2,000 ; C. P. Fobes & Co., $1,000;
J. C. Breevoort, $500 ; Crown Point Iron Company, $1,000.
As the reader of this work has already learned in the pages devoted to the
military history of the county, the town of Crown Point was not deaf to the
call of the country in her time of trial. The leading men of the town gave up
their time, their money and their personal service in the field with a degree of
patriotism and generous liberality not excelled in any locality in the surround-
ing country ; and the town officials in various public meetings seconded the ac-
tion of the Board of Supervisors in the payment of bounties sufficiently large
to induce prompt enlistments to fill the quotas under the various calls of the
president for volunteers. The widows and children of those who fell on the
battle-field were not forgotten, the town records show that those who remained
at home were ready to share the burdens of the great struggle. Of the 650
voters then in the town, 290 enlisted and sixty-seven laid down their lives for
their country. The reader is referred to the military chapter in preceding
pages for details of the subject.
The early records of this town have been destroyed, depriving us of a val-
uable source of historical matter and the records of early town meetings and
officers. We are, however, enabled to give the list of supervisors from 18 18 as
follows: 1818 to 1821 inclusive, Samuel Murdock; 1822, Samuel Renne ;
1823 to 1825 inclusive, Samuel Murdock; 1826, Chas. F. Hammond; 1827,
Amasa B. Gibson; 1828, C. F. Hammond; 1829, Amasa B. Gibson; 1830,
C F. Hammond; 1831, Chilion A. Trimble; 1832, C. F. Hammond; 1833-
34, Chilion A. Trimble; 1835, John C. Hammond; 1836-37, George Brown;
1838, Chilion A. Trimble; 1839, Juba Howe; 1840, Henry Haile ; 1841,
Juba Howe ; 1842-43, George Trimble; 1844-45, John C. Hammond ; 1846,
John B. Goodrich ; 1847-48, John B. Brooks ; 1849-50, Wm. H. Dyke ; 1851-
52, Samuel Russell ; 1853 to 1856 inclusive, John C. Hammond ; 1857-58,
346 History of Essex County.
Levi Rhoades ; 1859, James F. Moore; 1860101873 inclusive, Julius C. Bre-
voort; 1874-75, Theo. Hunter; 1876 to 1878 inclusive, Elmer J. Barker;
1879-80-81, C. L. Hammond; 1882 to the present time, Julius C. Brevoort.
The present officers of the town are as follows : —
Town clerk — Garrison W. Foote.
Justices of the peace — Clark M. Pease, E. R. Eaton.
Assessor — Norman Bly.
Collector — Clark W. Little.
Commissioners of highways — E. Brooks.
Overseer of the poor — Samuel Buck.'
Auditors — John C. Burdick, Zephaniah K. Townsend.
Inspectors of election, Dist. No. I — L. B. Carter, Oliver C. Pond.
Inspectors of election, Dist. No. 2 — Wm. C. Northey, Frank T. Locke.
Constables — C. W. Little, Charles Garvey, Viceroy Moore, 2d, Edward
Bradford, Thomas Hocking.
Game constable — Hiram Cheney.
Pound master — Albert Peasely.
Sealer of weights and measures — George C. Robbins.
Commissioner of excise — Hiram Newell.
Lawyers — Crown Point does not appear to have been a fruitful locality
for the legal fraternity. The inhabitants have as a rule been peaceful and little
given to the differences and disputes that have to be settled at the bar of jus-
tice ; and the attorneys have generally turned their faces towards the county
seat, or other more enticing fields. " 'Squire " Chauncey Fenton practiced law
here for many years and was justice of the peace. He has left behind the
record of an honorable man. His son, bearing his father's name, is a justice
of the peace and attorney in the village of Ticonderoga. Amos Bigelow and
Harvey Tuttle were former lawyers at Crown Point Center and taught school
at an early day. Libeus Haskill is also remembered as an attorney of much
native ability. Judge, A. C. Hand, who passed the later portion of his life at
Elizabethtown, began his professional career at the Center.
W. F. Hickey is at present the only practicing attorney of the place. He
studied with B. B. Bishop, of Moriah, and was admitted to the bar in May
1879. He followed his profession for about two years in Minerville and then
removed to this place.
Physicians. — Rodolphus Field, one of the early settlers at Crown Point
Centre, was probably the first permanently located physician in the town.
Dr. Cornwell located very early about one-half mile from the Centre
on the old east and west road. Both of these physicians removed from the
town. Dr. John R. Goodrich practiced here a few years and removed to
Michigan, and Dr. Henry Hall removed, after some years' practice, to Califor-
nia. They were succeeded by Dr. H. K. White, who lived at the Center and
Town of Crown Point. 347
died there. Dr. Jacob Thrasher mingled the practice of medicine with " petti-
fogging " for a number of years.
Dr. George Paige, of Crown Point Center, is a graduate of Middlebury
Medical College, Vermont, 1840. He attended lectures at Hanover, N. H.,
and Woodstock, Vt. In 1842 he graduate(? from the Medical department of
Yale College. His practice began and continued seven years at Pittsford, Vt.
He then removed to Kentucky, coming to Crown Point in 1853, where he now
enjoys the confidence of the community and has a large practice.
Dr. Joseph Warner studied for his profession at Castleton, Vt., with Dr.
M. Goldsmith. He graduated from the Medical College at that place in 1853,
and practiced four years thereafter in Louisiana. He then removed to Brid-
port, Vt., where he followed his profession twenty-two years, coming to Crown
Point in 1881. His success here has been gratifying.
Dr. E. R. Eaton attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Phila-
delphia, in the winter of 1878-79, and at the New York Homeopathic College
in the winters of 1880-81 and 1881-82, graduating in March of the latter year.
He located in Burlington, Vt, in the summer of 1882 and came to Crown
Point in January, 1883.
Dr. Melville Turner is located at Hammondville. His professional studies
began at Crown Point and he graduated from the Albany Medical College in
1873 and began practice at Crown Point in January, 1874. In 1877 he re-
moved to Lewis, returning in March, 1879, and has been at Hammondville
since that time.
Dr. Enoch Kent came from Vermont to Ironville a number of years ago.
He refuses statistics of his career for this work.
Present business, etc., of Crown Point. — At the "Corners," as it is termed,
the principal store is kept by Elmer J. Barker, in the old brick Hammond store,
where J. and T. Hammond did business for many years. Mr. Barker, in com-
pany with J. W. Wyman, bought out the Messrs. Hammonds in 1870, and in
1 88 1 Mr. Barker purchased the interest of his partner.
Lewis & Elkins keep a general store, succeeding Mr. Lewis in the spring
of 1884.
H. F. Davis has a clothing, hat and cap and furnishing goods store, which
he opened in 1882, where Lewis & Elkins now are. He removed to his own
building in 1884.
F. E. Huestis began the hardware rade in his present store, which he
owns, in 1875. His stock is general hardware and furniture, the only estab-
lishment of the kind in the town.
Fred. H. Ingalls began the drug business in July, 1878. He was preceded
by Dr. E. L. Strong, now of Keeseville. The latter was associated for a time
with a Mr. Nichols.
E. M. Johnson conducts a photograph gallery which he has had for about
ten years.
348 History of Essex County.
S. P. Mclntyre carries on wagon-making, undertaking, etc.
Taylor Brothers carry on shoe-making and selling.
In 1 8 1 8 a Widow Wilcox kept a tavern which stood between the street line
and what is now the Hammond chapel and near to the street. This building
was subsequently purchased by Mr. Hammond, removed across the street and
rebuilt into the residence formerly occupied by Thomas Hammond. After the
erection of the Crown Point House it was kept for a time by a Mr. Benedict,
who removed from the town. The present proprietor, A. S. Viall, has kept
the house to the eminent satisfaction of the public since i866.
The Spaulding House was opened in 1884 by McNutt & Kelly. It was
originally built by Isaac Spaulding.
A. J. Wyman began a banking business in April, 1881. His establish-
ment is a great convenience to the inhabitants of the town.
Post-0 ffices. — The post-office was established at Crown Point early in the
century, but the year we have been unable to learn, as well as the name of the
first postmaster. Charles F. Hammond had the office before 1833 and officia-
ted for many years. He was succeeded by George Brown and he by Chauncey
Fenton, who was in the position about four years. George Brown then filled
the office again until 1861, since which date the present postmaster, W. D.
Capron, has occupied the position and grown gray in the service.
Post-offices have been established since the organization of the iron com-
pany at Hammondville, where T. H. Locke officiates and keeps the store ;
and at Ironville where James N. Stower has the office and is general manager
for the company.
At Crown Point Center the office was established early in the century.
Henry Wyman is postmaster and Miss Ingalls deputy.
Press. — There was no newspaper in the town until the year 1878, when, on
the 1st of January, R. W. Billett issued the first regular number of the Crown
Point Budget. Probably no public journal ever made its first appearance un-
der more unpromising circumstances, if we except the fact that the iron and
other interests of the town were then in a very thriving condition. The first
issue of the Budget was an eight-page sheet, but had only two short columns
to the page. Mr. Billett was not even a practical printer ; but he had natu-
ral aptitude for both the practical and the literary part of his work, which,
coupled with industry and perseverance, enabled him to surmount many fo,r-
midable obstacles. His paper was a success and he received the support of the
community. In the following March he enlarged the paper, making it three
columns to the page and four pages. In October, 1879, he again felt justified
in making a further enlargement and two columns were added to each page.
September 15th, 1880, the name of the paper was changed to the Essex County
Times ai^d Budget, the latter title being dropped in March, 1882. When the
name was first changed another column was added to each page, and on the
Town of Crown Point. 349
date last mentioned, still another was added, making the Times a handsome
seven-column sheet. The proprietor has increased his printing material as his
business grew, and now runs two power presses with other excellent facilities.
The Times is Republican in politics and has a large circulation and advertising
patronage.
The Hammond Chapel. — This institution is the former residence of Charles
F. Hammond. It was built by him about the year 1837, ^^^ fo^" those days
and much later was a conspicuously fine dweUing. Since the death of Mrs.
Hammond (1882), General John Hammond and his two surviving sisters pre-
sented the property to the First Congregational Society as a memorial of their
mother. The gift was made in July, 1883. The upper portion of the house
has been fitted up as a hall and library rooms, in which is established the
chapel library, which is an outgrowth of a small circulatiftg library that was in
existence here. Mr. Hammond and others have circulated many valuable
books and the institution promises to be of great benefit to the town.
Forest Dale Cemetery. — The village of Crown Point is provided with a
beautiful cemetery, for the benefit of which the inhabitants are indebted to
General John Hammond. It is situated on a picturesque eminence just off
from the main street and is laid out into two hundred lots, among which are
winding avenues and paths. Many of the lots have already been taken and
are beautified with handsome memorials of the dead.
The Soldiers' Monument. — This beautiful memorial of the dead soldiers of
this town is also a monument to the patriotism and liberality of Charles F.
Hammond. When the war broke out no man came forward more promptly to
aid the government in its peril, than he. All of the original horses for com-
pany H of the Fifth New York Cavalry were purchased with funds advanced
by him and he in various other ways testified how deep was his sympathy with
his country in her trial. When the struggle was over he was prompted by the
same feelings to erect the beautiful monument to those who had fallen on the
battle field. It is of Westerley granite, thirty-four feet in height, and sur-
mounted by a statue of a soldier in uniform with his gun at rest. On three
of its sides are inscribed the names of the dead heroes and on the fourth the
following inscription : —
" TO THE
Memory of the Brave Volunteers of Crown Point,
WHO Gave their Lives as a
Sacrifice for their Country and Humanity in the Suppression of the Great Rebellion
OF 1861— 1866.
This Monument is Erected by their Grateful Fellow Citizen,
C. F. HAMMOND."
Trotting Park. — On the 8th of May, 18 — , the "Put's Point Trotting
Park Association " was incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000.
CHURCHES.
Baptist Church, Crown Point. — The first meetings of the Baptists of this
3SO History of Essex County.
town were held in " Slab Hollow " school-house. As a result of this early-
work seven or eight were baptized and united with the Ticonderoga society.
The organization of the society here, about 1827, was effected under the mis-
sionary labors of Rev. E. Andrews. The society comprised fifteen members.
The first preacher was Ebenezer Mott, who at that time suffered considerable
persecution because of his Baptist proclivities. He staid here but one year.
In the year 183 1 meetings were held in the Union church. By the year 1836
thirty-one new members were added to the church. Down to the year 1863
the number of members received into the society was 266. In 1867, for vari-
ous causes, the membership had fallen to thirty-two and the church closed its
active work. During its career C. A. Hewitt, David Foot and Ira D. Burwell
were licensed by it to preach. It was chiefly through the persistent efforts and
liberality of John Burwell that the church was long kept in the Essex and
Champlain Baptist Association ; he went about and offered to give dollar for
dollar on all that might be subscribed for the sustenance of the society. Dea-
con Wood and Mr. Burwell bought the rights of the Congregationalists in the
" old white meeting-house," until the Baptists owned nearly all. Six pastors
were called to the ■ church : Ebenezer Mott, L. Smith, J. Goodrich, Charles
Berry, I. D. Burwell, Ira P. Kellogg. The report for forty-three years notes
fifty-seven baptisms and forty-three added.
The present brick edifice was built largely through the instrumentality of
the late Colonel Job L. Howe and the Messrs. Hammonds. It is sufficiently
commodious and pleasantly situated, fronting the village park.
First Congregational Church, Crown Point. — This church was organized
on the 1 0th of September, 1804, by Benjamin Wooster, of Vermont, mission-
ary. The original number of members was sixteen. Others soon joined, and
the number gradually though slowly increased from year to year. For many
years the stated ministrations of the gospel were not enjoyed except for lim-
ited periods of six months or a year, more or less. The church, however,
regularly maintained public worship on the Sabbath, looked well to the disci-
pline of its members, and attended with much regularity to the ordinances.
The first settled pastor was Rev. Samuel C. Bradford, who was ordained June
26th, 1822. His labors were commenced the year previous. He was regu-
larly dismissed the 14th of June, 1826. On the 8th of October following
Stephen L. Herrick was settled as pastor and continued in that position until
1852. Rev. Ira D. Burwell, "a Baptist minister," supplied the pulpit for six
months. Rev. John Bradshaw was settled as pastor, 1853, and left in 1866.
Willard Child, D.D., acted as supply from September, 1866, until September,
1873. W. H. Utley supplied the pulpit from September, 1873, for one year
and a half; Rev. F. P. Tomkins from 1875 for one year and eleven months.
Rev. I. L. Beman was settled as pastor in 1877 ^"d continued until 1881.
Rev. J. W. Cowan succeeded until 1883, in April of which year Rev. James
Town of Crown Point. 351
Deane assumed the pastorate and still continues his labor. The church has
a prosperous Sabbath-school.
Following are the names of the first sixteen members of this church :
Joshua Moss, Samuel Moss, Israel Branch, Dennis Meagher, Martha Wiswell,
Robert Hopkins, Phebe Hopkins, Ichabod Brooks, Sarah Brooks, Aaron
Townsend, Phebe Townsend, Moriah Wilcox, Mary Wilcox, Elenor Morrow,
Martha Moss, Abigail Moss, Eli Moffit.
The brick church, now occupied by the Congregationalists of Crown Point,
was erected in 1833 and dedicated February 13th, 1834. It is a substantial,
commodious and good-looking edifice, in excellent condition. The value of
the church property, including parsonage and the Hammond chapel, is $12,000.
A prosperous Sabbath-school is connected with the church. Revivals of wide-
spread beneficent influence were experienced by this society in 1832, 1836,
1841, 1855 and 1878.
Present Trustees — General John Hammond, Z. K. Townsend, E. J.
Barker.
Deacons — S. F. Murdock, George Page, W. G. Foote, Z. K. Townsend.
In 1843 the church was built at Ironville and dedicated October nth of
that year. Sarell Wood was the first preacher.
Second Congregational Church of Crown Point.^ — As Sarly as 1827 Rev.
S. L. Herrick, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Crown Point,
began holding religious services at the place now known as Ironville, in a large
hall in the house of Deacon Allen Penfield. These services were more or less
regularly maintained till the spring of 1843, when it was decided to organize a
second Congregational society and erect a house of worship. The first meet-
ing of the society was held April isth, 1843. The trustees chosen were Allen
Penfield, John Taylor and Jonathan Train ; and these with Timothy Taft and
J. E. Moore were the building committee. The by-laws and act of incorporation
were drawn up by Messrs. Penfield, Taft and Harwood. A. P. Harwood was
the first clerk, and he continued in this office most of the time for nearly' a
quarter of a century, his last date in the records being April loth, 1865.
Others who have filled the office are James F. Moore, J. A. Penfield, Hervej;-
Spencer, E. J. Morgan, D. V. N. Harwood, H. F. Turner, Thomas J. McMur-
try, A. D. Cady, William Brando and Charles Mclntyre.
The trustees, in addition to those already named, have been Timothy Taft,
Asa Grain, James F. Moore, A. M. Bunnell, Hervey Spencer, Albert Taft,
Thomas B. Locke, J. A. Penfield, E. J. Morgan, H. F. Turner, Levi R. Dud-
ley, T. J. McMurtry, and J. N. Stower. Philetus Sawyer, now United States
Senator from Wisconsin, was one of the original members and for two years
collector of the society.
The house of worship was erected during the summer of 1843 ^"^ ded-
1 Prepared by Rev. W. C. Sexton, pastor of the church, 1885.
352 History of Essex County.
icated in October of that year. It cost, exclusive of the basement, $i,6oo, for
which Deacon Allen Penfield became responsible. He also built the basement,
designed for school purposes, as an additional private investment. The edifice
was deeded to the society by him, on condition that preaching be maintained
in it. In case the society fails to do this for two years, the property reverts to
his heirs. The entire property is now valued at $2,500. After the edifice was
dedicated Rev. S. L. Herrick occupied the pulpit once in four weeks until the
spring of 1844, when Sarell Wood, a licentiate, was engaged as a supply for
one year.
At a special meeting of the society, January 13th, 1846, a movement was
inaugurated for the organization of a church. An ecclesiastical council was
called, and on the nth day of February, 1846, the "Second Congregational
Church of Crown Point" was duly formed, with the following named persons as
members : Allen Penfield, Timothy Taft, James F. More, Huldah M. Law-
rence, Eunice Fuller, Sophronia More, Phebe Chapin, Louisa F. More, Ann
H. Harwood, Caroline K. Penfield, Sarah M. Crain, Emily Mclntyre, Anna
Penfield, Lucy Crain, Rebecca Durand, Elizabeth Bascomb, Sophronia Moore,
Sybil Honsiger, M. Rhoades, Hepzibah Stiles, Patty PhiUips, Parmelia More,
Harriet Ward, HepziSah Taft, Hepzibah Rollins, Margaret Barrows, Lovina
Wright, Sally Wright, Lucy Worcester, Asa Crain, Polly Durkee, Lovisa Hitt,
Charles F. Hammond, 2d, Frederick Bostwick, Allen P. Harwood.
The articles of faith and covenant of the First Congregational Church of
Crown Point were adopted as the basis. The first pastor was the Rev. Chaun-
cey Coe Stevens, who was installed on the date of the organization and con-
tinued in the pastoral office until February, 1873, when he retired from service
on account of the infirmities of age. Rev. D. W. Cameron began labor No-
vember i6th, 1873, and continued until May 1st, 1874. Rev. John T. Marsh
began November ist, 1874, , and closed his labors February, 1877. The pas-
torate of Rev. A. T. Clarke began October, 1877; installation August, 1878 ;
pastoral relations dissolved September 22d, 1884. Rev. W. C. Sexton, the
present pastor, began labor January 4th, 1885.
The first deacons were Allen Penfield and James F. More. The others
have been Timothy Taft, Levi R. Dudley, Thomas J. McMurtry and John W.
Towner ; the latter three are still in the office.
The first Sunday-school was organized in 1830, and prior to the erection
of •the church edifice was held either in the school-house or in Deacon Pen-
' field's hall. John Taylor was the first superintendent. The others have been
A. P. Harwood, Hervey Spencer, E. J. Morgan, A. J. McMurtry, T. J. Mc-
Murtry, J. W. Towner, and Levi R. Dudley, the present incumbent.
The most important revival in the history of the church occurred in 1877,
under the labors of J. D. Foote, an evangelist. Thirty-four persons, chiefly
the fruits of this revival, were received to membership December 2d, 1877, by
Town of Crown Point. 353
Rev. A. T. Clarke. The next largest accession was that of ten persons, Jan-
uary 2d, 1 88 1. The present membership is fifty-five.
The benevolent contributions have been unusually large for a rural church
of its size. Not far from $8,000 have been distributed in gifts to the various
benevolent causes, making an average of about $210 per annum, not including
one personal gift 'of $1,000. Besides, the church has very generously re-
sponded once or twice for the relief of western sufferers.
Church of Christ, Hammondville. — In 1875 and 1876 Rev. J. T. Marsh,
acting pastor of the Congregational Church at Ironville, preached occasionally
to the Protestant population of Hammondville. In October, 1877, Rev. A.
T. Clarke was called to the pastorate of the Congregational Church at Iron-
ville and preached in a school-house in Hammondville once in two weeks for
nearly a year. In the summer of 1878 the Crown Point Iron Company erected
an elegant house of worship with commodious rooms for a school beneath it.
This house was dedicated on Sunday, September 29th, 1878, at which time
the following statement by the Iron Company, prepared by A. L. Inman, gen-
eral manager, was read : —
"The company, having a due regard for the welfare of its employees, at
its annual meeting in May last, determined on the erection of a building at its
mines, for the purpose of a church and school building, the necessities of
which have long been apparent, and to that end have expended in the con-
struction and furnishing of the house we now occupy a little less than $3,000.
The lower room has a seating capacity for 135 scholars, and is to be used as a
school-room. The upper room, with seating capacity for 225 persons, to be
used as a union house of worship for the religious services of all denomina-
tions. And the company does now give it to its employees to be used for
such purposes only, with the hope and belief that it will prove a source of
profit to both old and young."
After the dedication of the house of worship religious services were held
every Sabbath afternoon by the pastor at Ironville, and a church organization
was soon talked of, to be consummated on a libeial evangelical basis. A con-
stitution was drawn up by Rev. A. T. Clarke, and printed, bearing date 1878,
but for various reasons no public action was taken upon it until Saturday
evening, March 29th, 1879, when it was adopted, and officers were elected as
follows : Deacons, William Northey, and William S. Yole ; clerk, William S.
Rowan ; treasurer, Josephy Stone ; trustees, the foregoing, with A. McDon-
ald, esq., superintendent of Iron Company.
The first communion season was observed on Sunday afternoon, April 13th,
1879, when ten persons assented to the confession of faith and covenant, thus
completing the organization. These ten persons were William Northey, Wil-
liam S. Yole, William S. Rowan, John Kest, Martha Bennett, Etta J. Park-
hurst, Mary Scafe, Cordelia Stone, EHzabeth E. Stone, Josephine U. Stone.
23
354 History of Essex County.
Rev. A. T. Clarke continued the first acting pastor of the church until Sep-
tember 22d, 1884. The present acting pastor, Rev. W. C. Sexton, began labor
January 4th, 1885.
The first Sunday-school was organized in June, 1875, and held in a school-
house until the church edifice was dedicated. William Northey was the first
superintendent. The others who have held the office are Mrs. Alexander
Kee, James Cruikshank, William Trenery and Rev. W. C. Sexton, the present
incumbent. Owing to removals and other causes the church membership has
remained small. Nine members were received May 4th, 1884, as the result of
revival services conducted by Rev. A. T. Clarke, and the largest accession at
any one time since the date of organization.
The membership at present is twelve. Alfred Knowlton is deacon, and the
present trustees are Theodore Locke, Alexander Kee and Thomas Montague,
superintendent of Iron Company.
A large church edifice was erected -and dedicated January 20th, 1830, on
the site of the present " white meeting-house," in the central part of the town,
and was occupied as a union church by the different sects then desiring to
hold services there, embracing Congregationalists,' Baptists, Methodists and
Universalists. It gave way in the year 1882 to the present edifice, which is
now occupied by the Wesleyan Methodists, who are ministered to by the Rev.
W. A. Hathaway.
Lutherans. — The Swedish Lutherans of Hammondville have formed the
organization of a church society recently and have occasional services by a
non-resident pastor.
Roman Catholic. — There has been a Roman CathoHc Church organization
here more than twenty years, but the present church was erected in 1876.
■Rev. Father Mullin was the last priest who officiated in the church. He left
the church in 1884 and services are not now held. Rev. Father Butler, from
Ticonderoga was the first pastor, and comes to the church for occasional
services.
Schools. — We have heretofore alluded to the first school taught in
this town, in 1804 or 1805, by the wife of Elisha Rhoades, in the building
which was a combined store, dwelling and school-house. But it was a begin-
ning, and others soon followed in different parts of the town. It has never
been a characteristic of American pioneers to let their children fold their hands
and grow up in ignorance. Better that they should tramp miles through for-
ests, over rough roads, or no roads at all, in the most inclement weather (they
were needed at home in the planting and the harvest), and sit the day through
upon the hardest of seats, with no support for their backs, and pore over a
very limited selection of school books ; and the foundation for many an excel-
lent education and for many a strong and enlightened character has been laid
under just such circumstances as these.
Town of Crown Point. 355
John Catlin came across the lake from Vermont and taught school here
before 1818, and Harvey Tuttle taught from 1818 to 1820. Foster Breed,
who came to town with his father in 181 5, attended the school. The next
teacher he remembers was a lady, who subsequently became his wife (now de-
ceased), Miss Sarah Washburn. She was from Middlebury, and taught in a
building that stood where Elmer J. Barker's house is. As settlers located in
different parts of the town, districts were divided and schools rapidly multi-
plied.
The present Union Free School was established at Crown Point in 1878.
It embraces three schools in the building at the village and one at the lake,
and has been very successful from the first, nearly all the districts in the town
(eighteen, besides the four mentioned) being represented among its pupils. L.
B. Carlisle was the first principal and was succeeded in 1880 by Professor
Thomas R. Kneil. He was educated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Conn., whence he graduated in 1875. He was born in Westfield, Mass., in
185 I, and is a young man of excellent native ability. Under him as teachers
are Mis§ Addie M. Bunnell, intermediate ; Miss Clara A. Stanton, first primary ;
Miss Frank M. Locke, second primary (lake). The average attendance is
about one hundred and seventy. The school passed under the control of the
Regents of the University in 1881 and graduated its first class in 1883.
Free Masonry. — Molang Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 370, of Crown Point,
was chartered July 2d, 1855. Its charter was forfeited in June, 1870.
Rescue Lodge, F. and A. M., was organized in 1876, with the following
charter members : J. D. Hardy, James West, J. E. Pond, G. G. Gage, William
Scott, H. J. Pqtter, Robert Taylor, C. N. Mead, L. B. Carlisle, E. T. Strong,
S. Taylor. The officers under the dispensation were : J. D. Hardy, M. ; James
E. Pond, S. W. ; James West, J. W. ; Robert Taylor, treasurer ; L. B. Carlisle,
secretary ; G. G. Gage, S. D. ; C. N. Mead, J. D. ; William Scott, tiler ; E. T.
Strong, S. M. C. ; S. Taylor, J. M. C. The first officers chosen under the
charter were : James E. Pond, M. ; George G. Gage, S. W. ; S. Taylor, J. W. ;
Robert Taylor, treasurer ; M. H. Turner, secretary ; Adelbert Barse, S. D. ;
Eugene Wheelock, J. D. ; Otis Breed, S. M. C. ; L. A. Porter, J. M. C. ;
Hyde R. Barnett, tiler; S. Taylor, James West, B. P. Treadway, trustees.
The present officers are : S. Taylor, M. ; H. D. Spicer, S. W. ; Hyde R. Bar-
nett, J. W. ; L. R. Berry, treasurer ; F. H. Ingalls, secretary ; T. R. Kneil,
S. D. ; E. E. Spaulding, J. D. ; C. N. Mead, tiler ; Z. C. Sherman, S. M. C. ;
Adelbert Barse, J. M. C. James E. Pond is the only resident P. M.
The C. F. Hammond Post No. 533, Department of New York, G. A. R.,
was organized January 24th, 1885. Following are the names of the charter
members and officers : Thomas F. Allen, Solomon Allen, Elmer J. Barker,
Egbert A. Braman, Henry Betts, William Barrows, James Bryden, James
Deane, Charles F. Dunckler, Elbert M. Johnson, John H. Kelly, Sidney
3S6 History of Essex County.
Knights, William P. Lamson, Simeon P. Mclntyre, Alpharis H. Moore, Vice-
roy Moore, Clark M. Pease, Nelson Smith, John W. Treadway, William H.
Taylor, Hiram Underhill, Henry E. Wyman, Franklin Waite, Robert Water-
man. Officers : Commander, James Deane ; senior vice-commander, Elmer
J. Barker; junior vice-commander, Simeon P. Mclntyre; surgeon, John W.
Treadway ; chaplain, Egbert A. Braman ; adjutant, Clark M. Pease ; quarter-
master, Henry E. Wyman ; officer of the day, Thomas F. Allen ; officer of
the guard, John H. Kelly ; sergeant-major, Elbert M. Johnson ; quartermaster-
sergeant, Franklin Waite.
Crown Point Center. — The settlement at this point, about three miles up
the creek from the lake, was made a little earlier than at what was called
Hammond's Corners. The road now from the latter hamlet to the Center
passes through Factoryville, which is only another section of the well-settled
district beginning at the lake and extending westward — as though a populous
village away up the creek had been caught by one of the floods for which that
stream is not unknown and carried down stream, portions of it being left along
on the banks.
There has been a post-office here and at the " Lower Hollow," as it is
locally called, since early in the century. The office was located at the " Upper
Hollow " permanently some twenty-five years ago, while at the Lower Hollow
there was continual strife in early years to secure its location permanently at
Hammond's Corners ; and it vibrated from one of these points to the other.
" 'Squire " George Bunn kept a store on the site of the present brick store at
the Center as early as 1825, and '"Squire" Chauncey Fenton was located at
" The Corners." As the post-office was changed from one locality to the other
it invariably also passed from the control of one of these worthy gentlemen to
the other, the name of the office remaining the same — Crown Point. The
office at the Center is now in charge of Miss Ingalls, as deputy, under Henry
E. Wyman. Mr. Wyman succeeded A. S. Palmer.
The early settlements in " Buck Hollow " and vicinity have already been
sufficiently noted. A grist-mill at the Hollow that was operated for many
years fell into ruins in 1884, and there is nothing there indicating business
except a small store kept by A. Bailey. There was a saw-mill there in early
days, and another at the Upper Hollow. These mills were a part of the great
lumber business that was extensively carried on in the town in early years.
William Fuller is the oldest merchant at Crown Point Center. His father
was Cornehus Fuller, who located near the old "red store" in 1818. He re-
moved, however, but came back in 1824 to what was known as the Cummings
farm. He died in the the town in 1829. William Fuller was employed as
clerk for A. B. Chipman, and in 1851 took the position of agent in the Union
store, which was operated by the New England Protective Union, a co-opera-
tive organization. He continued in that capacity for twenty-one years. In
Town of Crown Point. 357
1873 he bought the store and has since that time continued the business on
his own account. His store burned in 1875, when he erected his present sub-
stantial brick building.
A. G. De Poutee has a general store, where he began trade in 1871 with
Henry E. Wyman as a partner, whose interest he subsequently purchased.
He was preceded by J. T. Hill.
The firm of Trimble & Buck carry on a general store in a building which
was erected in 1866 by P. S. Russell. The first firm was Russell & Trimble ;
then Russell, Trimble & Co., and Trimble & Buck since 1869. The firm is
composed of James K. Trimble, who is a son of Chillion A. Trimble, one of the
early settlers already mentioned, who located on the Point, and Rawson C.
Buck.i
The jvagon factory here is owned by Chauncey Dudley, and Samuel Craw-
ford runs the business.
There has been a hotel here since an early day. Elijah Grosvenor had an
early tavern where Moses De Poutee now lives. M. Willcox had the first tav-
ern on the site of the present hotel. The house, as it now stands, is the result
of several changes of structure, and numerous proprietors have tried its for-
tunes. Samuel Russell, Nathan Ingalls, Henry McNutt and Alexander Free-
man were among the proprietors ; it is now kept by John Donnelly. Samuel
Russell was one of the early settlers.
Alexander Turner has kept the harness shop since 1884, in a building that
was put up for the post-office on one of the occasions when the Hammond's
Corners people were temporarily deprived of it. John Little had a harness
shop here formerly.
Rufus Fassett carried on the tinsmith business here for fifteen years. It is
now, and for a year past, in connection with hardware, in the hands of John
Donnelly.
The grist-mill is operated by Henry E. Wyman.
A. M. Buckman manufactures butter tubs, etc., on the site of the old saw-
mill. This mill was reconstructed from the old forge that was built here many
years ago.
Moses De Poutee keeps a grocery.
The old woolen factory at the Upper Hollow was built about 1840 by
William Treadway. It has been operated for thirty years by William Clure.
John M. Locke, one of the early settlers in the neighborhood of the White
Meeting House, on the homestead now occupied by his son, formerly drove a
stage through this region. Wm. Fuller, the merchant, taught a school in that
neighborhood in 1833.
The road as it now runs through the valley was not opened until about
1 SiHce this history was prepared R. C. Buck has died. See biographic sketch in latter pages of
this work.
358 History of Essex County.
1834. Previous to that time the hill road was used. In early days roads were
opened either over or along the sides of hills, to avoid the mud that was sure
to be found in spring and fall in the valleys, at a period when teams were not so
numerous as now.
The first church in the White Meeting House neighborhood was the one
that gave the name to the locality, derived from its own color ; it was not
every church that could in those days boast a coat of paint of any color. It
was located near the center of the town and there were good reasons for be-
lieving that a hamlet or village might be built up there. The town meeting
was held in the old church the first year after it was built. Mr. Fuller remem-
bers that it was necessary to place a guard about the pulpit to prevent the en-
thusiastic electors from breaking it down. The present church was built on
the site of the old one in 1882.
Factoryville. — This is a mere hamlet midway between Crown Point and
Crown Point Center. A post-office is maintained by private effort.
The Crown Point Manufacturing Works are located here and now oper-
ated by James E. Pond. G. W. Foote is in charge of the store. This man-
ufacturing establishment was started for the production of sash, doors, blinds
and pails, by Flint Brothers, some twenty-five years ago. They were suc-
ceeded by C. P. Fobes, who was associated with the Hammonds. Mr. Fobes
bought out his partners' interest and formed the C. P. Fobes Manufacturing
Company. This continued to 1880 when the business took its present name,
with C. L. Hammond as proprietor About two years later it passed to the
present ownership.
The Mason Wheel Company began business here in 1880, manufacturing
patent wagon wheels ; but the business was abandoned in about a year.
Two saw-mills are operated here by Mr. Pond, before mentioned.
Gunnison' s. — There are two ferries from Crown Point across the lake, one
of which is south of the mouth of Putnam's creek and the other north of it.
The one first mentioned is now operated by Gunnison & Brooks and the other
by Wolcott & Rogers, and by Timothy Huestis from this side. A ferry called
Wilkinson's ferry was run from Long Point.
George Gunnison some fifteen years ago erected the large hotel that stands
near his wharf on the lake shore. Its proximity to the railroad and the ex-
pectation that it could be filled with summer guests were the reasons for its
erection ; but the hopes of patronage were not realized and the handsome
house is used only as a sort of boarding-house.
Following are the names that appear on the assessors' roll of the town for
the year 1835, which is worthy of preservation here as indicating the settlers
who had become property owners at that time. The real estate valuation had
then reached $91,361 ; personal property, $4,800. The spelling of some of
the names is undoubtedly incorrect: —
Town of Crown Point.
359
George Adkins,
Martin Armstrong,
William Alden,
James Austin,
Jewet Armstrong,
Samuel Avrel,
Levi Adams,
Mile Aldin,
Benjamin Allen,
Jedediah Barnett,
James Barnett,
John Baldwin,
John Burwell,
Jonas Benedict,
Allen Breed,
Nancy Burge,
Joseph Barret,
Amos Ballou,
Hiram Ballou,
Samuel Barker,
Reuben Barret,
Jacob Bixby,
George Ballou,
John F. Bishop,
Otis Bradford,
Lucian Barret,
John Bigelow,
Gerome Bishop,
Forrest Brown,
Foster Breed,
Jonathan Brooks,
John Barrows,
Joel Boyington,
Eben Bigelow,
Jonathan I. Breed,
Enos Bradford,
Asa W. Barnet,
Silas Buckman,
Allen Breed,
Eumanas Bartlet,
Barker & Fenton,
Abel Bailey,
George Baker,
Zoraster Barrows,
John B. Brooks,
Jared Breed,
Brooks & Floyd,
James Barber,
Hiram Buck,
George Brown,
Daniel Brooks,
Orren Bradford,
Henry Barrows,
Samuel B. Bailey,
Stillman Clark,
John Chilcott,
Charles Coburn,
Warren Cross,
Asa Cram,
George Conn, jr.
Ira Crossman,
Luther Call,
Lewis Cory,
Josiah Converse,
Leon Cummings,
Aburn Crossman,
William Cross,
Abijah Chilcott,
Daniel Cleaveland,
Aaron Chapin,
Charles Cutter,
Calvin Davis,
Hammond Davis,
Bradley M. Davis,
Jona Douglass,
Lyman Drake,
David Drake,
Elisha Davis,
Orson Davis,
Thomas Dibble,
Timothy Dean,
Lyman Drake,
Franklin F. Dike,
Lucius Dunkley,
Stephen Drake,
Benjamin S. Davis,
Ezra Dudley,
Lemuel Derby,
Henry Davis,
John T. Ewen,
Alfred A. Edmunds,
Abijah Farr,
Moses Foster,
Samuel Foot,
Thos. Farnsworth,
John Floyd,
Leonard Fisher,
Aaron Fuller,
Chauncey Fenton,
John Giddings,
Alex'r Griswould,
Asahel Glidden,
Osro P. Gray,
Robert Gracy,
Nichols Gileo,
Gabriel Gibson,
James Gracy,
Elijah Goodrich,
Josiah Glidden,
George Gunnison,
John Groves,
Stephen Hunter,
Thos. Hodgman,
Lemuel D. Howe,
Juba Howe,
Libeas Hascall,
Timothy Heustice,
Norman Hildrith,
James Hutchinson,
Hollis Hildrith,
Bernard Hughes,
Henry Howe,
Joshua Holden,
Benj. Heustice,
Timothy Hodgman,
Henry Hale,
36o
History of Essex County.
Thomas Hildrith,
Chas. F. Hammond,
Hammonds & Co.,
Daniel Huestice,
Daniel D. Huestice,
Samuel H. Ingalls,
Hibbard Ingalls,
Elias Jackson,
Jeramiah Jencks,
Timothy Johnson,
Arrial A. Kibby,
John King, jr.,
Arthur Knowles,
Caleb Kendal,
Thomas Knowlton,
John King,
Stephen Lamson,
Martin Leeland,
Robert Lane,
John M. Lock,
Jedediah Lawrence,
Samuel Lewis,
Wm. Livingston,
Lorenzo Mason,
Susan McAulIy,
John Maginnis,
Sam'l Murdock, jr.,
William Moore,
Abijah Mclntyre,
Roswell H. Morgan,
'Lyman & L. Morton,
William Mills,
Samuel Murdock,
John Moore,
John E. Moore,
Smith McAully,
John R. Mott,
Joel Morton,
Loyal Morton,
Aaron Maginnis,
James Murdock,
Levi Moore,
Micager Mclntyre,
Loyal Monroe,
Amasa Nichols,
Aaron Nilson,
Zadok Nichols,
Asa Nichols,
Amos Nickerson,
William Nilson,
Joshua Newell,
Aaron Nichols,
Rufus Nims,
Nilson & Allen,
William Newell,
John Obsr,
Joseph Ober,
Benegar Pond,
William Perkins,
William Porter,
Amos Pulsifer,
Jacob J. Parmerter,
John Pressy,
Harvey Phillips,
Penfield & Taft,
Ameziah Philips,
Paris L Prible,
Moses Potter,
Abraham Prible,
John Petty,
Solomon Petty,
Charles Pratt,
John Rogers,
Hubbard Russell,
Jonathan Russell,
Levi Rhoades,
Elisha Rhoades,
Randal Reed,
Harris Reed,
Foster Reed,
John Renne,
Ward Rogers,
Phineas Smith,
Frederick Smith,
Samuel Spaulding,
Joel Stanard,
Spaulding & Hatch,
John Sisson,
Amos Stratton,
Hiram Simmonds,
Austin Smith,
Hiram Sprague,
Amos Stanton,
Nathan Sprague,
Samuel Stiles,
Joseph Searles,
Abel Sawyer,
Alex S. Sturtefant
Ira Spaulding,
S'n Spaulding, 2d,
Weston Shattuck,
James Stanton,
Alden Spear,
Phineas Smith,
Miles Spaulding,
Caleb Spaulding,
Ransom Searls,
Hiram Sisson,
Chan'y P. Sawyer,
Stephen Spaulding,
N. T. Simmins,
Colburn Strong,
Elisha Stanton,
Royal Stowel,
David Stowel
William Scofield,
Shaler Towner
Ephraim Towner,
Ephrim I. Towner,
Ichabod A. Towner,
Sam'l Russell (blacksmith), Ira Towner,
Sam'l Russell (inn-keeper), Silas Town,
Daniel Rogers, Trimble & Murdock,
Town of Ticonderoga.
361
John Taylor,
William Titus,
Moses B. Townsend
Tyrell & Chipman,
Benj. F. Towner,
Job Town,
Oka Thompson,
Chilion A. Trimble,
Daniel Taylor,
Aaron B. Townsend,
James Tyrill,
Henry Thrasher,
Jonathan Train,
George Thompson,
George Trimble,
Septamus Turner,
John Townsend,
Abel Wood,
Ariel Wolcott,
Aaron Wheeler,
Benj. Whitman,
Moses Wolcott,
Wilder & Gray,
Thomas Witherbee,
Jotham Wood,
John Woodworth,
Chauncey Whitman,
Peter Wright,
Joseph T. Wilder,
Witherbee & Wood,
John I. Wallace,
Isaac Wilkins,
Samuel Wright,
John Wallace,
Geo. Wrightonton,
Wright & Eaton,
CHAPTER XXVIII.
history of the town of TICONDEROGA.i
FEW localities in this country can boast a historic record of deeper interest
than that of this town; a record shared to a large extent by its sister town
of Crown Point, within which its territory was formerly embraced. This record
is traced into the past more than two hundred and seventy-five years, dimly a
first, but for a century and a half it stands vividly emblazoned on many a living
page; and we are, perhaps, justified in the presumption that long before the
waters of the beautiful lake were first ruffled by a white man's oar and the
forest-covered highlands first echoed the blast from Champlain's arquebus, the
region was the scene of conflicts between contending tribes of native Americans,
equaling in desperate deeds of savage valor, those of later years. Three times
the military post from which the town derives its name has passed from
one to another of hostile nations without a battle, and one unsuccessful attempt
to capture the fortress left two thousand dead and wounded Britons on the field,
1 It is deemed advisable to place the history of this town immediately after that of Crown Point, on
account of its paramount historical importance and intimate connection with that town, although it is
thereby thrown out of its proper chronological order. All subsequent town histories will be given in chro-
nological order in respect to the dates of their formation. In'preparing the history of Ticonderoga we
have availed ourselves liberally of the invaluable work of Joseph Cook, who, almost thirty years ago, de-
voted much time and labor to the writing of a pamphlet devoted to this subject. No comprehensive history
of the town could now be prepared without drawing largely upon this old pamphlet, as many of those
from whom the details were then obtained have since passed from earth. We have intended, as a rule,
to give Mr. Cook credit in each instance for matter taken from his pages; but, lest this should not be
noted by the reader and to embrace the numerous paragraphs which have been condensed and rewrit-
ten from his work, we cheerfully give his early and valuable litt4e book this broad and just credit.
362 History of Essex County.
almost within the sound of the brawling waters that now turn the wheels of
Ticonderoga village.
Let us very briefly summarize the most important events that have occurred
upon this heroic soil : As far as we can know with certainty, the first echo of the
sound of battle among the hills of Ticonderoga was in the summer of 1609, when
Samuel de Champlain, with his party of northern Indians, paddled their canoes to
a point near the present ruined fortress — perhaps directly to that spot — and
encountered a body of Mohawk Indians, long the inveterate enemies of their
northern neighbors. And there, amid scenes of nature' s grandest handiwork and
peaceful repose, the simple-minded Iroquois received from the muzzle of a gun
their first introduction to the civilized race who were eventually to wipe them out
of existence. There is something almost pitiful in reading in the graphic lan-
guage of the great explorer how " the Iroquois were greatly astonished seeing
two men killed so instantaneously, notwithstanding they were provided with
arrow-proof armor." No wonder they were astonished! Of course they were
quickly defeated, being armed only with bows and arrows made by their own
hands ; and thus France laid the foundation of her claim to the territory that
was to cost her so much good blood, and that fruitlessly.
Sanguinary conflict continued for more than a century, with brief intervals
of peace, between the Iroquois on the south, soon reinforced by the English,
and the Algonquins and Hurons, with their new French friends on the north ;
conflict in which the real issue was between the French and the English, the
latter in the maintenance of their claims founded upon the patent granted to
the Duke of York by James II, and the profitable fur trade that had been
developed chiefly by the Dutch from whom it was wrested by the more power-
ful nation. Lake Champlain and its shores were the theatre of much of this
warfare, and the lofty promontory which commanded at once the lake and the
stream that connects it with Lake George, was the key to the situation be-
tween the hostile forces. The possession of this point and the no less com-
manding one of Crown Point was coveted by both contending nations. The
French erected forts at Chambly and Sorel to protect New France from the
destructive incursions of the Iroquois ; but Montreal fell before their valor in
1689, inspirited and aided as they were by the English. Crown Point was
especially desired by the French.
The struggle continued until 171 3, when it was temporarily ended by the
treaty of Utrecht, which defined the boundary of the Iroquois possessions on
the north and guaranteed on the part of the French that they should remain
"inviolate by any occupation, or encroachment of France."
In direct contravention of the terms of the treaty, the French in 173 1, in
the face of the then inefficient authorities of New York, proceeded up thelake to
Crown Point and there erected Fort St. Frederic. The only reason they
offered for this unwarrantable act was to protect their territory from possible
E7ii^'^'by HB.mats Sons.lfeuTnrK.
Town of TicoistDEROGA. 363
incursions by the Iroquois ; and the fort was built far within the Hmits of the
Iroquois domain! The outrage was permitted with only ineffectual protests
from the torpid representatives of the English, although Crown Point was and
long had been one of their important trading stations with the Indians. To
further this ostensible purpose, Fort Carillon (chime of bells) or Ticonderoga
was begun by the French in 1755 ; and all this time the colonists were com-
plaining bitterly of French encroachment and urging the government to op-
pose it. At last Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, who seems to have ap-
preciated the situation, appealed indignantly to New York and aroused the
governor's interest by directing his attention to the exposed condition of the
frontier. An army was raised which was placed under command of Sir Wil-
liam Johnson and General Lyman. This army marched against the French
on Lake Champlain, erecting Fort Edward on the way, and on the 8th of Sep-
tember, 1 755, was met by Dieskau at the head of Lake George, defeated him
in a bloody battle, took the wounded commander p,risoner and many of the
troops. Had this victory been followed up. Fort St. Frederic, then falling into
premature decay, and Fort Carillon, only just begun, must have easily fallen
into English hands with little loss ; but Johnson fell back and spent the sum-
mer in erecting Fort William Henry at the head of Lake George. Meanwhile
the colonists besought England for aid ; but they were left largely to their
own resources ; and in the warfare that followed the brave rangers, Prescott,
Stark, Putnam, Pomeroy and Rogers, learned the lesson that was later to win
liberty for the country. The French proceeded with the building of the fort
at Ticonderoga. England was at last aroused and demanded the demolition
of the works at Crown Point. This was refused and in 1756 England declared
war. The following year Montcalm besieged, captured and destroyed fort
William Henry.
England, now thoroughly aroused, fitted out what was then a magnificent
army of 16,000 men, placed the command in the hands of the impotent Aber-
crombie, and the force sailed down Lake George in all the splendor of battle
array, to encounter an enemy one-quarter as numerous, but wisely entrenched
by the sagacious and gallant Montcalm behind breastworks, the lines of which
can still be traced at a distance from the ruins of the fort. The English landed
at Howe's Landing on the west shore of Lake George. Abercrombie, oblivious
of any possibility of defeat and with a degree of regard for his personal safety
that his real importance scarcely justified, established his headquarters a mile
from the fatal field, at the falls which are now the life of the busy village.
Abercrombie's inefiiciency was not unknown to his government, and to compen-
sate for it as far as possible, Lord Howe was given a command next to the
g^neral-in-chief, and he took the immediate direction of the army at the open-
ing of the battle.
Before noon of July 6th Stark and Rogers were pressing around toward
364 History of Essex County.
the French Hnes, nearly four miles distant. Fearing the arrival of expected
reinforcements to Montcalm, Abercrombie pressed his attack without awaiting
the approach of his artillery; but even with it, the result might have been the
same. The first advancing column was led by the gallant Howe. Trout
brook was reached not far from the site of the present lower village where a
small body of the enemy was encountered, apparently confused in the forest in
an attempt to regain the fort. A skirmish ensued and almost at the first fire
Howe was slain. Reinforcements came up and, although momentarily waver-
ing through the loss of their general, the troops fought valorously and nearly
the entire body of French and Indians were killed or captured. The army
now returned to their landing, disheartened by the unhappy fall of their leader
and wearied with their encounter with the foe and with methods of warfare in
which they had no experience. With the early morning the French lines-
were hurriedly surveyed by a scouting engineer, who pronounced them com-
paratively slight and vulnerable ; upon this report an immediate assault was
determined upon.
But Montcalm had not been idle. All night long spades and axes had
been active, and the sun rose upon a breastwork nine feet high, twenty feet
thick at the base and ten at the top. It continued for a long distance so as to-
defend the fort, was laid out with numerous angles, a deep ditch in front and
mounted with artillery. Beyond this the timber was fallen with the tops
towards the foe, forming an entangled mass of limbs difficult to penetrate.
But all this is reported to Abercrombie as a comparatively flimsy work. And
up towards it from the outlet march the refreshed battalions, little foreseeing-
their fate. Behind the embankment thousands of loaded muskets await their
coming and the artillery men are at their posts ; and over all was the intrepid
general, his coat off, and nothing escaping his watchfulness. Waiting until
they " could count the buttons on the Englishmen's coats," a line of flame ran
along the embankments and the forests are filled with death and groaning in
an instant. Heroically the English soldiers fought, returning again and again
to the assault, only to be hurled back in disorder. A few of the impetuous
Highlanders reached the entrenchments, scaled the side and sprang in among
the French only to die at their feet. Abercrombie, from his place of safety,,
ordered forward battalion after battalion, and each in turn fell back shattered
and defeated. The retreat sounded. Routed, conquered, the remnant of the
proud army started for their landing at Lake George — a retreat that became
a rout, and the rout a panic ; wounded left on the field ; dead unburied ; stores
sacrificed.
Abercrombie was very properly recalled and superseded in the following
year by Lord Amherst. Again an army of 1 1,000 men sailed down Lake
George and appeared before Ticonderoga July 26th, 1759. The fortress was
won without bloodshed. His purpose was to capture the fort by a prolonged
Town of Ticonderoga. 365
siege ; but the force left in possession by Montcalm (under Boulamarque) was
not large, and had been greatly weakened for the better protection of Quebec
against the oncoming of Wolfe, and four days after the investment the fort was
set on fire and abandoned. The English general immediately began to enlarge
and strengthen the works. Crown Point was also soon evacuated to be occu-
pied by Amherst, who spent $10,000,000 in the erection of a magnificent for-
tress at that point.
At Ticonderoga was established a small ship yard and a flotilla built, which
brought on the first naval engagement on Lake Champlain, by attacking the
French fleet at Plattsburg. Amherst and his army remained at Crown Point
and Ticonderoga during the ensuing winter.
It was in the winter of this year (1758) that occurred the event which gave
the name to Rogers's rock. This is a precipitous rocky elevation rising from
the western shore of Lake George to an altitude of 600 feet, just south of the
boundary between Essex and Warren counties ; its face stands at an angle of
twenty-five degrees from the perpendicular. The story of Rogers, the ranger,
is well known but often misstated. With a small scouting party he was re-
turning in the winter from the vicinity of Crown Point to Fort George. The
French then occupied Fort Ticonderoga and had outposts along the outlet of
the lake. Avoiding these he plunged across the plateau into the forests of
Trout brook valley, hoping to reach Lake George without a skirmish. The
spot is still pointed out where the party first discovered an Indian lying down
and drinking from the brook. Firing upon him, they soon found that they
were in a large ambuscade of infuriated savages. A fierce battle ensued on
the sloping ground between the brook and the East mountain. Numerous ar-
rows, bullets, knives, tomahawks and other relics have since been plowed up
on this ground, seeming to attest the truth of the traditionary battle. All of
Rogers's men were killed, and he retreated on snow shoes up the gorge, closely
pursued by the Indians. Traversing the summits of the mountains separating
the valley from Lake George, he soon came to its abrupt southern terminus, hav-
ing meanwhile devised a possible means of escape. With the savages not half a
mile in the rear, he walked boldly down to the edge of the precipice and hur-
riedly unlashed his knapsack and slid it down the face of the rock. Then unbind-
ing the tight thongs of his snow shoes, he turned himself about on them, taking
care to scuffle the snow somewhat, and retreated, thus reversing his tracks
along the southern brow of the rock, descended a gorge, came around to the
foot of the " slide," reshouldered the knapsack and fled on the ice to Fort
George. This ruse, of course, left two tracks from different directions meeting
at the edge of the precipice. The savages on coming up supposed that two
individuals had met there and cast themselves down the rock, either in a scuffle,
if they were foes, or in fear, if they were friends, rather than fall into savage
hands. Many a deer forced to leap off" that height had been crushed to death.
366 History of Essex County.
and what was therefore their astonishment to behold the active major hurrying^
off, alive and with legs unbroken, after a fall of 200 feet. The savages at once
concluded that a man who could pass unscathed through such an ordeal, must
be under the miraculous care of the Great Spirit, and they pursued him no far_
ther. From this incident has come down the name of " Rogers's slide."
Lake Champlain was now in the hands of the English, with the two strong
fortifications on its shores ; but they seemed to scarcely need it until their own
tyrannical acts brought down upon their heads the great strike for liberty in
1776. During this period the busy hand of time had initiated the decay of
Ticonderoga, while the works at Crown Point reached a still weaker condition.
In 1773 General Hildebrand was in command of the two fortresses, and he
announced to his government that the fort at Crown Point was "entirely de-
stroyed," and that at Ticonderoga in a " ruinous condition," and that both
would " not cover fifty men in winter." This was doubtless an exaggerated
statement, as fifteen years could scarcely have worked such havoc upon these
strongholds. However, weakened as they doubtless were, the commanding
position and natural defenses of the two situations could not be altered.
Aroused by the guns of Lexington, the inhabitants' of the colonies who were
widely separated from each other, turned their attention to the capture of the
Lake Champlain forts. Accordingly in May, 1775, Ethan Allen, at the head
of eighty-three Green Mountain Boys, appeared at dawn before the sally-port
of Ticonderoga. The sentry was doubtless surprised ; but he snapped his gun,
which missed fire, and retreated into the fort closely followed by the patriots.
Had his gun, pointed directly at Allen's breast, been discharged, who can say
what momentous changes it might have wrought in later events. The little
band of Green Mountaineers marched in upon the square, an alarm was raised
and Allen demanded the appearance of the commander, Captain de la Place.
He came from his peaceful couch and received the demand for instant surren-
der of the garrison, upon the "authority of the great Jehovah and the conti-
nental congress." The garrison consisted of only forty- nine men, whose cap-
ture constituted the first prisoners taken in the Revolution. Ticonderoga
again changed hands without a battle. On the following day Crown Point,
with its then insignificant garrison of twelve men, fell into the, hands of the
Continentals. Upon this feature of our subject Joseph Cook wrote in his
pamphlet to which we have alluded : —
" So important to the colonies was this victory and so romantic the circum-
stances under which the surprise was executed, that the memory of Ethan
Allen will be co-existent with history. It may be doubted, however, whether
the bravery of his exploit has not been overstated. The forces were eighty-
four men, wide awake, with reinforcements at their back, against forty-nine
asleep. Besides, the fort was in a dilapidated condition ; its sentinels were in-
efficient ; duty and discipHne were exceedingly lax. Phelps, one of the com-
Town of Ticonderoga. 367
mittee who gave Allen his official power, and who had visited the fort as a
barber the day before its capture, reported these facts to Allen. It was a
reckless, well-executed providential surprise ; and, though full of bravery, was
by no means so conspicuous a display of that military virtue, as the Green
Mountain Boys and Allen had often before made. Was it anything remarka-
ble that at Crown Point 100 men fresh from victory should surprise and take
a sergeant and ten lazy Red coats in a garrison that had been reported two
years before as ' entirely destroyed ? ' Arnold, it will be remembered, whose
reputation for courage and reckless daring has never been impeached, however
infamous his other qualties, marched by the side of Allen from the poising of
the fire-locks on the shore to the triumphant entrance into the parade. Of
course, La Place, with one-third of his forty-eight men taken prisoners, the
enemy in the heart of his fortress, Allen's sword over his head allowing him
neither time to argue nor power to resist, could do nothing but surrender.
The true merit of the exploit consists in the wary approach to the fortress, the
bold and sudden onset, and the imperative demand at the commandant's door,
which made the whole attack such a complete surprise, and which Ethan
Allen, of all men, was best fitted to execute. Yet, after all, providential aid
was the turning point, for had not the sentinel's gun missed fire, or had the
boats been procured twenty minutes later for the crossing, it Would be difficult
to say what would have been the fate of the enterprise."
Timid and still loyal to Great Britian, Congress ordered that the stores and
armament of Ticonderoga be removed to the head of Lake George and a strong
fortification erected there. An inventory of all property so removed was also
ordered taken, " in order that they may be safely returned when the restora-
tion of harmony between Great Britian and her colonies, so ardently desired by
the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with the over- ruling law of
self-preservation." This proposal was not executed and the armanrient of Ti-
conderoga subsequently became of great value to the Americans in operations
near Boston.
On the nth of September, 1776, occurred the beginning of the memo-
rable naval battle on Lake Champlain between the ileets of Sir Guy Carleton
and Benedict Arnold, near Valcour Island, which was continued farther south
on the 13th. It ended in the defeat of the American vessels, and had this
success been promptly followed up by Carleton, it is certain that a desperate
conflict would have ensued, the result of which would have been, to say the
least, doubtful. In expectation of such an event the fort at Ticonderoga was
put in better condition by the American forces stationed there. But Carleton
retired to Canada.
Quiet reigned at Ticonderoga until the summer of 1777, when General
John Burgoyne, upon whom rests the stigma of having deliberately hired the
savages to aid him in conquering the Americans, came up the lake, scattering
368 History of Essex County.
boastful proclamations that were intended to terrorize the inhabitants and ren-
der his victory still more easy. The occasion was a critical one. Major-gen-
eral Schuyler was then in command of the northern department, with General
St. Clair in immediate command of Ticonderoga and its dependencies. Bur-
goyne's army comprised in gross about 7,500 men. The small garrison at
Crown Point abandoned that position and fell back to Ticonderoga, before
which the British encamped on the ist of July. Energetic efforts had been
put forth to strengthen the works and much had been accomplished (see
Chapter XIV) ; but Sugar Loaf Hill, the lofty eminence directly west of the
fort and overlooking it (Mount Defiance) had not, unfortunately, been fortified.
The fact was undoubtedly occasioned by a prevailing belief that it was almost
inaccessible, and the lack of sufficient men to accomplish the work. Mount
Hope also, now the peaceful resting place, of the dead, which commanded the
outlet and the communications with Lake George, was not fortified. These
important facts were soon discovered by the British, who were stationed on
both sides of the lake and on two frigates and several gunboats. St. Clair
hoped and believed that the British assault would be made against the old
French lines, and therefore withdrew his troops at the saw-mill and from the
block-houses on the outposts. The British thereupon took immediate posses-
sion of Mount Hope, their sanguine expectations from that event leading them
to give it the name it has since borne. There they entrenched, hurriedly build-
ing lines which can be faintly traced to this day. During two days of arduous
labor they dragged a battery of cannon to this emnience.^ Meanwhile Sugar
Loaf Hill had been reconnoitered by Burgoyne's chief engineer. It was, of
course, reported as unfortified, perfectly overlooking and commanding the fort,
and what was of vastly more importance to them, could be reached by a road
for cannon in twenty-four hours. From that moment Ticonderoga was doomed.
All night long the British axes rang in the forest that climbed the steep accliv-
ity, as once before the French axes had disturbed a night on the plain below.
The noise of the choppers on the present occasion was drowned by the con-
tinued pounding of artillery from Mount Hope, which was answered from the
old French lines.
At this juncture appears Rev. Thomas Allen, ^ who from 1764 was forty-
five years pastor of the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, Mass., chap-
lain with General Lincoln at White Plains in 1776, and again at Ticonderoga
in June and July, 1777, and also serving as a volunteer with musket in hand.
He collected money and clothing for the poorly clad and poorly paid soldiers,
1 Mount Hope is an abrupt and rocky elevation on the west side of the outlet of Lake Horicon
(George) near the lower falls. It is especially rough and precipitous on the northeast side. Ranges
for breastwork, angles for cannons, etc., enclosing about four acres are yet to be seen upon this in-
teresting locality ; also near by a log bridge over a marsh, built for the transportation of the cannon. —
Me. Cook's Pamphlet.
2 Uncle of the mother of Colonel William E. Calkins, of Ticonderoga.
Town of Ticonderoga. 369
and, as the historian of Pittsfield well says, " appears to have managed what
answered for a Christian and sanitary commission." His diary kept while at
Ticonderoga, throws much light upon the campaign of that memorable summer.
A few hours before Ticonderoga was evacuated by the Continental troops, and
when, with the enemy in full sight, a battle or siege was imminent, Mr. Allen
addressed the soldiers, and a portion of his patriotic, devout words is well
worth quoting as showing the spirit of the man and the times : " Valiant sol-
diers, should our enemies attack us, I exhort and conjure you to play the man.
Let no dangers appear too great, let no suffering appear too severe for you to
encounter for your bleeding country. Of God's grace assisting me, I am de-
termined to fight and die by your side rather than flee before our enemies,
or resign myself up to them. Prefer death to captivity ; ever remember your
unhappy brethren made prisoners at Fort Washington, whose blood now cries
to Heaven for vengeance, and shakes the pillars of the world, saying, ' How
long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not avenge our blood on them that
dwell upon the earth ?' Rather than quit this ground with infamy and disgrace,
I should prefer leaving this body of mine a corpse on this spot.
"I must finally recommend to you, and urge it upon you again and again,
in time of action to keep silence ; let all be hush and calm, serene and tranquil,
that the word of command may be distinctly heard and resolutely obeyed.
" And may the God of heaven take us all under his protection and cover our
heads in the day of battle, and grant unto us his salvation. "i
The sunrise breeze of the 5 th played with the floating banners of the Brit-
ish on the pinnacle overlooking the fortress. The Britons felt the impregna-
bility and power of their position and named it Mount Defiance. They could
look down on every movement of their enemy and could toss red-hot shot
directly into their works. No wonder St. Clair called a council of war. His
situation was pitiful. To evacuate the fort was to lose his reputation ; to hold
it was to sacrifice his army. His defenses were strong enough, but he had been
given but about 3,500 men, the fort was weak in supplies of all kinds and his
men poorly armed. Immediate evacuation was determined upon. As the
British could perceive every movement of the beleaguered fortress, the evacu-
tion must be made in the night and with the utmost caution. Then followed a
heavy cannonade from the lines to cover the noise of preparation ; the lights
were put out and stores, sick and women hastily prepared for the retreat. At
three o'clock on the morning of the 6th the troops began to cross the bridge
to the eastern shore. All went well. Suddenly the heavens were illuminated
by the fires of a burning building which had been ignited in direct contradic-
tion of orders. Then followed the swift pursuit, the moonlight voyage to
Skenesborough, the hurried retreat of the land forces through the Vermont
forests, the battle at Hubbardton and the final escape of the broken army to
1 Substantially. — History of Pittsfield, Mass.
24
370 History of Essex County.
fort Edward, which scenes have been already described in detail in our early-
chapters.
The next and last military event that has left its halo of historic interest
around the crumbling walls of Ticonderoga, occurred in September, 1777.
While Burgoyne was pressing down the valley of the Hudson towards Albany,
General Lincoln, in command of the troops .to the east of that river, made an
attempt to recover Ticonderoga and the other posts in the rear of the invaders.
He detailed Colonel John Brown with five hundred men for this purpose.
Brown landed at the foot of Lake George, and by rapid movements surprised
the posts between there and Ticonderoga. He took possession of the old
French lines of Mount Hope and attempted the occupation of Mount Defiance,
capturing 290 prisoners, 200 bateaux, several gunboats, and released lOO Amer-
ican prisoners. " He found it impracticable with his force to hold Ticonderoga
and Mount Independence opposite, and rejoined Lincoln." On hearing of the re-
treat of Burgoyne at Saratoga the British garrison left at Ticonderoga retreated
to Canada,, were pursued, and forty-nine of their number, with cattle, horses
and boats, taken by the Green Mountain rangers ; but the fortress was again
occupied in 1780 by the British General Haldibrand, and " became the scene of
those diplomatic negotiations between Vermont and England which have been
so often discussed and which historians have enveloped in such obscurity. Pub-
lic documents, however, are not wanting to show that the armistice established
between Haldibrand and the Vermont authorities and the negotiations which
followed were not dictated by any disloyalty to Congress on the part of Allen,
Chittenden and others who were engaged in them, but by the most consum-
mate political sagacity.. A masterly diplomatic bait and inactivity were used
to shield the whole northern" frontier, and effectually arrested for a long period
the action of Haldibrand's tenthous and troops. Soon came peace, then de-
stroying time, crumbling walls, venerableness, and visitors, to the present day." ^
Perhaps we can do no better in describing the present condition of the his-
toric ruins of Ticonderoga than to use the language of Mr. Cook, as the changes
wrought by time since the date of his publication are insignificant. The
grounds surrounding the ruins and extending outward to embrace six hundred
acres were purchased many years ago by Archibald Pell, and the Pavilion Hotel
was erected by Beecher Higby, a Glens Falls architect. The grounds were
handsomely laid out and included the supposed site of the battle between
Champlain and the Indians. This house was opened as a public hotel in 1838.
Mr. Pell occupied it, but he was destined to enjoy his property only a short
time. He had a small cannon with which it was his custom to salute the ap-
proaching steamers. In firing this on one occasion it burst, kiUing him in-
stantly. The property has, however, remained in the Pell estate to the pres-
ent time. Mr. Cook wrote: " In approaching the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga,
iMr. Cook's Pamphlet.
Town of Ticonderoga. 371
as a majority of visitors do, walking up along the road from the lake or the
Pavilion Hotel, the first object of interest is the old well by the roadside at the
right, which supplied water to the garrisons. Though not as safe as if within
the fortress, it is protected from capture by its nearness to the covering bas-
tions of the fort, and by its position on a side on which the enemy would not
be likely to approach. The sally-port of the fortress is upon the opposite
side. You notice the size and depth of the well. Its inner diameter is seven
feet and four inches ; the depth to which a pole can now be run down ten feet
and three inches ; the thickness of the wall thirty inches. Though an unfail-
ing spring, the water is rendered unfit for use by the old rotting logs and
green moss and slime that are allowed to fill it. Bunches of elder cling to the
inner wall and the frogs on the floating slabs are not too far down to be out of
the sunlight.
" Turning to the left from the well you follow a path up the ascent to the
opening of the covered way which led out to the well. That path is the very
one along which, in the gray dawn of the May morning, guided by Nathan
Beaman, a Vermont boy familiar with the passages of the garrison, Ethan Allen
and his eighty men approached the fort. Those two elm trees, covered with
vines, stand just beyond the wicket gate or entrance to the covered way, where
the sentinel snapped the fusee. This was the back door of the fortress, and
Ethan entered without knocking. You cannot enter the covered way, for it is
now filled up and marked only by a lengthened hollow. On each side of this,
however, especially nearer the outer extremity, under the trees, you can. trace
the walls of the passage along the surface of the ground, thirty-three inches
apart, and if you care for relics, may gather a lock of moss or pound off a piece
of the Hmestone from the very opening of that marked spot in history. There
is no doubt about the locality : Ethan Allen's narrative, other accounts, tradi-
tion, the position of the well, the sunken way, and walls before you, all go to
establish the identity of the spot. You follow the depression to the kft twenty-
five paces to the edge of the counterscarp, which you mount, and tumbling
across the ruins of the eastern line of barracks, at the extreme southern end,
of which the foundations only remain, you find the passage entering the parade
ground at its southeast corner, seven feet wide. Here with swift feet poured
in Ethan Allen's men ; on the two longer sides they were arranged ; forty in
a row facing the barracks, so as to be ready.to receive the garrison, then waked
by the invading parties' tremendous cheers.
" To have a clear idea of Ethan Allen's memorable surprise, you must im-
agine the ruined barracks on the south, east and north to be restored, win-
dows in, oak doors on their hinges, roofs renewed, a gallery running around
the entire inclosure in front of the second story, and this bright flood of sum-
mer light exchanged to the deep shadows of the hour before sunrise. In the
northwest corner of the parade ground toward Mount Defiance you must see
572 History of Essex County.
a pair of wooden stairs mounting to the gallery. Up these stairs Ethan Allen
hurries, with young Beaman at his elbow, and stands before the first door in
the second story at the south end of the west line of barracks. You hear the
loud rapping with the hilt of his sword ; you see La Place open the door, yet
in his night dress, with a candle in his hand ; you see his pretty wife peeping
over his shoulder, shuddering while the barrack doors are beaten down. You
hear the parley, the demand, the expostulating, the ring of Ethan Allen's
sword, and oaths, and the surrender. Then, if you wait, you may see the
garrison paraded without arms. The wild delight of the victors, that sunrise
which Allen recorded as one of ' superior lustre,' while all the while around
the counterscarp boom the cannon that announce to the continent the first
victory of American liberty. If you turn back to Ethan Allen's own graphic
account of the scene you will find nothing to contradict the correctness of your
information as to localiti' s. The persons and events are not more sure. The
testimony of Isaac Rice, whose brother was with Ethan Allen at that time, and
who himself performed garrison duty here under St. Clair, often given to the
writer and to travelers, establishes all other traditions and records, that the
door in the upper story, south end of the eastern line of barracks, was actually
that of the chamber of La Place. Some curious tourists take the trouble to
carry away a bit of the plaster from that chamber or of limestone from the
casing of that door, and whatever value one's taste may set upon the relics,
their authenticity cannot be questioned.
" You stand now in the center of the fortress, an open square made by
two-story barracks, substantially built of limestone. Those to the west are
yet standing ; those to the south, partially ruined ; those to the east and north,
entirely destroyed, except the foundations and cellar walls. This square was
the parade ground. You pace it, and make it one hundred and sixty feet
long by about seventy feet broad. The thistles stand thick about the stones
scattered over the green sward on which the lengthening shadows of the ruins
fall. Roofless, doorless, windowless, the old barracks have a ghastly appear-
ance as they stare at you across the parade ground. Two stories, each with
six ghastly window holes with no panes but air, no sash but spider webs and
ivy, remind one strongly of the dilapidating power of time. Yet Fort Ticon-
deroga is one of the best preserved ruins of its age and material on the conti-
nent. You enter the barracks and find the old plaster firm yet on the walls
of the apartments. Large fire-places, with chimneys carried up within the
walls, remind you of the cosy times officers and men must have had there
when wood was plenty and enemies few. Yet cosy times bred indolence, and
indolence riot and desertion, and so punishment was needed now and then.
In this alley, between the ends of the west and south barracks, was a gallows,
and that portion of a burnt and rotten beam standing out of the wall is said
to have been a part of it.
Town of Ticonderoga. 373
" Immediately before you as you leave the alley, ten feet wide, toward Mount
Defiance are several abrupt grassy mounds, said to have been made by the
blowing up of the magazine, an underground room located under them, in this
exposed part of the fortress.
" In the warm sunHght of this summer's day, the time will be well spent if
you find your way down the steep bastion toward the south and sit down to
rest a moment upon the extreme edge of the outer wall overlooking the outlet
of Lake George toward Mount Defiance and study the landscape with its asso-
ciations. It is a descent of one hundred feet down the steep edge of this spur
corner, along the bushes and the little bit of pasture to the water of the lake.
A regiment of young sumachs press up the acclivity of the ruins at the foot
of the fall and almost scale the summit ; over them twines the ivy, forming
stacks of green shadow, and conquering by gently winning tendrils, where the
soldier with bayonet and cannon might strive in vain, mounts to the very top
and looks into the inclosure. The song of the cricket undulates in the warmth
of the sunHght. The chirps of bird and squirrel among the bushes mingle
with the scarce heard plash of water on the beach and the sounds from a distant
farm-house. The lumber-loaded craft on the lake remind you of the invalua-
ble water power at Ticonderoga. A steamer has just passed and leaves a white
track on the still water, -where once, beneath the guns from this fort, nothing
above the surface could pass and live. That track you will remember is that
for the command of which two great nations struggled, poured out the blood
of armies and treasure by millions.
" Opposite your resting-place in Vermont, the well-wooded slope of Mount
Independence, 750 feet above 'Champlain,' mantled in the sun with deep
green and heavy shadows. The table land of its summit has three rich spots
of earth; burial grounds of soldiers, all save one indistinguished graves with
little rough headstones with no inscriptions, — and that one a name unknown.
The hospital was on Mount Independence. Should you give yourself the
pleasure of a boat ride across the waters between Grenadier's battery at the
end of this promontory yonder, and' Mount Independence, over the very
waters passed by the bridge and boom broken by Burgoyne, you would find
the edge of the pasture in which you land flanked by a battery next the vvater,
and on the summit the horse shoe battery of the old picket fort enclosing a
platform and table of picnic parties, beside the ruins of the hospital and the
graves. In the depth of a July moonhght night you might see that mount as
it looked when St. Clair retreated over it, leaving this fortress to Burgoyne.
Travelers ought to visit Mount Independence, but it will be something more
than a majority can boast if you look at it and know what is there.
" Across the outlet of Horicon the bold and rocky side of Mount Defiance,
sloping to the sun, presents a glory of'light and shade. Its summit commands
us. Ten bristling cannon there, though two miles away, would defeat a hun-
374 History of Essex County.
dred mounted here. They knew it in St. Clair's time, but they had not men
enough to man the mountain. The mere sight of the red coats and their bat-
tery, commanding there, drove St. Clair's army out of these strong walls.
Looking yonder, Montcalm, returning from the old French lines where Aber-
crombie had sacrificed two thousand troops in a vain attempt to take the fort,
made his proud boast that he could take Carillon with two cannon and six
mortars. The beautiful clouds in a sky than which earth had not a bluer, are
at this moment the background against which the mountain pines pencil their
forms — living green against silver white and both aglow in blue. Peacefully
fall the shadows of the orchard trees ; peacefully spread the farms and rise the
wooded lots ; peacefully the cattle yonder, wading from the low point, stand-
ing in the cool plash of the waves among the lillies ; yet, over these same hills
roamed Rogers, Stark and Putnam in another age ; over these same waters
and valleys echoed martial music, boom of musketry and cannon, shouts of
combat, groans of infuriated hosts, in days long gone by. War's stern traces
only become sublime by contrast with the scenes of peace.
" The broad spreading elm between you and the lake, stands in a length-
ened sinking of the pasture which they tell us was the underground passage
to the lake. It has never been explored, yet you may mark distinctly what
seems to be the place where it entered the walls. It is the shortest cut to the
water's edge, and no doubt was used as a protecting though not probably as a
secret passage.
" One tradition before you rises. This bastion has a story, reported in
some rare books and apparently well authenticated. An Indian girl of re-
markable beauty, taken during the French wars, was confined in this fortress.
Her attractions cost her the coarse and dogged attentions of a French officer,
whom all her scorn and vehemence could not cast off. Completely in his
power, her life became a continual torture. Walking by compulsion with him
one night upon the walls, she saved her virtue by leaping from this giddy
parapet upon the rocks below. The very limestone of this wall is ennobled,
the very ruins among which she fell are glorified, by the touch of feet upbear-
ing such a spirit and soul as hers. You will never forget the spot where, dis-
tracted, mangled, and dying, that Indian girl fell, nor regret the savage vehe-
mence which pursued her murderer and his garrison.
" As you rise now and follow the outer walls to the north, you soon come
to a break with an inleading path, which marks the old spot of the entrance
and sally-.port. It is well to stop and think how many commanders and sold-
iers have gone in and out, sometimes with hearts trembling before battles,
sometimes exulting in victory — Montcalm, Amherst, Allen, Gates, St. Clair,
Breyman, Haldibrand. The whole fort is in the form of a star, with nine sharp
spangles. You notice also that the entire north side of the fortress, as you
walk around it, keeping on the counterscarp (fifteen to thirty feet wide), close
Town of Ticonderoga. 375
to the outer wall, was protected by a deep trench or covered way of sixteen
feet wide by ten deep, flowing in two places, one near the entrance and the
other opposite the northern barracks around high bastions. This side was the
most exposed, the height of the parapet not being increased here as on the
opposite by the precipitousness of the ground, and this being the side next the
Une from which an enemy would naturally approach. No trench was needed
on the south side, the height of the walls forming a sufficient defense against
any attack possible from that quarter. Sharp angles in the counterscarp are
matched by curves in the trench which, leading in and out, and standing so
firmly after more than a century, must have been a splendid piece of masonry.
Climbing up the side of the bastions, and weaving across the wide trench, the
ivy covers the nests of birds in the straggling shrubs, and adds its strength
and protection to the mortar in the walls In crossing to where you entered,
you go down to the bottom of the trench near its east end. A soft carpet of
green grass now mantles the place where the old floor lay. Instead of the
tramp of feet, the jay sings sharply out to you from the solitary fallen pine that
overshadowed the ramparts. Sombre is your walk : There are the marks of
the old blasting iron, held and driven by hands long since cold.
"But you climb a steep ascent out of the trench and stand, perhaps un-
consciously, above one of the best preserved portions of the ruins. It is the
oven, entered by a passage way through the cellar in the north end of the
ruins of the east line of barracks, directly in the corner of the parade ground
toward the Pavilion. It is visited daily by scores in the season of travel, as the
countless names on the walls testify.
" A squirrel chirps and runs into his hole as you stoop through a low square
door and enter an arched underground apartment, twelve feet wide and thirty
in length, perfectly bomb proof It is some ten feet high and the bottom
covered with stone and earth fallen in. As the iris expands in the darkness,
you notice two ovens in the farther end, ten feet deep, eight broad, and nearly
six in height. There is a tradition that a passage runs from these underground
to the lake ; but it has never been explored and from the distance to the lake
in this direction, it is exceedingly uncertain. A substantial and safe kitchen is
this room, however. Shot or shell could hardly reach here, that is, with the
old guns, for with our modern artillery Ticonderoga's walls could doubtless be
battered down. But the mortar is thick and strong yet ; the old engineers
were not chary of the limestone on which and with which the for! is built. A
sky-light five feet by three, opens on one side of this arched roof, through
which provisions were probably let down into the store-room. You look up
to see the frown of no armed watch, no steady-pacing, sober sentinel ; but, in-
stead of these, the white flowers of the daisy or the yellow of the golden rod, a
bush of alder, and far above, the blue depths of the sky.
" As you come out of the oven and find yourself in one of the old eel-
376 History of Essex County.
lars of the barracks, you notice that some of the old beams and posts are
standing. A knife applied to their heavy gray corners will show that they are
of oak from the magnificent hard wood forests of the old times.
" Standing again on the grassy mound above the underground room just
left, there remains but one more look to take ; an extended landscape is around
you, rarely surpassed in natural beauty or in richness of historical associations.
The lake and the clear outlet of Horicon circle and defend the promontory on
every side but one. In the woods on the fourth side to the north are the old
French lines. These, the most interesting portion of the fortress for immense
loss of life, can be seen from .the road leading to the village. The breastworks
can be traced for a thousand paces through the woods, full of angles and
fronted by a ditch. The bloody battle-field was just in front of them. Mounts
Independence and Defiance are close at hand, while high in the distance to the
east rise the Green Mountains, clothed in softest blue seen through a crystal
atmosphere. It is said by travelers that nothing in America is so like Italy as
the view of the Green Mountains from the New York shore of Lake Cham-
plain. That point of the Vermont shore nearly over the Pavilion is that from
which Ethan Allen debarked, and the shore opposite clothed in alders, where
he landed. Call up now all the history connected with the spot, all the fierce
struggles of the past for the possession of those gray walls, as you may, and
their grim quiet and desolation, their solemn, mournful smile in the sunlight as
you say farewell, is sufficiently impressive. Over the grounds, instead of
gleaming steel or cannon ball, the soft thistle downs float in the rising wind.
Instead of the Cross of Saint George, the tricolor or the stripes, the ivy leaves
rustle on the ramparts, and in and out at the broken windows go undisturbed
the singing birds, with nests within the walls. At times as you stand in rev-
ery listening to your thoughts — perhaps in a summer evening when the ruins
are most impressive — the scarce heard plash of waves around the promontory,
and the sighing of the lake wind among the leaves and broken angles of the
ramparts, seem transformed to a still, mysterious voice, as of a spirit in the air.
' It is gone — gone — gone,' saith the pulsating sound, keeping harmony with
your thoughts, ' Montcalm, Abercrombie, Howe, Amherst, Allen, St. Clair,
Burgoyne — Indian, French, English, Colonist — burning torch — savage cry
— pouring blood — booming gun — nevermore — nevermore — nevermore.'
And the waves, irregular,- beginning low and growing louder with glad em-
phasis along the shore, seem to answer : ' Evermore, evermore, — peace, peace,
peace.' These are among the lessons of all military ruins, especially of Fort
Ticonderoga. No visitor should leave the scene of the first victory of Ameri-
can liberty without heartier gratitude for the immense results of the struggle
here begun and a profounder sense of duty in the conflict of the present day,
on which depends their enlargement and transmission. The old ruins proclaim
that for the freedom of America the battles of military hosts are passed, those
Town of Ticonderoga. 377
of mind with mind remain. Peace, O, Carillon, we leave with thee, and go
forth thoughtfully, less noble soldiers in nobler wars than thine."
Since these lines were written, and contrary to their confident prediction,
America, whose peace seemed so secure, has passed through an internecine
struggle beside which the battles of Ticonderoga were but insignificant skir-
mishes ; but the Republic again triumphed ; freedom and the union are main-
tained and liberty lives.
As a contribution to the descriptions of the vicinity of Ticonderoga, let us
see what the observing Dr. Thacher, of St. Clair's army wrote in 1777, under
the heading, " View from a high mountain ; " said he : —
"Byway of amusement I went with three gentlemen of our hospital, to
endeavor to explore a high mountain [undoubtedly Mount Defiance] in this
vicinity. With much difficulty we clambered up and reached the summit.
From this commanding eminence we had one of the most singularly romantic
views which imagination can paint. Northward we behold Lake Champlain,
a prodigious expanse of unruffled water, widening and straightening as the
banks and cliffs project into its channel. This lake extends about 100 miles
towards Quebec, and is from one to five miles wide. On each side is a thick,
uninhabited wilderness, variegated by hills and dales ; here the majestic oak,
chestnut and pine, rear their lofty heads ; there the diminutive shrub forms a
thicket for the retreat of wild beasts. Looking southwest from our stand, we
have a view of a part of Lake George, emptying its waters into Lake Cham-
plain near Ticonderoga. Turning to the east, the' prodigious heights called
Green Mountains, ascending almost to the clouds, are exhibited to view, with
the settlements in that tract of territory caMed New Hampshire grant. The
ancient fortress at Crown Point is about twelve miles north of this place ; it is
by nature a very strong position but it has been abandoned by both armies."
Formation and natural characteristics. — Ticonderoga ^ was formed from the
old town of Crown Point, on the 20th of March, 1804, at the same time that
the town of Schroon was organized. It lies in the southeast corner of the
county, upon the shore of Lake Champlain. The surface of the town is made
up of a plateau of about twenty square miles in the northwest part of the town
and reaching back from Lake Champlain ; a valley about six miles long and
averaging a mile in width which runs centrally south to the shores of Lake
George, a small section of the foot of which extends within the limits of the
town ; the mountains that rise from r^f arly one-half of the territory chiefly in
the west and north parts ; and the streams and ponds that form the drainage
and supply one of the finest water-powers in the State. " The broad field of
clay, sloping from the feet of Miller and Buck Mountains to the lake, forming
the north part of the town and including its richest farming section, is evidently
iThe Indian names, "Tsinondrosie,'' or "Cheonderoga,'' signify "brawling waters," or "where
the waters meet." Thei;e are eight or nine other Indian titles.
378 History of Essex County.
an ancient alluvial deposit. The channel of the creek and the valley once
rose, according to geologists, as high as the plateau mentioned, and Lakeg
George and Champlain were united ; the waters stood level from this town to
the Green Mountains. This was long before man came upon the earth. As the
great waters in the course of the Creator's wisdom were drained away, the
mountain bowls still held the young lakes and gathered from the clouds the
early sources of the streams ; these channeled the earth into valleys. Hence
the village of Ticonderoga stands in a great hollow scooped out by the outlet
of Lake George, and all the valleys and ravines were dug by the flowing
streams. The mountains that have withstood the changes of ages were lifted
from the surface by the action of internal fires and then cooled into the shapes
they have ever since maintained; but along their sides jutting out under the
soil, we find sandstone and level strata of rocks showing the ridges made by
the washing of waves, far from any flowing waters ever known to man —
marks of the great sea which once overspread and molded this region, as it
did all other sections of the continent."
The Ticonderoga plateau now lies 200 feet above the level of Lake Cham-
plain; the lower village about lOO feet and Trout brook valley slopes from
300 to 150 feet above the lake. Upon the plateau are few water courses or
springs, and it was once covered with a massive and dense pine forest.
Trout brook flows northeastward from near the southern boundary of* the
town at about the center of the line, and making a graceful bend at the west-
ward of the Lower Village, flows eastward and joins the outlet at the Lower
Falls. The valley of this stream is lovely beyond description in natural
beauty ; bounded on both sides by the majestic mountains, and likewise closed
at its southern end, whose frowning and rugged sides look down upon a fer-
tile, winding strip of cultivated lands, dotted with groves and neat dwellings.
It seems in summer time almost an earthly paradise.^ Mr. Cook made the
statement that in 1858 in a grove of this valley could be seen the elm, maple,
butternut, basswood, beech, pine, black birch, white birch, ash, ironwood, oak,
hemlock, red cedar, walnut and poplar, all within a circle of a dozen rods —
fifteen different woods, and all planted by nature's hand.
Between the cliffs about the foot of Lake George and the shores of Lake
Champlain, the original forest was undoubtedly almost a dense labyrinth. We
have read of war parties becoming bewildered and lost in its depths. The In-
dians, endowed with peculiar faculties fitting them for their forest life, could
penetrate these vastnesses with impunity ; but the whites were forced to open
pathways before they could safely carry on their operations. On the outlet
the French built a saw-mill while the erection of their fort was in progress,
and before the revolutionizing and destructive armies and the inroads of set-
1 Owing to the rugged character of portions of the surface about the southern end of the valley, the
locality acquired in early years the possibly picturesque, but inelegant namf of " Toughertown " — a
name that should be foresworn by all inhabitants of the town.
Town of Ticonderoga. 379
tiers, the grand old forest fell. A second growth sprang up over most of the
region ; soft wood following as a rule where hard wood grew in the first
instance, and vice versa. In these forests and on the mountain sides the deer
roamed in great numbers, and Trout brook derives its name from the thousands
of this unsurpassed fish that were found in its waters by the pioneers. Mr.
Cook wrote in 1858 that the "harvest fields of Trout brook valley are often
■enlivened by a deer crossing " them ; " Through the pastures, where they are
sometimes seen feeding with the cattle, and even through the gardens more
than once a summer do they yet follow their runway to the waters of Hori-
■con." / Peaceably they can wander here, for they are not hunted as farther
back. Learned Rich, the old hunter, whose father Nathaniel planted the first
•orchard of the valley near the time of the Revolution, shot many a buck and
doe without leaving his door-yard. Bears and wolves were somewhat numer-
ous in early days, and rattlesnakes were exceedingly numerous, old settlers
stating that they " were literally as thick as toads." They infested barns and
out-buildings and were even found on pantry shelves and ensconced between
the logs of bed-room walls.^ These dangerous reptiles have now almost
entirely disappeared, though they were somewhat numerous at what was
known as Rattlesnake Den near Rogers's Rock on Lake George down to a
recent date.^
This town is rich in mineral wealth, the chief products being iron and
graphite. The opening and working of these valuable deposits will be treated
further on. In the south part of the town the naturalist finds ample attrac-
tions. Augite, Plumbago, Feldspar and Titanium (first discovered here), the
four combined in one mass, are now represented in cabinets in all parts of the
world. Garnet, red, yellow, black and green coccalite, and other specimens
are also found.
We have, alluded to the great value of the water-power developed on the
outlet of Lake George. This stream falls more than one hundred and fifty
1 A Rattlesnake by the Tail. — Soon after my arrival here, a soldier had the imprudence to seize a
rattlesnake by the tail ; the reptile threw his head back and buried his fangs into the man's hand. In
■3. few moments swelling commenced, attended with severe pain. It was not more than half an hour
when his whole arm to his shoulder H-as swollen to twice its natural size, and the skin became a deep
■orange color. His body on one side soon became affected in a similar manner, and a nausea at his
•stomach ensued. The poor man was greatly and justly alarmed; his situation was very critical. Two
medical men beside myself were in close attendance for several hours. Having procured a quantity
■of olive oil, we directed the patient to swallow it in large and repeated doses, till he had taken one
•quart; and at the same time we rubbed into the affected limb a very large quantity of mercurial oint-
ment. In about two hours we had the satisfaction to perceive the favorable effect of the remedy. The
alarming symptoms abated, the swelling and pain gradually subsided, and in about forty-eight hours
Tie was happily restored to health. — Dr. Thacher's Journal, 1777.
2 The writer once knew an old man, who had lived for many years in the great wilderness, who
•often related around the camp-fire his experiences in capturing rattlesnakes at this den and in the
vicinity with long pairs of wooden tongs, skinning them and extracting from their bodies the valuable
•oil, which was supposed to be a specific for rheumatism. He also often boxed up a number of the
reptiles, took them to Albany and exhibited them.
38o History of Essex County.
feet in a distance of about a mile and a half; and the rapids and falls which
drew from the Indians the musical name, have become the nucleus of great
manufacturing interests. The course of the outlet is thus described by Mr.
Cook : " As the waters emerged from the vast mountain bowl, within which
they lie with. scarce any perceptible current, their motion quickens into rapids
at the head of the outlet. The quiet ripples gird up their loins for a race.
Along the meadow shores for half a mile the broad stream gurgles gleefully
to the bridge of the upper village. Entering here between rocky 'banks it
approaches the edge of the upper falls and takes the leap. A foaming cataract
now — broken, bounding and booming adown the cliffs ... A slight turn
heaves the volume of water some distance between a high rocky bank, sur-
mounted by a thick stratum of clay upon the one side and the road upon the
other, descending eleven feet to Split Rock, and thence, foaming over stones
and eddying around islands of drift-wood, fourteen feet more to its confluence
with Trout brook. This point is midway between the upper and lower vil-
lages. The broad and shallow stream hastens on, foaming around boulders
that bathe in its currents, eddying past jutting rocks, growing wild and gleeful
as it dances over its bed of stones, makes a descent of seventeen feet to the
first bridge of the lower village. Its swift current is divided here, and then
flows into a natural channel in the sandstone, where it descends forty-four feet
before taking its plunge into the basin at the foot of the rapids; thence it
foams past rocks and dams and then spreads out in the pond at the head of
the lower falls. A widening here pours the volume in a steady sheet nearly
two hundred feet in length, thirty feet over and adown a nearly perpendicular
ledge of stratified rocks to the foot of the lower falls. Here the descent ends
and a broad, navigable creek, flowing between banks of classic ground, emp-
ties the waters into the turbid currents of Champlain beneath the ramparts
of Ticonderoga."
It will be seen from this description that the water-power available upon
this stream is almost unlimited. It was a favorite topic and an ardent hope of
the town half a century ago, that great factories for the manufacture of cotton
goods, such a's had been built in the Eastern States, would be erected on the
outlet, and lay the foundations of a thriving city. Other kinds of mills and
factories and forges would, it was confidently hoped and predicted, also be
established here. The capacity of the immense water-power was estimated
and the general plans of prospective structures on the banks of the stream
discussed. Freshets are seldom destructive on the outlet and there was but
one mile of land transportation between the upper falls and the navigable
waters of Lake Champlain, while at the lower village, " by a natural harmony
of arrangement unsurpassed and invaluable, vessels can come close up under
the mills and load and unload at the very edge of the falls. Were the docks
which commerce would call into existence constructed, the volume of water.
Town of Ticonderoga. 381
thrown into a narrow space, would channel the slight shallows of the creek,
until water craft of the largest burthen could he beam to beam with flouring
mills, factories and forges."
Some of these advantages have been utilized ; many have not. A large
share of the water-power of the outlet was controlled by the agents of the
English land-holder (the Honorable Edward Ellice), and not until since our
last war was it placed in market upon such terms as could offer attractions
to capitalists.
Indian Battle Grounds. — The aboriginal possessors of the continent had
few dwellings between Lakes George and Champlain. Upon these rugged
mountains, through arching forests, rocky pass and dark ravine, was spread the
terror of civil butchery, of wild hate, of bloody revenge. It was the place
where two great waves of Indian warfare met, struggled, sank and left their
ruins. Few sounds, save of the war whoop and the wild birds and beasts ;
few movements save of human or brute forms, crouching, contending, retreat-
ing or simply passing by, disturbed the western shore of Champlain in its ear-
liest ruggedness and beauty. "These parts, though agreeable," writes Samuel
Champlain, in his journal of 1609, as he 'glided along the eastern shore of our
county, " are not inhabited by any Indians in consequence of their wars."
Upon the eastern shore of the lake, however, toward the Green Mountains, the
Iroquois, the Hurons assured him, had many villages, which embraced "beau-
tiful valleys and fields fertile in corn, with an infinitude of other fruits " — but
along its gloomy and fearful western borders, few vestiges of Indian dwelHngs
have been discovered. Weapons of war, however, some of early, but most of
late date, are disturbed by the spade and plow-share with painfully significant
frequency. Arrows from six inches to half an inch in length, of the most per-
fect finish ; mortars, pestles, chisels, gouges, turned with the most surprising
ingenuity ; long knives of stone, shaped to a point and thickened at the back
for strength ; tomahawks of various sizes and states of preservation ; Indian
tobacco boxes, as they are called, curiously hollowed out of rounded stones ;
stray specimens of pottery, of great hardness, plowed up on the plateau at the
north part of the town, along the creek, the flats of Trout brook, and especially
near the rapids at the head of the outlet where the early carrying-place be-
tween the waters began, together with the bullets, gun-trappings, knives, buckles,
buttons, coins and other traces of a later race, bear sad, eloquent and undeni-
able testimony to the history of savage passion, ingenuity, struggling and ex-
termination, and also of pioneer discoveries, dangers and sacrifices.
In the warlike operations of which all these relics speak so eloquently, Lake
Champlain was the highway of travel which perforce passed through this town
in reaching Lake George. .This was the route from the days of ChamplaiVi, as so
clearly shown in his graphic journal, to the close of the Revolutionary War,
over which contending forces marched and countermarched — ample reason
382 History of Essex County.
why it was never made a place of permanent occupation by the Indians, and
scarcely more so by the whites until hostilities were ended.
Settlements. — The valley of Champlain offered little inducement to the
settler, beautiful and fertile as it was, until after the close of the English and
French war. The cession of Canada to England and the proclamation of the
British king issued in October, 1763, authorizing the colonial governors to issue
grants of land on either side of Lake Champlain, opened the way to purchase,
immigration and settlement. Large grants were made to former British offi-
cers and soldiers who participated in the recent campaigns. We have men-
tioned the existence of the French saw-mill on the outlet, the building of which
was contemporaneous with the erection of Fort Carillon. This mill undoubt-
edly furnished planks for the different constructions of that period between
Crown Point and Lake George. This mill was destroyed during the war.
For the site of what was known as the old " King's saw-mill " erected soon
after the close of the first war (1763) a reservation of land was made by the
crown, beginning, according to the deeds, " One chain above the High Falls,"
at Ticonderoga ; the land reserved was all on the south side of the outlet at
the south end of the Lower Falls. The irons for this mill were brought from
England. Samuel Deall erected mills some years later on the opposite side of
the stream. The reservation of crown lands, extended along the south shore of
the creek to the long bridge (the ruins of which could be seen twenty years
ago) where the military road from Crown Point and Ticonderoga to Fort George
crossed the outlet. This then important spot lies exposed immediately under
the old French lines on the east. Mount Hope on the west and Mount Defiance
on the south. A broad road, most of which is now in the public highway, was
cut through the forest from this bridge one mile to the head of the rapids at
the place of embarkation on the eastern shore of Lake George. Here fifteen
acres of ground were reserved by the crown for the erection of a block-house,
used as a place of storage, a hotel, dwelling house and as a place of winter
quarters and repairs for the ferry boats on the lake. After the Revolution,
however. General Schuyler, who had been appointed by the Legislature to
make a report of all the lands reserved for military purposes in the State, made
no mention of these lots along the creek and at the rapids, merely presenting-
them as unlocated lands, left out of all deeds and grants and belonging to n»
one. He then influenced the land office, of which- he was a member, to make
them over to himself by special grant ; in this grant he laid claim to the terri-
tory at the King's saw-mill, the military road, the reservation at the landing,
and, what was of vastly more importance, to all the land undc7' the creek.
Among the British officers who received grants of land from the crown,
John Stoughton, Richard Killett and John Kennedy secured possessions " in
the county of Albany in the province of New York between Ticonderoga and
Crown Point," " (in pursuance, of Our Royal Proclamation of the Seventh Day
Town of Ticonderoga. 383
of October, in the Third Year of our Reign) at Our Fort, in Our City of New
York," August 7th, 1864. These old parchment letters patent of " George
the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Brittain, France and England, King,
Defender of the Faith," etc., from which we quote, are queer documents —
brown, blackened and mouldy, and bearing the great wax seal of the prov-
ince of New York stamped with the British arms and figures of aborigines
kneeling to the king with furs and game, a seal some three inches in diam-
eter. " All mines of Gold and Silver, and also all White or other Sort of Pine
Trees fit for Masts of the. Growth of Twenty-four Inches Diameter and up-
wards, at Twelve Inches from the Earth," were reserved unto the king and his
successors forever. The grants were to be held for ten years " in free and
common Socage, exempt from all Quit Rent, after the expiration of the said
Ten Years, then Yielding, Rendering and Paying therefor yearly, for every
year thereafter, unto Us, our Heirs and Successors, at our Custom House in
Our City of New' York, unto Our or their Collector, or Receiver General there
for the Time being, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, commonly called Lady Day, the yearly Rent of Two Shillings and Six
pence Sterling for each and every hundred Acres of the above granted Lands."
To " settle as many Families on the Tract of Land as shall amount to one
Family for every Thousand Acres thereof;" " to plant and effectually cultivate
at the least Three Acres for every Fifty Acres of such of the hereby granted
Lands as are capable of Cultivation," both improvements to be made " within
Three Years" from the date of the grant; to abstain from injuring any of the
reserved pine trees without royal license ; to register the grant at the secre-
tary's office and docket the same at the auditor's office in New York, were
conditions " provided always, " which if unperformed annulled the grant. A
line encircling the fort at a distance of fifteen hundred yards from its bastions
embraced the military reservation for the fortress, and is the general starting
point in ,the old deeds, at its intersections with the creek and lake,, for all the
boundaries of the neighboring grants.
The land of John Stoughton, as appears from the old maps, lay in the gen-
eral form of a trapezium bounded by straight lines, of which the four corners
may be roughly stated as the old block-house on Mount Defiance, the white
rocks near Charles Wicker's, Daniel Cook's and Bugby's Point, across the lake.
It lay thus wedged between the mountains, the broad end northward, and ex-
tending from the lower village to Lake George on both sides of the creek,
without including, however. General Schuyler's claim above mentioned and
the land "under the creek." The sudden death of Lieutenant Stoughton, by
drowning in Lake George, left this property to " Mrs. Stoughton and child,"
as appears by Samuel Deall's letters, without any will and in considerable con-
fusion. By 'purchase from the^ hands of this child, after she had become the
wife of Governor Wolcott, of Connecticut, the title of the Rt. Honorable Ed-
384 History of Essex County.
ward Ellice came into existence. Of the legitimacy and consequent heirship
of this child, grave doubts were entertained at one period ; but these were
cleared away and the title firmly established. Mr. Ellice held his lands with
a firm grip and at high prices, as we have already stated, and it was not until
a comparatively recent date that they passed to their present owners or im-
mediate predecessors.
The grant to Roger Kellet, bearing date August 7th, 1764, is thus bounded :
" On the west side of the river of Waters which empty out of Lake George into
Lake Champlain, Beginning at the North West Corner of a Tract of Land lately
granted to Lieutenant John Stoughton, and runs thence North nine degrees
forty-five minutes, East 125 Chains ; then north seventy-seven degrees thirty
minutes East 237 Chains to the aforesaid River or Waters. Then up the stream
thereof as it run to the North East corner of the Tract lately returned for Lieu-
tenant John Kennedy ; then along the line of his Tract North eighty degrees
West 140 Chains and South nine degrees and forty-five minutes West 154
Chains to the North side of the aforesaid River or Waters ; then up along the
said North side of the aforementioned River of Waters as they run to the^above
mentioned tract granted to Lieutenant John Stoughton ; And then along his
line. North fifty-three degrees and forty Minutes, West seventy-one Chains to
the place where this tract began ; Except as much of the said lands as shall be
sufficient for a Public Road, of the Breadth of Six Rods, to be laid out through
this and other Tracts, in the most convenient manner, from the Landing Place
at the North End of Lake George to the Fort at Crown Point."
The tract granted to John Kennedy extended from the lower falls along
the north side of the creek to the fort grounds ; thence across to Lake Cham-
plain and down along its shore, from which his north hne took in a broad flank
of the plateau of the north part of the town in its course to the mountains.
At his death this property came into the hands of " Henry Kennedy, Surgeon
the oldest brother of John Kennedy, gentlemen deceased," who sold it Sep-
tember 26th, 1765, for'' a hundred and fifty pounds sterling to Abraham P.
Lott and Theobaldus Curtenius, " merchants of the city of New York," who
sold the same to Samuel Deall, "merchant," etc., December loth, 1767, for
£ 1 80 lawful money.
Such were the early grants of much of the territory embraced in this town.
While these grants were being awarded William Gilliland and his colony,
which has been clearly described in preceding pages, were making their im-
provements on the Boquet river in the northern part of the county, and other
settlers were taking up or purchasing tracts, in some cases beginning slight
improvements which were to be swept away by the tide of war in the Rev-
olution.
Contemporaneous with Gilliland and in many respects of similar personal
character and aspirations, was Samuel Deall, the wealthy New York merchant,
George D. Clark.
Town of Ticonderoga. 385
whose name we have mentioned as the purchaser of the Kennedy grant. He
thus became the owner as early as 1767, of 5,000 acres between Lakes George
and Champlain. He was endowed with similar energy, broad intelligence,
foresight, business capacity and benevolence which characterized his cotempo-
rary, Gilliland, and entered upon the improvement of his possession with won-
derful zeal, whole-heartedness and beneficent desire to contribute to the gene-
ral development of the region. He was the father of trade, manufactures and
agriculture in Ticonderoga. His memory deserves ample recognition here.
Mrs. Ethelinde Deall, wife of a son of Samuel Deall, was living when Mr.
Cook wrote his pamphlet (1857-58), and gave him access to valuable papers,
letters, etc., bearing upon this first settlement of the town. Among them were
numerous letters from Mr. Deall to Lieutenant Stoughton, who was his part-
ner in trade, and to others in his employ at this point. Some of these letters
are inserted ; they are full of interest as showing the condition of trade, trans-
portation, mill building, and other pioneer affairs. These letters are given
verbatim : —
" New York, May 4th, 1767.
" To Mr. John Stoughton, at Ticonderoga Landing : —
" We was glad to hear you was got safe to your Landing, we often Pitied
Mrs. Stoughton and the young Ladies. I shall first write you Business and
then News. I have agreeable to your desires, got and shall ship on board an
Albany sloop, about Wednesday next, the 7th, at your and my Risk, on acct,
4 casks fine Jamaica Spirits, 2 do Powder sugar, and i do Molasses, and i box
or cask which will contain Captain Morris' box and your clothes, the fish hooks
and a few seeds, all which I hope in God will come safe to you. . . . You
had better send down your own team, as the Load will be heavy. . . Pray
send a careful hand and not trust, to them Dutch Waggoners, as it will be your
Risk as much as mine. . . The Spirits is very fine and high. And you
may add six gallons of w. to each of those casks to bring them down to Com-
mon Rum."
" New York, November 4th, 1767.
" To the same : —
" I have not had time to answer to this day (two or three letters from you),
was prevented by 2 London ships coming in with a large cargo for me, and
since have been twelve days on the Grand Jury — the afternoon I was dis-
missed I got Rum taster and we searched the Town for Spirits, which is very
scarce and high from 5s. to 4s. 6d. I have taken 2 Hhds. of the latter of G.
W. Beekman for cash directly. I don't think it is so high as the first I sent
you, but it is very good and the best in York, we may not get so good as the
first was, and at the price this seven years again. ... I am glad you
have got all your cattle safe home and that the sheep came to so good a mar-
ket, hope that the next will do the same."
25
386 History of Essex County.
•• New York, December 28th, 1767.
" To Mrs. Ruth Stoughton : —
" Yesterday I rec'd your melancholy acct. of Poor Mr. Stoughton's death
(in Lake George, where his boats and goods sunk.) You may depend on the
Strictest Honor and Justice, on my part in your unhappy situation, and all the
advice and assistance in my power for you and your dear child. . . . Mr.
Stoughton and I am not only jointly concerned in the goods I have sent up as
such but in the Purchase of some Lands also. ... I am surprised Mr.
Stoughton never informed you of the agreement we made of being jointly
concerned in the sale of the goods sent up by his order and the Risk of Loss or
Damage of these goods coming up. . . I had promised myself much pleas-
ure of spending next summer in your neighborhood to build a new Saw Mill.
I have bought all the land between the King's Saw Mill and the Fort Land.
I Beg the Shingles, the Boards and the Timber that is cut for me, may be
taken care of till I come, as likewise my Mare."
"New York, January 9th, 1768.
" To Mrs. Ruth Stoughton at the carrying-place, at Ticonderoga Landing : —
" I hope you do not think of leaving the Landing or Neglect your improve-
ments as I intend if please God to be up next Spring to begin building a Saw
Mill and other improvements which will be to the advantage of both yours and
my land. I have the land from the Fort to the Mountains."
'■New York, December 23d, 1768.
" To Mr. John Jones, at Fort George : —
" I hope your Team will be able to bring up all my goods that is now at
Albany, as I think your Man Abel is very Honest and careful. The Mill
Stones is very heavy — they will require strength and Great Care in the Car-
riage of them, the best way to carry them safe will be to lay them on a good
Bed of Hay or Straw on the Sled, or otherwise they may Break and that will
be a great Loss."
"New York, December 29th, 1768.
" To Captain John F. Pruyn, at Albany : —
(Ordering the boat afterwards used on Lake George and made the subject
of many careful directions to his hands) " to be made. Beg you will have her
made of the best Materials and neat and make her with a Rudder to steer her
with, instead of steering her with an Oar, let her l]ave Seats in the Stern for
Passengers to set on, and 4 Good Oars, tell the Builder to give her a Little Raise
in the Head and Stern, she will look the better for it and will keep out the
water better if it Blows hard."
"New York, January i6th, 1769.
" To Fox and Huntington, at the saw mills near Ticonderoga : —
" I beg you will let me know on what Terms Mr. Fox you will take care
of my " petty-auger," [see succeeding note] and Battoes on Lake George next
Town of Ticonderoga. 387
summer, to live in the Block House at the landing and keep Tavern, and Mr.
Huntington you Assist at Building my Mills or anything Else I shall have oc-
casion to Employ you about. ... I think I ordered the shingles to be
cut 2 feet long, 18 inches will be too short. I was in hopes I should have seen
one or both of you at York with a load of Venison before this. Beg my com-
pliments to Mrs. Fox and all Friends, &c,"
All of these various enterprises were vigorously and enthusiastically prose-
cuted. Fox & Huntington cut timber during the winter for Mr. Deall ; Sam-
uel Adams was to draw it in for the mills ; James Sparding, with their assist-
ance and that of Mr. Jones, of Fort George, were to " get the petty-auger^
afloat and rig out her cordage and sails early in the next spring." In May in
which Mr. Deall was to be at Fort George " with his team all complete for
use," the " petty-auger" was to traverse the lake "if any freight offers worth
going over;" and, if Mr. Fox and family "found it more convenient, " they
were to move into "the Block house at the Landing to the two Rooms at the
North End up Stairs till I come to fix it otherwise;" but in March, 1769, Mr.
Deall writes to John Jones of Fort George : " I think I shall be obliged to de-
fer my Mills for this Summer; by what I can learn of Mr. Mackintosh, he is
very angry with Fox (for a debt of ten pounds). I don't think I shall be able
to get up my Mill-Stones this Winter, would not have them up in a Wagon
by no means;" also he sends "walnuts to be put into earth till spring, then
to plant out; at the same time I sent Peach Stones &c., to Mr. Fox, should be
glad if you could send him the Walnuts and order him to dig the ground where
Mr. Stoughton's Hay Rick stood and sow them all there as soon as he can."
Whether the numerous walnut trees that afterwards covered this region were
the result of this early work of Mr. Deall was not known.
In reply to Mr. Jones's communication about encroachments upon his land,
under date of March 30th, 1769, he speaks of his lands and purposes thus
definitely: — >,
" I am much obliged to you for your kind information. The Gentleman's
Power is not so extensive as he imagines. Be assured he has no Power fur-
ther than fifteen Hundred yards from the Fort, and from that between the two
Waters I have Five Thousand Acres of Land that no man Living has any
Rights to but myself That other Gentleman knows it very well tho' he
deceives his Friends. I am sorry to be dissappointed this Summer of Build-
ing my Mills but hope next to compleat them."
Mr. Huntington was engaged to build the saw and grist-mill in August,
1 Mr. Cook's rendering of this word as given in Mr. Deall's spelling, is "petty auger." We find
William Gilliland speaking in his elaborate journal of " periaugres " upon which some of his freighting
was done. It is not improbable that this word is a corruption of the Indian word " piragua," or "perriau-
ger," whence is derived; pirogue, defined by Webster as a canoe formed of the trunk of a tree; or two ca-
noes united ; or anarrow ferry boat carrying two masts and a lee-board. Deall's MSS., as Mr. Cook as-
sures us, were not always correct in spelling.
388 History of Essex County.
1769, "provided you will engage to finish them in the most workmanlike
manner, which is my full intent to have done." Mr. Deall then adds: —
" I cant spare but one Acre of the Clear Meadow next to the Mill, to Run
up from the Mill Dam to the Road that crosses from the Clear Land Down to
the great Swamp that the Army made to go to the Breast Work, and you may
Clear and work as much of the Land as you please between that Road and the
River."
On the 26th of October, 1769, he wrote to John Sparding as follows : —
" You give me pleasure to hear you are going to clear some land for Wheat
over the Bridge, as I hope Mr. Huntington will have the Mills ready to grind
it. I hope you and every one will do all they can to forward so useful an un-
dertaking. I am in some Hopes I shall see you all next Summer and I hope in
God I shall find you all friends and trying to serve each other."
Owing to the sickness of Mr. Huntington, the saw-mill was not finished
until the winter of 1771 and the grist-mill till about the summer of 1772.
This wise and energetic land owner was not long to enjoy his labors and
their increasing benefits. He died in New York and his family returned to
England during the Revolution, leaving their possessions in the Ticonderoga
forests to the ravages of war and the slower but more certain dilapidations of
time. The end of Mr. Deall's career was far less mournful than that of his
contemporary, Gilliland, but their pioneer labors and hardships were alike with-
out permanent benefits to themselves. Too often the pioneer sows for others
to reap. Deall was an inveterate loyalist, firm and outspoken against the
American rebels ; but it may not be doubted that he was governed by his
earnest convictions of what was right and politic.
While the improvements above described were in progress, the old fort at
Ticonderoga, garrisoned by a force of lazy British, was falling out of repair.
Letters accompanying boxes of "spirits, " and "sushong tea, " sent to the order
of the commandants of Carillon and Crown Point, are among the interesting
revelations of the state of society prevailing in the fort in those quiet days from
1763 to the Revolution. Mr. Deall mentions a white heifer calf that was
roaming about the fort grounds, which he bought at what he considered a
low price. Francis Arthur was a relative of Mr. Deall and was sent to over-
see his mills. He often dined with Captain la Place, whence, although a
strict temperance man, he found it nearly impossible to get away .lober. The
captain lived high, one of the delicacies of his table being "rattle-snake soup,"
for the production of which he paid twenty-five cents apiece for the reptiles.
It was during this period, also, that the men of Vermont were so bitterly op-
posing the Legislature of New York in its action relative to " the New Hamp-
shire grants, " proceedings already described in these pages.
It has generally been assumed that the settlement of this town began at
the close of the Revolution ; but the reader has conclusively learned the con-
Town of Ticonderoga. 389
trary. With the end of that heroic struggle, which left nearly or quite all of
the first efforts at settlement along Lake Champlain in desolation, pioneers
began to come into the beautiful region which many who had served in the
army had seen and, we may assume, described to their friends and relatives.
The western shores of the lake were, however, looked upon by many as a
region almost without the pale of civilization ; a fact due, probably, more to
its rugged character than to any other cause.
Among the pioneers who laid the foundations of settlement and improve-
ment in this vicinity, after the Revolution, were John Kirby, Judge Charles
Hay, George and Alexander Tremble (or Trimble, as the name is now com-
monly spelled), Gideon Shattuck, Abner Belden, Judge Kellog, Samuel Cook,
and others, who co-operated with Governors George Clinton and John Jay in
developing this town and promoting its rapid and permanent occupation. Let
us glance briefly at the settlements made by these and other pioneers. Among
the points jutting into the lake to the northward of Fort Ticonderoga was one
known in former years as Kirby's Point. Here John Kirby dwelt previous to
the Revolution. He was in the service and his family were often left alone
while he was stationed at Fort George. While on a mission from the head of
Lake George to Saratoga, on one occasion, he violated his trust and started to
visit his family ; but was captured by the Indians and violently maltreated.
He was rescued by Captain Fraser and sent to St. Johns, and Carleton came
and took his family from the point in bateaux, and sent them to Canada after
the beginning of the Revolution. He recovered a considerable sum from the
British government for damages to his property during the war, and returned
to his possession in 1792. He was probably the first settler in the north part
of the town, though Mr. Munroe and Mr. Thompson located farther back soon
after. Mr. Kirby became a prominent citizen, was justice of the peace for
thirty years, and conducted a large business.
At the beginning of the Revolution there lived in Montreal Charles Hay,
a wealthy merchant. In common with many others, he was ordered by the
British king to take up arms against the " Rebels," or quit the country and
leave his property for confiscation. He was offered any commission he might
choose and his wife added the following counsel : " Go, take up arms and save
your home and property and life perhaps. You can shoot over their heads or
the other way, if brought to battle." The reply was, "I make no false pre-
tensions ; the cause of the colonists is just, and I shall not prove false to it,
though I lose all." This resolution governed his conduct. Letters written to
his brother, Udney Hay, later on a colonel on St. Clair's staff, were afterward
intercepted and testimony thus obtained which led to the confiscation of his
property, and he was thrown into prison and held three years. The term
expired, he was permitted to return to his unsafe and impoverished home. But
he began suit before the Queen's Bench for false imprisonment, and his wife,
390 History of Essex County.
who had witnessed the destruction of their property in the streets of Montreal,
was forced to cross the ocean three times to testify in the case, which resulted
in the award of damages barely sufficient to cover her expenses. Mr. Hay left
Canada at about the close of the Revolution, thus finally sacrificing all claim
to his property. He went to Poughkeepsie, where he remained three years,
and then removed to Fort George, at the head of Lake George. During his
residence of two years here, he conducted what was known as the old " King's
store," near the present landing from Champlain at Ticonderoga. A Mr.
Nesbit was his clerk in charge of this store. Judge Hay sent forward to him
cattle, implements, and grain, with which to inaugurate work on a farm, and a
large cargo of merchandise for the store. The infamous employee sold the
entire property, took the proceeds and crossed to the Vermont shore, where
he enjoyed (?) his ill-gotten gains in defiance of law. The old store was then
occupied by Judge Hay and his family. Mr. Hay was made a judge
soon after his arrival, which honorable position he held until his death. He
opened a hotel in the old King's store, where passengers to and from Vermont
and elsewhere found good accommodations for that period. It was at Judge
Hay's house that the elections of Crown Point, then embracing Ticonderoga,
Moriah, Westport, Elizabethtown, Schroon, Minerva, Newcomb, North Hud-
son, and a part of Keene, were held. The first town meeting of this immense
town was held in December, 1788. The town business was transacted, and
religious and all public meetings held there for a period. Mr. Cook says :
" The old King's store stood until a few years ago (1857-8) ; so low-roofed as
to almost touch the ground on the upper side, and but one story on the lower
side, where boats came up to a stoop built to receive provisions. It was laid
out in large apartments, and in every way an eulogy upon the mortar and
skill of the French builders, who erected it in 1755, with Fort Carillon." Mrs.
Joseph Weed, now living at Ticonderoga, Mrs. Jane Hair and Mrs. E. B.
Coville are granddaughters of Judge Hay.
George Tremble obtained possession of the site of the mills of Samuel Deall
through the before- mentioned location of General Schuyler, and had a saw
and grist-mill there as early as 1792. He was the first man to establish busi-
ness at the Lower Village after the Revolution ; he purchased all the wheat
that was sold in the vicinity ; shipped flour to market and lumber to the north
and south, and was a man of energy and business ability, accumulating a
competence. He was justice of the peace several years. The Legislature
eventually restored the mill property to the heirs of Samuel Deall. After the
death of George Tremble, his brother Alexander began law proceedings to
recover the property. He died about 1818. "Tremble Mountain" takes
its name from these pioneers, and their descendants are among the worthy
citizens of Crown Point.
Isaac Kellog lived on the east shore of the rapids at the outlet of Lake
Town of Ticonderoga. 391
George, and was a man of broad education and excellent natural ability; he
represented his district several years in the State Legislature. He was taken
when a boy by the Indians and was fond of crediting many of his habits, par-
ticularly his worst ones, to their example. He is said to have resembled
George Washington in personal appearance, and was the ablest man of the
early settlers. His family passed many of their winters in Albany, but at
their home here they seemed to have none of the luxuries of civilization.
Mrs. Deall told Mr. Cook that the last time she called on Mrs. Kellog their
house was so poor that blankets were hung up to keep out the cold. " Yet
this woman was the one who tied an Indian to her bed-post with a bark rope
for his insolence, and left him there all night to be jeered at by his com-
panions, and who was noted for a heart and hand ever open to the poor."
They had a son drowned, and are without descendants.
Gideon Shattuck came to the town in 1793, across the rapids around
Rogers's Rock, through Cook's Bay and into the southern end of Trout broolj
valley. He became a hunter of local fame and used to say that he had seen
the time when he could sink a canoe in Lake George in six hours' fishing.
Descendants of this pioneer are now among the prominent inhabitants of
the town.
Elisha Belden settled about the same time with Mr. Shattuck and near him.
He was also a hunter of note. Mr. Cook wrote of this pioneer : " Father
Elisha was famous for hunting rattlesnakes, which he sent from the rattle-
snakes' den near Rogers's Rock, as curiosities to various parts. The stories of
his captures of the reptile with a crotched stick, and of his peculiar power
over them, are no less wonderful than well authenticated. On one of his trips
to the den, on a Sabbath afternoon, he was badly bitten, but he said ' it was
because the varmints did not know him, as he was dressed up and had on
white stockings — they thought he was Judge Kellog.' At last, going out one
day alone to fill a basket with this dangerous game, the old man did not
return. When found, he was sitting upon the rocks, leaning back, frightfully
swollen and blackened with poison — dead. A snake, cut to pieces with his
jack-knife, lay by his side, with fragments of the flesh, thought to be a remedy
for the poison, which he had applied to the bite beneath his arm, to which, it
is supposed, the chafing of his side against the cover of the basket as he car-
ried it, had let out the heads of the reptiles. It was said, as before, that a
change of clothes he had lately made put it beyond the wisdom of the rattle-
snakes to recognize him, and hence his power over them was lost ; but a
better explanation was a half empty whisky bottle found near the spot, whose
contents had so fatally palsied the truly remarkable courage and skill of the
old hunter." No descendants are now living in this section. The mother of
James and John Ramsay was a Belden.
Samuel Cook was born in New Milford, Conn. After the Revolution he
392 History of Essex County.
emigrated to Ticonderoga and made the first clearing by the "cold spring''
north of the Gallows gate back of the Lower Village. He settled there in
1796. He was a forage- master in the army of the Revolution. He became
a prominent farmer and introduced improvements in the early methods of
agriculture and better breeds of stock. He was well known as having more
horses and cattle than any of the other pioneers at that time. Friend's Point,
so called, just over the county line on Lake George, to which Mr. Cook after-
ward removed, was covered with conflicting titles. Mr. Cook purchased his
title in good faith from a Mr. Lester and wife who had settled there and built
temporary improvements. Some time afterward, it is said, brothers of Lester
came on from New York to claim the title as legal heirs, but they found Sam-
uel Cook standing in the door of the cabin with a cocked musket, prepared to
defend his home against all comers ; they failed to take immediate possession
of the premises and were no more successful in subsequent legal proceedings.
Mr. Cook is remembered as a man of great energy, practical common sense,
and generous impulses ; although he occasionally, in common with almost
everybody at that time, indulged too freely in liquor, when he was more or
less pugnacious and prodigal of his money.
One of Samuel Cook's sons, who much resembled him in traits of character,
was Warner Cook, a prominent citizen with large interests in the saw-mills
and farms of the Lord Howe Brook valley.
William H. Cook, a son of Warner Cook, died at his home in Lord Howe
Brook valley on the 19th of March, 1885. He was in many respects one of
the leading citizens of the town. An obituary published at the time of his
death says, among other tributes to his memory : —
" Mr. Cook was never a wealthy man, as the world counts wealth, though
never a poor man. First and last, he expended large sums of money on the
education of his son (the Rev. Joseph Cook, of Boston). His plan for a thor-
ough education included not only academy, college and professional schools,
but foreign travel. Through all these he insisted that his son should go. Be-
sides theology he always wanted his son to study law for at least a year or
two, and also medicine. •
" His love of reading was not stimulated by companionship with educated
men, nor by the necessity of teaching others. He read for the purpose of
improving mind and heart and gratifying both. He was always physically
industrious in a remarkable degree, but, coming in from work he often gave
his evenings to solid reading.
" Though never connected with politics or public life, beyond a town or
county office, his interest in national politics was always strong and eager.
Webster and Clay, Seward and Sumner were his favorite statesmen and Hor-
ace Greeley his favorite editor.
" He had an intense love of nature. The sublime and beautiful moved him
Warner Cook.
Town of Ticonderoga. 393
profoundly. He would lie down on the grass and look at the approaching
summer thunder shower, studying the lightnings and the roll of the clouds
until the rain fell in his face. He selected a site at the top of Rogers's rock,
with a commanding outlook, as a fit place for a summer-house, and was the
first to suggest the building of a study and small observatory there.
" His enthusiasm for reform was so marked a feature of his character that
his son affirms that his father was his chief teacher in Anti-Slavery, Anti-Dram
shop and Anti-Mormon sentiment. Mr. Cook was early and always opposed
to slavery. Intemperance and the liquor traffic were his abhorrence. He was
always profoundly moved by the wrongs of workingmen in the conflicts of
labor with capital.
" Mr. Cook became a member of the Baptist Church when he was about
forty-five years of age. The preaching which moved him most at the time
was that of the Rev. William Grant, of Whitehall, for whose character and pub-
He work he had high respect. He was baptized by the Rev. Stephen Wright,
and was for some years one of the officers of the Baptist Church in Ticon-
deroga.
" He called himself a very good Methodist and a fairly sound Congrega-
tionalist or Presbyterian, while his reverence for the book of ' Common Prayer '
allied him to the Episcopalians. He cared little for forms, ceremonies and
badges of sect ; but everything for the essentially biblical and evangelical
spirit in public worship and Christian doctrine.
" He was born September 2d, 1812 ; so was seventy-two years and six
months of age when, on March 19th, at a quarter before nine o'clock, his son
repeating Scriptural texts at his bedside, he passed into the world into which
all men haste."
William Cook, a colonel in the War of 1812 and a leading citizen, was an-
other son of Samuel and father of Andrew Jackson Cook, a prominent land-
owner, who was father of Carleton, Rollin L. and Dalthus Cook, who now
represent the family in the county. William Cook, son of Colonel Cook, re-
sides at the family homestead, which is just south of the Essex county line, on
the shore of Lake George.
Among other early settlers in the town the following have been furnished
us by the venerable Benjamin Delano, now living in the village at the age of
eighty-one years : —
Nathan Delano came from Cornwall and settled at the Upper Village. He
was formerly from Massachusetts. His sons were Benjamin, Thomas, Asa and
Milton, all of whom have been residents of the town. Benjamin was born on
the lOth of March, 1804, and is, therefore, ten days older than the town as an
organization. He is father of Clayton H. and Arthur Delano. Thomas is the
father of Frank and Dr. Delano, of Westport.
Isaac Morse settled in the south part of the town, where Jackson Cook
394 History of Essex County.
lives, before 1815 ; and Ebenezer Douglass located adjoining Judge Kellog.
Levi Thompson settled early (by the beginning of the century) in the northern
part of the town. C. H. Delano's wife is his granddaughter. Two families of
Millers located in the north part of the town at an early day. Robert Ham-
mond settled on the lake shore, north of the village road to the lake, and
raised a large family who removed west. Thomas Rogers settled just south
of Hammond ; he has a son of the same name now Hving in the town. James
Tefft located about 1813 in the town. Dr. J. W. H. Tefift, of Ticonderoga, is
a son. Benjamin Burt settled in the town at the " Street " early in the century
and built the first tannery here in 1806. He was grandfather of Prentiss and
Charles Burt, now living in the town. John Porter was an early settler, a
blacksmith, and Levi Cole, at the Upper Village, had a shop as early as 1797 ;
his son Samuel followed him in the same business. Captain Elijah Bailey was
one of the very early settlers at the Upper Village, where he hved in 1797.
Liberty Newton came here at the beginning of the century and built a forge
at the Upper Falls about 1801 ; there was a forge at that point a year or two
earlier, built by Mr. Tombleson. John and Timothy Harris were engaged in
mercantile business at the Upper Village in 1813. Joseph Weed came into
the town before 1812, carried on business at the Upper Village up to 1838,
then moved down to the old Weed store at " Weedsville," now a suburb of
Ticonderoga village, and built the brick house near by, which he occupied up
to the time of his death, in i860; he was the most prominent man in the
town for many years in the lumber and mercantile business. Frederick, George
C, Alexander H. and Albert Weed, now of the village, are his sons, and Colo-
nel William E. Calkins, also of the village, is his son-in-law. Abel Potter was
an early settler at the Upper Village, where he kept a hotel in 181 1. Francis
Arthur came here in 1800 and settled near the lake ; he was from Duchess
county and a native of New York city. W. A. G. Arthur and Francis J. are
his sons, and Mrs. John McKown, Mrs. M. L. Royce and Sally Ann Arthur,
now living in the town, are daughters. Two daughters and two sons died
many years ago: Jane, who married William Douglass; Betsey, who married
General Joseph S. Weed (he built and occupied for some years the old Weed
store and brick house near by, above mentioned) ; Richard D., who was a
capable, energetic, active man, prominent in business and public affairs ; Rob-
ert G., a man of pleasing address and good ability, who died in California.
William Wilson came to the town in early years. The venerable Melanc-
thon W. Wilson, still living in the town at tbe age of seventy-nine years, is a
son of William. He has held various local offices and been prominent in the
public affairs of the town.
The names of many other settlers in the town down to recent times will
appear in the course of our description of the different industries ; but those
above given are entitled to much of our admiration and gratitude for the he-
Town of Ticonderoga. 395
roic struggle made by them in subduing the wilderness and firmly establishing
the foundations upon which have since been built up the prosperous commu-
nity. They lived under vastly different conditions from those existing at the
present period. Many of them obtained their land by " squatting " on it;
then they built a rude dwelling, made a little clearing and actually wrung a
portion of their sustenance from among the stumps ; hunted and fished a
good deal ; had a cow or two, if especially favored ; raised a little corn, pota-
toes, and later on some wheat ; brought most of their provisions from Vermont,
when they had anything with which to pay for them ; there were few accessi-
ble markets for any surplus products, but there was little surplus to dispose of
Mr. Cook vividly pictures the times as those when " men scraped their own
axe-helves, made their own ox-yokes by the blazing fire on long winter even-
ings-; and bent their own ox-bows ; and smoothed their own whip- stocks ; and
braided their own whip-lashes ; and put handles to their own jack-knives ; and
peeled their own brooms out of white birch or sweet walnut, or braided them
out of hemlock ; and shaved their own barrel staves;, and hooped their own
beer casks j and sewed up their own harnesses ; and shaped their own horse
shoes ; and run their own bullets ; and tapped their own boots ; and swingled
their own flax ; and hollowed their own wooden dishes ; and ironed their own
ox carts ; and mended their own bob-sleds. And, as the men worked, the
■crackle of the big fore-sticks and back-sticks mingled with the hum of the little
linen wheel, or the large spinning-wheel, or the rattle of the shuttle and
treadles ; for there, too, before the fire, the women picked their own wool and
oarded their own rolls, and spun their own yarn, and drove their own looms,
and made their own cloth and cut their own garments, and did their own mak-
ing and mending entire (and made then not half so much fuss and ado about
it as modern ladies make who have simply to buy the cloth and see it put to-
gether), and dipped their own candles and tried their own soap, and bottomed
their own chairs and braided their own baskets, and wove their own carpets and
quilted their own coverlids, and picked their own geese feathers. These pioneer
women milked their own cows, and tended their own calves and pig pens, and
went a visiting on their own feet, or rode to meeting or weddings on an ox-
sled with a bundle of straw under their feet, and at their backs two hickory
stakes and a log-chain."
In those days neighbor helped neighbor in all tasks that required more
than one pair of hands, and there was a feeling of mutual dependence so strong
that " some who would refuse to pay a note of hand, did not dare stay back
from a logging bee or raising." All hands turned out cheerfully on all such
occasions, and no gathering was considered properly managed where the oft-
•circling jug of rum was absent, and " now and then fiery spirits, men used to
muscular effort and the open air, got ablaze, and a free fight enlivened the
smoking fallow or made the timbers of the raising echo laughter; and by- and-
396 History of Essex County.
by, after the friendly interchange of labor had helped raise the house, clear the
land and secure a livelihood, when death came, the neighbor was borne to his
last home, not in a hired hearse, but upon the shoulders of strong-armed friends,
somewhat lacking in culture, maybe, but not in heart or mind." The reader
has already found a vivid description of life in those old days, in an early chap-
ter of this work as related by a former lady, Mrs. Adolphus Sheldon, who
came into this vicinity in 1797.
Early Schools and Religious Meetings. — The early school teachers on the
western shore of Lake Champlain came mostly from Vermont or still farther
east. Examinations into the qualifications of a teacher in pioneer days were
not made upon the elaborate systems of the present day ; if a teacher could
impart a reasonable knowledge of reading and writing, and had the muscle to
keep order, it was commonly deemed sufficient, though many were better qual-
ified. The first school-house in Ticonderoga probably stood a little south-west
of the " gallows gate," where so many of Abercrombie's men fell before the fire
of the French lines. A Mr. Hethington is said to have been the first teacher.
Judge Hay found him at Poughkeepsie, put him in business, but he was dis-
sipated and so he put him in school! A black girl from Samuel Deall's family
was among the early pupils, but it is related that the little ones of 1 800 would
not sit on the same seat with her ; so she was sent home. Of the early schools
Mrs. Deborah Cook, for many years a teacher, said to Mr. Joseph Cook in
1857 (it was in 1805 that Mr. Rich, the old hunter, went over to Shoreham
after her) : " I had only an old lame horse, and was obliged to bring my things
in a pillow-bier, tied on behind. They all laughed at me at my starting-place,
as I rode off, for coming to such a place as Toughertown. I was glad when I
got out of sight. My gallant trustee left me to find my "way alone down to
Shoreham ferry. After we landed on York side I could no more give you a
description of our ride than I could take you back to it — but he went by the
side of my horse and helped me along. It was nothing but mud and woods.
A road had been cut out and worked some, to be sure, but such a road ! Old
logs to tumble over, long limbs to rake you off the horse, dripping leaves,
rocks, slough holes, mire and mud, mud, mud, and my old lame horse scarcely
able to carry my pillow-bier, half staggering with my weight. There was not
much of anything at the lower village. At the upper village there was a little
more, and out through Trout brook valley, George Cook, Handy and Rich
had made claims. Much heavy timber we rode under, beech and maple
mostly, some pine on flats and hills ; no underbrush and a great many wind-
falls. Went on by the school-house to the Rowley place ; all woods there,
and then on to Wilson Spencer's log house and orchard, and there rested for
the night — (some people from Vermont), and boarded there that summer.
We used to take a big red dog to protect the children going to school through
the woods in the morning. My education, was not very extensive; I knew a
Town of Ticonderoga. 397
little of grammar and geography, but taught them very little, nor did I have
any scholar, even in the winter school, in arithmetic. To read, spell and write
was all they thought necessary. My wages were $1.25 a week, a great price
in those days ; no one hardly could get more than six or eight shillings. Pa-
rents came in often ati my school, and once we had a party for the scholars,
with tea. We always gave presents or some trifle on the last day of school.
I had pieces learned and spoken • by boys and girls, too, and now and then we
had a regular exhibition." A more graphic account of educational advan-
tages and experiences in pioneer days has seldom been written than this.
The early school-houses, built between 1790 and 1800, were warmed by
great open fire-places. The furniture was made up of a chair for the teacher
and rude benches, commonly made by boring holes in slabs and inserting legs
on the rounded side, the children sitting on the flat side. The structures
themselves were mostly of logs, and it was not unusual to hear the howling of
wolves while the teacher called the roll at dusk before closing school. With
the growth of the town and the decay of these old buildings, a slightly better
class of school-houses took their places, with considerable improvement in the
interiors; but still very far from comfortable. Many a resident of the town
acquired such education as has carried him through a successful career under
circumstances and amid surroundings that were scarcely less than cruel. As
early as 1850 most of these rude school-houses fell into disuse, and the neat
and comfortable structures that are now scattered thickly about the town took
their places.
The worship of the Creator in some public form has always accompanied
the first steps of the pioneer into new regions. If there was no one to preach
the Word, the few who could get together, strong in the faith, would meet in a
school-house or oftener in a settler's dwelling and offer up the homage to God
that was just as welcome as if it rose from the grandest cathedral. A pioneer
said on this topic to Mr. Cook: "When we came here in 1 800-9, there was
no man to care for our souls. We came, most of us, from New England. We
had been trained to love the Bible and to uphold the church and ministry
which expound the Word of God as the law of life. Pious men were here, but
they were few, separated, and without organization, leader, or instructor.
Some of us used to cross the lake to Shoreham and other towns in Vermont to
receive the instruction and consolation of religious exercises. Now and then
a minister from Vermont preached for us at some neighbor's dwelling or in a
school-house. We had traveling missionaries, too, at times, who came on
horse-back or more often on foot, to explain the book of truth to the people.
The absence of regular religious instruction and worship was felt in the com-
munity by the greater prevalence of a covetous spirit, want of refinement, un-
kindness between neighbors, litigation, and private immorality. Not that we
were worse than other towns deprived of religious priviliges, for these evils
398 History of Essex County.
arise everywhere where the Bible is not studied and obeyed. We had what
were called ' reading meetings, ' in which a deacon or some active member of
the church led the exercises and read a printed sermon. Usually these were
respectably attended, and we remember seasons when much good was done to
wavering brethren within, and to immortal souls without, yet unresolved in
duty. Some of the good men and women with whom we sung and prayed
have gone down to the grave — and we are going after them — but we re-
member the precious times of old when we sat together, and the voice of
praise, thanksgiving, or supplication, went up from the same seats out of all our
hearts, even to those seats in heaven where we hope to sit with them again, in
the church triumphant! Many without pastors lived holy lives and died in
peace. It was between 1815 and 1820 that we began to think of regular min-
istrations of God's Word and of building houses of worship. Large meetings
had been held before in large private houses, in barns, or in the open air."
" I was converted, " says one, " in yonder barn, on that rising hill at the foot of
the mountain." "The first sermon I ever heard which caused me to resolve
to do my duty," says another, "was heard as I stood in a stable and the min-
ister preached from the barn floor to people seated on slab-benches, blanketed
and stayed up in the bay, stable, granary, and lofts." " I was baptized in a
barn ; " " I in such a neighbor's house ; " "I where the willows bend over such a
flowing stream ; " " I through a square hole cut in the ice of Lake Horicon."
"We remember a few families in this period who maintained family worship,
few who thoroughly understood their Bibles or the practical duties of life; for
all were sheep without a shepherd. And if we had preaching it was not always
instructive, so enlightened, or so arousing, as homely, practical, and adapted
to common minds. It led onward, perhaps, but not much upward. Our ex-
horters came, not from the seminary and the study, but from the plow, the
axe, and from practical life; whereas they ought to have come, not from one
of these means of preparation, but from all of them harmonized and combined.
Brief, energetic, unstudied, but powerful words were uttered then as now by
practical men, illiterate, yet earnest and full of piety. We blessed God that
though unlearned and ignorant of many things, we could yet know the path
of duty, of joy, and of eternal life. We had little money to pay for the gospel,
but it was borne to us without price upon the wings of human benevolence,
and of providential surroundings. Yet without actual organization and effort
we had difficulty in maintaining our own strength, and failed to exert much
positive influence for the purification and elevation of society."
The complete history of the church societies of the town will be found a
few pages further on.
The Lumber Interest. — The chief occupation of the inhabitants of this town
for many years was lumbering. This region was heavily timbered, .and the
town was the natural outlet for the lumber product of an extensive territory
Town of Ticonderoga. 399
outside. For many miles on both sides of Lake George the heavy primeval
forest stood, awaiting the lumberman's axe, while in the direction of Schroon
were Lake Pharaoh, Put's creek, Pyramid pond, Paradox lake. Alder brook.
Alder meadow. Crane pond. Long pond and Brant lake, from all of which
localities timber came to and through Ticonderoga. For an extended period
more lumber was shipped from this point than at any other on the lake.
Much of the timber was of valuable pine, and the unparalleled water power
turned the wheels of scores of saw-mills, which ran night and day until "they
were almost shut out of sight by the fruits of their own labor. Below the
Lower Falls lumber was piled high on both sides of the creek awaiting transpor-
tation over the great highway, Champlain." In 1857 Mr. Cook said that about
twenty-five saw-mills had existed in the town, and the products of more than
forty came through it for shipment.
This great manufacturing interest and traffic began as early as 18 14, was
continued vigorously until the opening of the Champlain canal, which event
gave it a great impetus. It continued unabated until a little after 1840, after
which it began to diminish. -Its greatest activity was during the years 1834,
'35 and '36. Joseph Weed came to Ticonderoga, as before stated, in 1812.
He was a man of energy and great business capacity ; was the first postmaster
in the town, and held other positions of trust. His name is "more prominently
connected with the lumber business of the town than that of any other man.
He settled first at the Upper Falls (then locally known as Alexandria village).
He had control at one period of about a score of saw-mills, employed some
thirty teams in summer and about a hundred and fifty in the winter. He
shipped in one year three hundred and forty boat loads of lumber, and was in
all respects the foremost man in the business; he also became connected with the
iron interest of the town. Colonel William E. Calkins, his son-in-law, was in-
terested with him at one time. Others who were prominent in the lumber
trade were John Harris, William and Warner Cook, Russell Bly, Alonzo
Moses, and later, George C. Weed, who has been interested in it for thirty-
five years, and others also.
This interest is now abandoned to a large extent, as it is in other parts of
the county. The magnificent forests are gone. Few men accumulated
wealth in the lumber trade, no matter how extensively they engaged in it; but
it "cleared up the woods, opened commercial highways, set millions of money
moving, and prepared the rural districts for the agricultural period." In 1858,
according to Mr. Cook, the manufacture of lumber in the town ambunted to
about 300,000 pieces in the year, of which about half was pine, and the re-
mainder hemlock, spruce and hard wood. This amount was mainly cut by
the three mills then remaining at the Upper Falls, the others at that point
having been burned in 1853.
The Iron Interest. — The first forge in town was started at the upper falls as
400 History of Essex County.
early as the year 1 8oo, by the father of Beers Tombleson, and Liberty Newton
built one there in about the next year ; a third one followed soon after. The
ore used in these early forges came from the Port Henry vicinity and was
brought down the lake. The establishment of the forges was merely an enter-
prise engaged in as promising profit in the manufacture, through the use of a
portion of the valuable water-power. " A good many dabbled in the forge
business," says Mr. Cook, "but with little profit. Perhaps Joseph Weed and
George Grant did most and best. In 1814 Mr. Weed began a prosperous
business with two fires and continued it two years. Iron was very high during
the war of that period. The fire on the north side and the lower one at the
upper falls were run by Mr. Grant quite prosperously until about 1835. Trout
brook valley heard the heavy beat of the forge hammer from 1848 to 1850, in
the establishment of Asa P. Delano. It had heard the grinding of stones, the
shaking of selves, the filing of saws and the rattle of planks since 1835, 'i^ the
grist-mill and saw-mill built on its excellent water-power by Warner Cook
and prosperously conducted by him and by William H. Cook, his son, up to
1845." These mills long ago disappeared.
Albert Weed opened a deposit of iron ore in the western part of the town
about forty years ago, from which considerable ore was taken ; and the " vine-
yard " bed was opened later, but found to be fatally impregnated with sulphur.
Weed & Burleigh opened a vein of magnetic ore on Mt. Defiance about 1 870
and sunk a shaft ; but the town cannot be said to have developed, as yet, iron
ore that promises very profitable mining operations.
Near the close of the last war (1864-65) the Horicon Iron Company was
organized in New York city, mainly by stockholders of the American Graphite
Company. Col. Wm. E. Calkins happened to be in the city in March, 1864,
and was sought by the prominent officers of the companies to act as general
superintendent of the two companies, R. H. Manning being president of each
company. Terms agreed upon, he returned and commenced active work in
the responsible position on the 14th day of April following, and so continued
for about two years ; having the valuable assistance of William Hooper, in
the working and oversight of the graphite mill, and of Capt. Arnold Hulet as
overseer of " wood jobs," up Lake George, and under his direction.
The forge of six fires was built — one of the most substantial structures of
the kind in the county, and still standing near the lower falls. Ore from local
deposits was used for a time, and then that mined at Long Pond ; the trans-
portation of the latter cost so much as to render its use unprofitable. Various
ores were then used during the few years that the forge run ; it has been idle
since. The company owned large tracts of woodland on the shores of Lake
George, whence wood was transported on barges towed by a tug to the foot
of that lake, where it was burnt into charcoal in five large kilns ; this product
was then carted over the two miles' distance to the forge. The product of the
William Henky Cook.
Town of Ticonderoga. 401
works in 1865 was about four hundred and fifty tons, and something less the
following year.
A "pocket " furnace was built at the lower falls in 1832 by John Porter &
Son, who continued it until 1840, at considerable financial loss, but at great
gain in experience. In the last named year they built a cupola furnace and
better success immediately followed. Here various kinds of stoves, plows and
machinery were cast and made. It was burned in 185 i ; but was immediately
rebuilt. This establishment passed into possession of Clark, Strain & Hooper,
the firm now running it being William Hooper & Co. (D. C. Bascom).
General machine work and foundry business is carried on. A machine shop
was established in the town as early as 1838 by a Mr. McHerd ; he built a
shop at the Lower Village in 1852 and for some years did a prosperous
business.
The Graphite Industry — In going back to the early history of the dis-
covery and development of the graphite of Ticonderoga, we must be indebted
largely to Mr. Cook's researches in 1857-58. "The sugar-loaf elevation in the
northwestern part of Ticonderoga was originally known as Grassy Hill, from
the pasturage it afforded to cattle before lands were cleared. One afternoon,
about sunset, the story goes, Mrs. Zuba Pearl was driving home her cows
down the slopes of the mountain. One of them slipped and broke, in sliding,
the wet moss from off a sloping rock at a place yet pointed out, and there lay
the shining ore. It was black lead, graphite, plumbago, pure and unmixed.
Such is one account of the discovery of this valuable mineral deposit which
soon gave to Grassy Hill its name of Lead Mountain. Another account is
that it was discovered by William Stewart & Sons ; and another still, which
seems well sustained, that it was first found by Charles Wood about 1815. It
is probable that all these discovered deposits, though in different places.
" Considerable strife took place as to the profits of the discovery of the
lead mines. Charles Wood, as his son Rufus relates, discovered the deposit
while after his cattle, by rapping the moss accidentally with his hatchet. He
carefully put the dirt back in its place and went and made a bargain with
Francis Arthur, owner of the land, to work the lead mine upon reasonable
terms. Two boxes were soon sent south which sold readily at twenty cents a
pound. Any discoveries of fresh deposits were kept as secret as possible.
Rufus Wood relates that he once saw William Stewart and N. Delano going
into the woods, and supposing them to be prospecting for lead, he followed
them. They soon came to a place where they began to put the crowbar mto
use, when, dropping down behind a root, he watched them. They seemed very
cautious and greatly elated. Stewart driving his bar down vigorously and
working it to and fro, asked Delano to come up and look in ; ' Heavens and
earth, Delano, that's nice ! ' ' Yes,' said Delano, whereat with a yell and a
loud laugh Wood leaped from his concealment. 'Zounds! we're gone!'
26
402 History of Essex County.
exclaimed the astonished discoverers, and the spy found himself received with
very little courtesy.
" No one at first understood the art of grinding the graphite. Guy C.
Baldwin was the first to grind it in millstones with iron ore, about 1818. After
its preparation its use was not well understood, stoves to black at that date
being few. About 1830 Mr. Baldwin invented a process of making large
solid black lead pencils, and also a process for making the ever-point pencil
leads. This business he pursued with his three sons for about fifteen years,
under a patent obtained in 1833; their annual trade was from one to three
thousand dollars. W. G. Baldwin continued the business at the Upper Village
until about the breaking out of the Rebellion."
William Stewart and Nathan Delano were the first to mine the graphite to
any considerable extent, and after them Francis Arthur and sons. ApoUus
Skinner, Mr. Stewart's son-in-law, engaged in the business from about 1833 at
the Lower Village. He , sold out to C. P. Ives, who associated with himself
W. A. G. Arthur. They subsequently separated their interests, Mr. Ives
locating at the Upper Village and Mr. Arthur at the Lower. Their goods,
under the name of "Ticonderoga silver lead," acquired an excellent reputation.
Mr. Cook thus described the condition of the lead mines in 1857—8 : "We
had a brisk beat about in the woods, without guide, to find Mr. Arthur's mine.
It is situated near the northeastern base of Lead Mountain, and though opera-
tions are rarely carried on at the mine except in winter, we saw enough to
prove the large extent and value of the deposit. One vein had been mined
to the depth of one hundred and ten feet, the breast of pure ore being from
four to eighteen inches wide and six to eight feet deep, shading off" into mixed
material, between walls of quartz rock. Several other openings have been
made. About 50,000 pounds of pure lead have Seen manufactured from this
mine in some past seasons, the average number of pounds now being about
40,000. Farther up the slope of the mountain and within a few rods of- the
summit, on the southeast side, lie the mines of C. P. Ives. We came away
satisfied that the mountains are by no means the least valuable portions of the
town. In a walk of half a mile across Mr. Ives's premises we passed a dozen
deep veins in lines running nearly north and south, parallel, of purest ore, from
three to eight inches wide, which have been worked at various lengths, some
five, some twenty, some forty and some seventy feet in perpendicular depth.
The deepest cut, now quit on account of water, is of the vein over which the
coviT slipped, when first discovered, and has been worked one hundred feet in
length, over seventy in depth, with a vein of pure graphite ten inches wide,
and when in it last, Mr. Robinson, a miner, obtained three hundred pounds of
pure ore in an hour. Several other openings, one. of a hundred feet hori-
zontally for the most part, have been made for a mixed material yielding one-
fourth pure lead." The above refers to this industry as it existed about i860.
William Hooper.
Town of Ticonderoga. 403
Finally the lead interest of Mr. Arthur was sold to Butler & Clough, of
New York, and it, with the entire control of the other mines, became the prop-
erty of the American Graphite Company, of New York city. The company
sent hither as superintendent, in 1863, William Hooper, 1 a man of experience
in the handling of minerals and ores. Under his supervision a large factory
was built, put in operation, new processes of working the ore adopted, their
principal features being the result of Mr. Hooper's experience or inventive
genius, and a very large business built up, which continues to the present
time. A new mine has been taken on Lake George, four miles west of Hague,
Warren county, from which ore is now transported to the works.
The other industries and mercantile interests of the town will appear in
connection with the history of Ticonderoga village.
Agriculhcre. — The soil of the lower lands of the town, the flats, beds of
brooks and low land generally is a rich alluvial loam ; that on the higher
grounds, the plateau at the north of the town and generally the midway eleva-
tions, is a strong and fertile clay, shading off to lighter soils in places ; while
on the still higher grounds, where the land begins to rise towards the moun-
tains, the soil is a stony, loamy sand. Above these rise the ledges, fit soil for
the oak and pine and affording valuable pasturage. About three-fourths of the
surface is susceptible of cultivation. With the decline of the lumber business,
the inhabitants turned more of their energy to agriculture, and many good
farms have resulted. Wheat was raised on the plateau to a considerable ex-
tent, and a yield of forty-seven bushels to the acre is on record. Hay, oats,
corn and potatoes have been the principal crops. In later years considerable
dairying has been done. Mr. Cook wrote in 1857: "Ticonderoga should be
known chiefly as a wool-growing, stock-raising and horse-breeding town ; and
latterly, the sheep, the cattle and the horses have been of the best kinds."
These statements may, in a general way, especially as relates to horses, be ap-
plied to the present time. Many horses of excellent speed qualities and good
blood have been raised, and many are now owned in the town.
The general agricultural interest of the town was greatly stimulated and
benefited by the organization of the "Farmers' and Mechanics' Fair" in 1857.
This project had been discussed considerably for several years previously, but
was brought into practical shape only in the year named, and largely through
the efforts of C. H. Delano and William E. Calkins. The latter gentleman has
always been associated with every movement looking to the welfare of the
town, since his advent here in 1830, at which time his father removed from
Whitehall ; his name was William Calkins, and he died in 1855 ; he was a law-
yer by profession ; he took a deep interest in the educational, moral and religious
interests of the town. William E. was bred to business pursuits and was either
a merchant or clerk from 1832 to i860; he was also connected with the lum-
1 See biography in later pages.
404 History of Essex County.
ber interest, and subsequently purchased largely of real estate in the village,
which has become valuable. He spent some years in the management of a
farm, but in later years he has found sufficient occupation in the settlement of
estates and other business trusts, which his fellows have placed in his compe-
tent hands. He was town clerk in 1843, 1844 and 1845, and has been super-
visor about fifteen years, nine of which (1873 to 1881) were consecutive, and
was chairman of the board several years, declining the nomination in 1883;
has been inspector of elections, coroner, delegate to State and National con-
vention (1868) and to the judicial convention (1870); served in the militia
(1835 to 1844), whence he derives his title of "Colonel; " was county clerk
from i860 to 1873, and declined further nomination ; was Member of the As-
sembly, 1875 and 1876, and rendered efficient service as member of the War
Committee of the county during the Rebellion. His name, therefore, necessa-
rily appears prominent in detailing the history of the town.
A general call was issued for a meeting to consider the project of organizing
the fair association, and the meeting was held on the 12th of September, 1857.
It was well attended by the representative men of the town, who resolved,
after proper discussion, to drganize " The Farmers' and Mechanics' Associa-
tion of Ticonderoga." William E. Calkins was made chairman of a committee
to report a preamble and regulations, and read in that report as follows : —
" That experience has taught us that much benefit may be derived from
the formation and proper management of town agricultural and mechanical
associations, affording opportunity, as such associations legitimately do, by
bringing the people together, with their animals and products, to compare,
notice and suggest improvements and to interchange opinions, thereby en-
couraging laudable ambition and fostering social and kindly feehngs, all being
mutually useful and joint contributors to rational and mental enjoyment.
" Convinced of the truth of these positions, the undersigned agree to form
themselves into a society to be called the Farmers' and Mechanics' Associa-
tion of Ticonderoga, its object being to promote improvement in agriculture,
horticulture, and rural taste and the mechanic and household arts."
The annual membership fee was fixed at $1.00 and premiums were to be
simple certificates of rank, with numbers. Organization was effected and the
following board of officers elected : President, B. P. Delano ; vice-presidents,
G. D. Clark, W. A. G. Arthur; secretary, William E. Calkins; treasurer,
George Wright ; executive committee, B. F. Frazier, J. McCormick, C. N.
Chilson, A. J. Cook.
The first fair was held on the 15th of October of that year, on the high
grounds afterwards occupied by the academy, on Main street, in front of Will-
iam E. Calkins's residence, and was successful. The entry list showed about
one hundred contributors. Rev. Joseph Cook and C. H. Delano addressed
the assemblage. Many farmers from adjoining towns were present and the
Town of Ticonderoga. 405
occasion was a very gratifying one. Tiie other fairs were held on the same
location, after which they were held on Mount Hope, until the association
ceased to exist, in 1876.
Prominent Public Events. — The inhabitants of Ticonderoga are patriotic
and venerate the historical associations of their town. The existence of this
sentiment has resulted in the celebration of several anniversaries and other
ceremonials calculated to perpetuate some of the historic deeds that have oc-
curred here. The first of these was : —
Ticonderoga! s Centennial. — This event was celebrated in an appropriate
manner on the 25th of July, 1864. The following gentlemen were the com-
mittee in charge of the ceremonies : William E. Calkins, William G. Baldwin,
Clayton H. Delano, Thomas Delano and Hiram R. Field. A salute was fired
from the high ground near Mount Hope at sunrise, and the exercises took
place at the old French lines and on the academy grounds. The procession
marched from the village to the lines in the following order : —
The Ticonderoga band ; Iroquois chief in full costume and war paint ;
French officer on horseback, bearing the French ensign ; English officer, the
same ; pioneer in shirt sleeves, with leather belt, axe, rifle, representing Ticon-
deroga before the Revolution ; American officer on horseback ; school children ;
carriages ; two couples on horseback in dress of the last century ; two couples in
modern riding dress; boy carrying grain to mill on horsebeck; boy driving an
express wagon; farmer in dress of last century, driving an ox cart, his family
seated on hay, as representing the ancient style of attending church; industrial
car containing specimens of the earlier and present industrial processes and pro-
ducts of the town ; poet and orator, clergymen and gentlemen. Colonel Wm. E.
Calkins was chairman of the committee and president of the day. The speaker's
stand was placed on the slope of the old French lines, and tables of collations
near by in a grove. Colonel Calkins introduced the exercises by a very graceful
speech and was followed by Clayton H. Delano, who was the poet ; he read a
very able historical poem. Rev. Joseph Cook then delivered the historical ad-
dress in his customary eloquent manner. Letters were read from many distin-
guished men, toasts read, etc. Rain forced the closing of the ceremonies to be
given in the " Old White Church."
Anniversary of the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. — The most conspicuous
of the public events of the town was the celebration of the anniversary of the
capture of the fort by Ethan Allen, which was carried out on a grand scale on
the lOth day of May, 1875. The leading men of the town gave their best en-
ergies to the proper celebration of the event ; wide publicity was given it, not
only through the press of the entire State, but that of many surrounding States.
The great New York daily papers had correspondents on the ground for sev-
eral days previous to the anniversary, and their columns teemed with accounts
of the stirring deeds of the preceding century, descriptions of the old fort and
4o6 History of Essex County.
surroundings, the busy village, etc. The preparations were inaugurated by the
sending out to the public of the following card : —
" CARD.
" Friends — Owing to our very disastrous fire, which reduced to ashes almost
the entire business portion of our village, retarding business pursuits and making
us feel poor, our Centennial Committee have found it wholly impracticable and
impossible to carry out the original programme proposed to commemorate the
capture of the fort by Ethan Allen. But there has been expressed, at home
and abroad, such a desire to commemorate the day, that we, members of Post
Alfred Weed, G. A. R., feel it our duty to take the matter in hand, present a
simple programme, welcoming all comrades and guests, and assist to the best of
our ability in making the exercises of the day pleasing to all who may attend.
" Taking into consideration our limited means and the short time in which
to make arrangements we can only prepare tables and ask you to join us in a
grand union picnic.
" All are hereby invited to attend the one hundredth anniversary of the
capture of Fort Ticonderoga, May loth, 1775, by Ethan Allen and his Green
Mountain Boys.
" Following the echo of ' the shot that was heard around the world ' went
out a voice from Ticonderoga, just 100 years ago on the day we celebrate,
which carried terror to the hearts of the foes of our forefathers. Let us all do
honor to the memory of that voice. Very Respectfully,
Post Alfred Weed, G. A. R.
"Ticonderoga, N. Y., April 26th, 1875."
The following is the programme : —
" In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress."
1775 Ethan Allen 1875
; centennial
at
TICONDEROGA,
Monday, May loth, 1875,
commemorating the capture of the fort.
ORDER OF exercises.
FORENOON.
Sunrise — Reveille — One hundred guns.
9 to 10 o'clocli — Reception of invited guests by Post Alfred
Weed.
1 1 o'clock — Consolidation of organized bodies and review, under
command of General Hammond.
12^ o'clock — Refreshments — picnic.
AFTERNOON.
lyi o'clock — Formation of line — organizations and citizens.
2 o'clock — Procession moves to fort grounds over the route
taken by Ethan Allen, May 10th, 1775, and is drawn up about the
speaker's stand.
2^ o'clock — Music by consolidated bands.
Town of Ticonderoga. 407
Prayer.
Music.
Addresses by prominent men.
Music.
Grand parade and military tactics.
Ranks broken and places of special interest visited.
Escorting of guests to cars and boats.
PARTING SALUTE.
The above card is explanatory of the causes of a change in the original
programme, which, however, was not divested of its most interesting features.
Upon the anniversary the proceedings were threatened with rain in the morn-
ing, but at a seasonable hour the rain ceased falling and the foreign arrivals
began to come in. On the train from Rutland arrived the Barlow Grays, of
St. Albans ; next the steamer Curlew, from Vergennes, the oldest city in New
England, brought an immense concourse of people, and later the large and ele-
gant steamboat Montreal appeared steaming down the waters. Meanwhile thou-
sands upon thousands of carriages, wagons, carts and vehicles of every descrip-
tion were coming from all directions over the country roads until at last the
great promontory presented a scene of the richest and most imposing splendor.
Tents crowded the rugged heights. As the Burlington boats came in a round
of cannonade greeted them and myriads from the breasts of the old earth-
works cheered lustily as the prow of the steamers touched the shore.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession was formed at about half-past one P. M., as follows : —
General Joseph Eglofif, Marshal.
Senior Vice Commander, G. A, R., Department of New York.
Barlow Greys of St. Albans.
Orators of the day.
Sherman Cornet Band, Winooski, Vt.
Ethan Allen Hose Company, Burlington, Vt.
Vergennes Cornet Band.
Stephens's Hose, Vergennes.
Bristol Band and Rutland Brigade Drum Corps.
Post Roberts, Rutland, Vt.
Burlington Band.
Post Stanard, of Burlington, Vt.
Ticonderoga Cornet Band.
Post Alfred Weed.
Whitehall Cornet Band.
Citizens of Whitehall.
Band, citizens and invited guests.
The route of the procession was over the path Ethan Allen took his men
on the morning of the attack, and has already been fully described in these
pages. The line passed from the lake up the hill toward the fort. The fort
4o8 History of Essex County.
was distant about a mile and the journey was over a rough, rocky path. The
citizens standing on the high promontory above in densely packed hnes hur-
rahed as the line neared them, and finally in about thirty minutes the place
was reached, about 7,000 people clustering about the speaker's stand.
The sight was a grand one. The bright uniforms of the soldiers, the
gleaniing of bayonets and the flourish of the brazen instruments wrought up a
scene of more than ordinary splendor. Just at this time, too, the sun broke
forth gloriously and the sombre mountain sides were diffused with light. Every
cloud was swept from the surface of the heavens and the morning of May loth,
1875, was hke that grand and joyous one upon which in the gray of the dawn
Ethan Allen won the fort by his daring for the colonies.
Colonel William E. Calkins, president of the day, made a brief but elo-
quent address of welcome, speaking as follows : —
" Members of the Grand Army of the Republic — Ladies and Gentlemen :
— While centennial camp fires are burning thick around us, it seems proper
that we too should catch the inspiration and gather from valley, hillside and
mountain glen, to celebrate the centennial of an event which stands out in bold
felief upon the page of American history — an event freighted with the progress
of mankind, to-wit : the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and his
band of Green Mountain Boys, in the name of the Great Jehovah and the
Continental Congress.
" We are told by the bold and daring commander that the surprise was
executed in the gray of the morning of the loth of May, 1775 ; that the sun
seemed to rise on that morning with a superior lustre ; and Ticonderoga and its
dependencies smiled to its conquerors. I regret that the same sunlight which
illumined in so marked a manner the morning of a hundred years ago is par-
tially crippled by clouds, yet, in behalf of Post Alfred Weed, of Ticonderoga,
and Post William H. Stevenson, of Moriah, and their assistants of the Grand
Army of the Republic, to whose unflinching energy and perseverance the cel-
ebration of to-day is chiefly due, I ' tender to one and all a hearty welcome.
Here on this consecrated ground was the first harvest of prisoners ; here the
first place where drilled regulars of, a foreign foe stacked arms to the yeo-
manry of America ; here the first intimation that crowns might crumble and
kingdoms pass away ; here the enamel of monarchy and despotism was punc-
tured and men learned to assert and maintain their inalienable rights to life,
liberty and happiness. Trusting that all will join heart and hand in the cele-
bration of the day, we cannot be unmindful that the actors of a hundred years
ago heed not the drum beat of to-day, but we feel assured that their spirits
' are marching on.' And when the marble which marks the resting-place of
Ethan Allen and his eighty-three Green Mountain Boys shall have yielded to
the crumbling hand of time, their memories and example will 'live, gathering
brighter lustre with increasing centuries — and I trust New York, the home
Town of Ticonderoga. 409
of my adoption, will take no exception if I particularly welcome the large
delegation of my native State, Vermont. And I cordially welcome the repre-
sentatives of her press, her bar and bench, and State officials, so ably repre-
sented here to-day."
The Rev. Joseph Cook then delivered an eloquent address (the principal
oration), which opened as follows : —
"This, fellow-citizens, is soil older to fame than Plymouth Rock. In 1609,
eleven years before the Mayflower began her voyage, Samuel Champlain fought
a battle with the Iroquois, on the shore yonder not far from the spot where
Ethan Allen one hundred years ago this morning landed in the gray dawn.
We are assembled in a fortress which was one link of a chain of French posts
extending from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to that of the Mississippi, and
designed to shut the English up behind the Alleghanies. Over that long path
from the iceberg to the palm hoVered the anxious thoughts of Chatham, of
Colbert, of George IV, and Louis XIV. when as yet it had not been decided
whether America was to be English or French. By virtue of her discoveries
of the valleys of the St. Lawrence and Mississippi, France claimed all territory
traversed by water flowing into those rivers; but by right of her paramount
sovereignty over the Iroquois (five nations), England claimed the territory
from the Green Mountains to beyond Niagara. Here was an issue between
the gripping giant fingers of the glittering hand of France and the sinewy
hand of England, on the decision of which, at Quebec, a continent hung at
hazard. Over this soil have waved the competing flags of three nations.
One hundred and sixteen years ago Ticonderoga was French and became
British ; one hundred years ago at dawn this morning it was British and be-
came American. We tread in the footsteps of Montcalm, Abercrombie, Howe,
Amherst, Allen, St. Clair and Burgoyne."
After paying a glowing tribute to Allen, Mr. Cook closed his remarks as
follows : —
" Prince Albert said that a good citizen's duty was to find out which way
God was moving and move with him. That sentiment England writes be-
neath Prince Albert's statues. Deiim segui, to follow God, was, according to
Seneca, the sum of political wisdom. In America every man has a certain
princely responsibility. Every free citizen is under poHtical obHgation to find
out which way God is moving and to move with him. For 200 years represent-
ative institutions have been spreading. The gulf stream of modern history is
democracy. De Tocqueville stood in awe before this historical tendency as a
revelation of a divine decree. But chaos must come from the progress of de-
mocracy unless the diffusion of conscientiousness keeps pace with the diffusion
of property, of intelligence and of liberty. I believe that the diffusion of consci-
entiousness is what Providence intends to accomplish. Assuredly God intends
the diffusion of liberty and of intelligence. Providence intends to bless, and
410 History of Essex County.
not to curse the world. Only one safe' world is possible under universal suf-
frage — a thoroughly good world. The Lord is, not was. God was, is, and
is to come. These are the ultimate grounds of my interest in the past, and the
only sources of my hope in the future of America. God means to diffuse con-
scientiousness assuredly, as He has diffused liberty, intelligence and property,
and so to perfect His own work."
Other orators followed, letters were read by the president from Governor
Tilden, of New York, Governors Peck, Page and Stewart, of Vermont, Colo-
nel Ethan Allen, of New York, and others. It was a fit commemoration of
one of the prominent historical events of the country.
Unveiling of Lord Howe's Monument. — The town of Ticonderoga owes its
honored townsman, the Rev. Joseph Cook, a debt of gratitude for his gift of a
fine marble monument which commemorates the death of Lord Howe, who
fell at the head of his army on the 6th of July, 1758, when about to assault
the French in the fort. The monument stands just below the upper falls on
the bank of the outlet from Lake George, and bears this inscription : —
Near this Spot
FELL
July 6th, 1758,
in a skirmish preceding
Abercrombie's Defeat of Montcalm,
George Augustus
VISCOUNT HOWE,
Aged 34.
Massachusetts erected a monument to him in Westminster Abbey.
Ticonde7'oga places here this memorial.
The monument was unveiled on the 5th of September, 1878, on which oc-
casion an interesting programme was carried out. Hon. C. H. Delano was
made chairman and R. R. Stevenson secretary, and the former inaugurated
the ceremonies with these words : —
" Ladies and Gentlemen: — I thank you for the honor you have conferred
upon me in asking me to preside at this ceremony on this historic spot. On
centennial day, I, with others, was selected to secure suitable memorial stones
or monuments, to be erected on spots of historic interest in Ticonderoga, and
I am ashamed to say that I had forgotten the fact until a distinguished son —
I may well say the most distinguished son — of Ticonderoga called on me the
other day and invited me to be present at the unveiling of a monument to the
memory of Lord Howe, upon this spot, near where he fell. And he farther
said that the monument was purchased and paid for. So I am pleased to say
that there is no mortgage upon it. It seems to me eminently fitting that the
citizens of Ticonderoga, whose sons, through all the conflicts of the past, since
the settlement of the town to the close of the last Rebellion, have honored their
ancestors, their town and themselves, should gather here to-day to do honor
to the memory of one who was of the flower and chivalry of England, and the
Town of Ticonderoga.
411
idol of the army whose fortune he shared, and who, on this spot, met the death
of a heroic soldier."
The Rev. Joseph Cook was then introduced to the assemblage and delivered
a very eloquent and patriotic address. Colonel William E. Calkins was then
loudly called for, and followed with one of his characteristic speeches, leaving
his listeners as usual in the best of humor. Just previous to the closing ben-
ediction Hon. C. H. Delano suggested that an expression be taken, and
by an overwhelming viva voce vote of the assembly the name of Trout brook
was changed, up to its first large branch near the red school-house, to Lord
Howe brook, in honor of the soldier and friend of America.
In the Rebellion — This town was one of the first to respond to the call
of the country for aid in maintaining the Union. Meetings were held, recruit-
ing pushed, money raised and, more than all, large numbers of volunteers
promptly stepped forward to fill the ranks of the Union armies. The wealthy
men of the community generously voted of their means for the payment of
liberal bounties, and a general spirit of patriotism prevailed, as it did in most
northern towns. The long roll of the dead who gave up their lives to per-
petuate the integrity of the Republic contains many from this town whose
■deeds and deaths number them among the country's heroes. The reader will
find this topic fully treated in a separate chapter herein.
The following is a list of the names of the soldiers from Ticonderoga who
served in the late civil war. While it is not complete, it is as nearly so as can
at this day be made : —
TICONDEROGA LIST OF SOLDIERS.
Francis E. McCormick, S. V. R. Bigalow,
James McCormick,
Nelson M. Barney,
Roswell G. Bates,
Wm. H. Smith,
Orville C. Bigalow,
George Burns,
Geo. B. Coates,
Judson E. Cook,
Jotham A. Huestis,
Almeron S. Burns,
Wm. McAllister,
Patrick Conly,
Adam Hovenden,
Albert O'Connor,
Nelson P. Dolbeck,
Wm. Smith,
Robert Hogle,
David Wakefield,
John Hammell,
Reuben Kilmer,
Patrick Melaney,
George Wiley,
Horace Sturdevant,
Abraham Little,
Stewart Bradford,
Joseph Brean,
Anson Moore,
Frank Sartwell,
Al Hayfords,
Edwin T. Hayfords,
Erastus Hayfords,
Neice McGowan,
Ebenezer McGowan,
Edward E. Wilson,
Harmon C. Miller,
John Miller,
Oliver Mayotte,
Frank Blanchard,
Philander Woodard,
Zephaniah Woodard,
Jefferson Oskins,
Warren Johnson,
Hugh McCormick,
Daniel McCaulay,
James O'Brien,
John Pinchin,
Alexander Ramsay,
John Sprague,
George Wheeler,
Thomas Moore,
George Armstrong,
James May,
412
History of Essex County.
James Furgeson,
Moses Boudrye,
John Dudley,
Samuel Bailey,
Thomas E. Bailey,
Samuel G. Bryan,
Prentice J. Burt,
William Cossey,
Ashley B. Covill,
Henry Dudley,
John M. Farr,
Henry Garfield,
Horace Henry,
Loyal Ives,
George Ives,
Edwin Lampson,
Willard H. Lampson,
Capt. Wm. H. Sanger,
George W. Bryan,
George H. Rowley,
Sheldon Hildreth,
Charles Lapier,
Charles Gay,
John Furgesson,
George W. Lincoln,
Jefferson Clark,
Edward Hams,
David E. Jackson,
James Keyes.
Thomas Stewart,
George W. Smith,
Peter Neddo,
Edward Champagne,
Henry Odell,
Ira More,
Henry More,
William Garfield,
William Fernette,
Harvey D. Spicer,
Patrick Donally,
Joseph Ozier, jr.,
Perry Johnson,
Joseph D. Myers,
Patrick McCaughlin,
Charles H. Holcomb,
Simon Town,
George L. Town,
William Lively,
William Lively, jr.,
James Lively,
Al Lively,
Charles Gilleo,
Henry Gilleo,
John McGhee,
William Sampson,
Henry Sampson,
Neal Murray,
George G. Scott,
Walter Scott,
John Scott,
Sidney McClenathan,
James Burnet,
George Delano,
Walter G. Ramsay,
Silas Neddo,
Harrison Rich,
Martin Hogle,
Edward Frenette,
George Frenette,
John Oskins,
John F. Barnes,
James Joubert,
James Garrow,
James L'Esperance,
John C. Moody,
Ulysses Carey,
James Armstrong,
Charles Armstrong,
Felix Hiberty,
George Covill,
Thomas Covill,
Ira Hulbert,
Louis King,
Reuben Bly,
Joel W. Bennett,
Patrick H. Bly,
Myron Bennett,
Henry Dunton,
Alanson H. Tradway,
Palmer Carr,
Chamberlain Marshall,
Jesse Lewis,
Captain Alfred Weed,
Alex. H. Weed.
Asa Bacon,
John Hall,
Fletcher Ingalls,
Jed Walker,
John Walker,
Robert Bristol,
Charles Chilson,
Glazier,
David Walker,
John Roberts,
David Roberts,
George Roberts,
Gerrit Smith,
Dyer S. Sharp,
Edward Sharp,
Frank Sharp,
Frank Johnson,
John Nulty,
Patrick Nulty,
Daniel W. Odell,
Nelson E. Porter,
Hiram Sexton,
John W. H. Teft,
Moses Wells,
James O'Neale,
James Garrow,
William Dennsmore,
Joseph Peppin,
Zadock Lapell,
William Johnson,
George D. Barber,
Thomas Letson,
Town of Ticonderoga. 413
Peter W. Palmer, James Bryan, Joseph Porter,
Ira Cook, William J. Bryan, Samuel Bristol,
Albert N. Shattuck, William Bramble, George Clark,
Patrick English, Isaiah Perkins, Henry Griffin,
Thomas W. Newman, Lester G. Hack, Doransey S. Carr,
Alex. McDougal, James D. Potter, Robert Hovenden,
Horace Spaulding, Edward Armstrong, Adam Hovenden,
Joseph Fernette, Charles A. Boudrye, Frank Sampson.
Town Records. — Fire has several times swept over the village of Ticon-
deroga with disastrous effects and the early records of the town are destroyed;
this is the common report in very many towns — the records are either
destroyed or lost, and in many where they are still intact, they are kept with
the grossest carelessness, as if they are of no possible value ; while, in truth,
much of the early history of every town exists nowhere else than on those
musty p)ages. The following extracts, some of them more quaint than really
valuable, were made by Mr. Cook in 1857, before the records were destroyed,
and they shall be preserved here : —
Wolves, 1805. — " Voted, that Forty Dollars be raised for the purpose of
Destroying Wolves, and that five Dollars be paid to any Person that does
actually Ketch and Kill a full grown Wolf within the limits of this town, until
the whole sum of 40 dollars be Expended." In the next year thirty dollars
were expended in the same manner. In 1808, twenty-five dollars were raised,
of which two dollars and fifty cents should be paid for " each whelp killed."
In 1812 the same bounty was offered for "each whelp that can walk alone."
In 1 8 14 the definition was made still more specific, embracing "each whelp
which is not able to take care of itself, provided they have their eyes open and
can see." This is the last recorded bounty for the killing of wolves.
Foxes, 181 1. — "Voted, that eight dollars be raised for the purpose of
Destroying Foxes, and that twenty-five cents be paid for killing each," etc.
Crows and Blackbirds. — " Voted, that ten dollars be raised for the pur-
pose of destroying Crows and Blackbirds; three cents for each crow, and one
cent for each blackbird."
School Districts. — On the 20th of June, 1813, Samuel Biglow, Francis
Arthur, and Levi Wilcox, Commissioners of Schools, divided the town into
six school districts, " in conformity to the requisitions of the Act entitled, An
Act for the establishment of common schools, passed the 19th day of June,
1812." These districts were subsequently changed' in boundaries, subdivided
and otherwise altered.
Roads and Bridges. — From 1804 to 1820 the town records, as is com-
monly the case, are largely made up of descriptions of new roads, improve-
ments ordered in those already laid out, and the building of bridges. In the
language of Mr. Cook, " To lay out the roads and erect the bridges of a single
414 History of Essex County.
town, with all the conflicting array of local interests, is by no means a fool's
business. The Upper Falls bridge was built in 1807 and sixty dollars raised
for that purpose. Bridges had existed at the Lower Falls from the earliest
military possession of the territory."
Slavery. — The only trace of the institution of slavery which tradition or
public documents have afforded us in this town, is the following record made
about the time that the abolition movement began in the State laws : "A record
of the birth of a female black child. — This may certify that I, John Arthur,
of the town of Ticonderoga, Essex county. State of New York, have had a
female black child born (the services of which I claim), by the name of Sylvia,
which child was born on the eleventh day of December, the year one thousand
eight hundred and fourteen. Given under my hand this eighth day of Decem-
ber, 1815. John Arthur."
Stray Cattle, 18O8. — "Voted, that the cow-yard of Richard Handee be
appropriated for the use of a Pound, and that he be pound-keeper." Other
yards in various parts of the town were subsequently made pounds, but there
is no record of other regular public inclosures.
Civil List. — Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its
formation to the present time, with the years of their respective service : —
1804-8, Levi Thompson ; 1809, Manoah Miller; 18 10- 11, Peter Deall ;
1812-14, Ebenezer Douglass; 1815, Levi Thompson; 1816, Ebenezer Doug-
lass; 1817-20, William Kirby ; 1821, Francis Arthur; 1822-23, Isaac Kel-
logg; 1824-26, Ebenezer Douglass ; 1827-28, Joseph Weed ; 1829, Almeron
Smith; 1830, Joseph Weed; 1831, Almeron Smith; 1832-34, Joseph S.
Weed; 1835, Melancthon W. Blin ; 1836-37, John Smith; 1838, Levi
Thompson; 1839, John H. More; 1840, Levi Thompson; 1 841, Henry B-
Hay ; 1842-43, Thomas J. Treadway ; 1844, Palmer M. Baker ; 1845, George
R.Andrews; 1846, George Grant; 1847-8, Joseph Weed; 1849, Cornelius
Van Vechten and Jonathan Burnett ; 1850, Francis Arthur; 185 1, William E.
Calkins; 1852, Levi Thompson; 1853-54, William E. Calkins; 1855, Moses
T. Clough; 1856, Henry F. Hammond; 1857, Benjamin H. Baldwin; 1858,
William E. Calkins; 1859-60, Henry G. Burleigh; 1861, Benjamin H. Bald-
win; 1862, W. H. Cook; 1863-65, Henry G. Burleigh; 1866 to 1872
inclusive, Clayton H. Delano; 1873 to 1881 inclusive, William E. Calkins ;
1882, Dominick J. Gilligan ; 1883 and to' the present time, Thomas J.
Treadway.
Following are the present officers of the town : Supervisor, T. J. Tread-
way ; Clerk, John C. Fenton ; Overseer of the poor, Judah M. Brown;
Commissioner of highways, Alex. H. Weed; Assessors, Andrew Stowell,
Dorus C. Bascom, W. A. G. Arthur ; Collector, Edward D. C. Wiley ;
Auditors, James F. More, Austin N. Persons, J. W. H. Tefft ; Constables'
Edwin H. Armstrong, John Woodward, Lucius W. Thatcher, Charles Burns,
Town of Ticonderoga. 415
Warren Johnson ; Game constable, James Corpron ; Commissioners of
excise, Joseph Keeton, Wm. W. D. Jeffers, Lyman Malcolm.
The Medical Profession. — Probably the first physician to settle in this
town was Dr. Levi Wilcox, who located here as early as 1800. He followed
the uninterrupted practice of his profession for over thirty- five years, and
attained a large practice and a reputation that was enviable. In the spring of
1822 he received as a partner Dr. John Smith (which partnership continued
for three years), who practiced here until near the time of his death in May,
1869. In 1838 he removed an apothecary's shop, that he had kept at the
U'pper Village, to the Lower Village, and there kept a stock of remedies
which proved a great convenience to the inhabitants and his brother phy-
sicians. He died on the 23d day of April, 1869. An obituary published at
the time speaks in the highest terms of his integrity and professional accom-
plishments. He held the office of superintendent of the poor and was a
prominent member of the old Ticonderoga lodge of Masons, which order passed
a series of eulogistic resolutions upon his character and attainments. Dr.
Smith had one son, Charles Darwin Smith, who died on the 12th of April, in
the same year that his father died, at the age of forty- nine. Dr. Smith's
widow is still living with her son-in-law, W. A. G. Arthur, in Ticonderoga.
Between the years 1830 and 1839, several young physicians practiced in
the town for periods of varied lengths ; among them were Lemuel Weeks and
Alexander Spencer. In 1839 Dr. A. R. Nickerson came here from Crown
Point and practiced for many years. After 1840, Drs. C. Hall, H. S. Smith
and Vaughan followed the profession in the town for transient periods. Dr.
W. P. Gannon came to Ticonderoga in 1854 and practiced until his death in
1879. Dr. Brobencher also practiced here for a time. Dr. M. J. Moore,
a brother-in-law of Dr. Gannon, practiced and died here.
The present physicians of the town are : Dr. James H. Bailey, who studied
his profession in the University of Vermont, at Burlington, and graduated in
1858. He practiced a year and a half in Chicago, and then at Williamstown,
Vt, three years. He was in the army as surgeon one year, at Barry, Vt, two
years, and came to this town in 1867, where he has continued in practice
since, gaining the confidence of the community.
Dr. J. N. Oliver studied at Rouse's Point, and graduated from the Albany
Medical College in 1857. He then practiced six months at Alburgh, Vt., and
at Constable, Franklin county, until the war broke out. He was in the service
as surgeon to the close of the war, and practiced in Essex from 1865 to 1882,
when he removed to Ticonderoga.
Dr. N. D. Peck studied his profession at Cornwall, Vt, and graduated from
the Cleveland Homeopathic College in 187 1. He practiced with Dr. George
E, E. Sparhawk at Gaysville, Vt., two years, and came to this town imme-
diately afterward.
41 6 History of Essex County.
Dr. C. A. Groves is a graduate of the New York Homeopathic Medical
College, 1 88 1. He has practiced in Ticonderoga since that date.
Dr. R. C. Wilcox graduated from the medical department of the University
of Vermont in 1883, and has practiced here since; he also practiced six years
previous to this period under a diploma from the State censors. He is a grand-
son of Dr. Wilcox, the pioneer physician.
The dental profession is represented in the village by Dr. J. W. H. Tefft,
who studied two years in Poultney, Vt, beginning in 1855. He then prac-
ticed one year in Troy, and came here, where he has enjoyed an extensive pat-
ronage since.
The Legal Profession. — S. A. Gibson practiced law after the fashion of
early days at the Upper Village in 18 14, and was the first attorney in the town
of which we can obtain any information. Libeus Haskell, Lemuel Wicker, and
a Mr. Northrup were lawyers of Ticonderoga in 1822 and for some years later.
They were succeeded between 1824 and 1834 by Richard Smith, Jonathan
Burnett, James J. Stephens, and Eliphalet Pearson. The next decade wit-
nessed the advent of George R. Andrews, William Calkins (father of WiUiam E.
Calkins, who is still living in the village), J. C. Wicker, and Moses T. Clough ; the
latter practiced the profession down to about the date of the war and is now in
practice in the city of Troy, N. Y. ; Augustus Haight, M. F. Nicholson and
C. N. Flint were engaged here for short periods. In 1858 Mr. Cook says the
only lawyers in the place were Hon. J. Burnet, Alfred Weed, and M. A. Shel-
don. The latter is now in practice in Glens Falls. Since 1858 the profession
has been represented here by John C. HoUenbeck, Stephen L. Wheeler, Wil-
liam R. and Simon Crammond, with those now in practice.
John C. Fenton studied his profession in New York and was admitted to
the bar in 1859. He has been in active practice here since 1868, and now
holds the offices of notary public and clerk of the town.
Robert Dornburgh studied at Chester, Warren county, and was admitted in
May, 1880. He was surrogate's clerk in Elizabethtown to May, 1881, and
then went to Port Henry, where he remained to February, 1882, at which date
he came to Ticonderoga.
Mr. Cook writes as follows of those who held some of the important offices
in State politics: "Of representatives to the Legislature from Ticonderoga,
Manoah Miller was the first in 1813 ; Levi Thompson followed him in 18 14.
Ebenezer Douglass was in the Assembly in 182 1 and about the same time
Ticonderoga and the county were represented in the Senate by Judge Kellog.
In 1830 William Kirby was sent from Ticonderoga to the Assembly; in 1831,
Joseph S. Weed ; in 1833, Almeron Smith ; Jonathan Burnet, who had been
county judge from 1841 to 1845, was sent to the Assembly for 1853-54; he
was a leading debater in the House during a very active session in which the
canal enlargement, the impeachment of Mather, and the prohibitory law were
Town of Ticonderoga. 417
prominent subjects of discussion." Clayton H. Delano was sent to the Assem-
bly in 1870 and 1871 ; William E. Calkins in 1875-76; George R. Andrews
was sent to Congress from 1 849 to 1 8 5 1 .
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Ticonderoga Village. — The situation and surroundings of the village of
Ticonderoga have, perhaps, been sufficiently dwelt upon. It remains for us to
consider its growth in mercantile and manufacturing interests, and the attendant
increasing prosperity of its institutions.
Judge Hay occupied and conducted the " old King's store," which stood
near the steamboat landing at Ticonderoga, and supplied the inhabitants of a
large section of territory with their household necessities before the beginning
of the present century. The old building was used for many years as a com-
bined hotel, store, church, and town-house. (See preceding pages.) John
Stoughton, who has been alluded to as associated with Samuel Deall, sold .
goods here as early as 1767, which were shipped from New York by Mr. Deall,
coming by sloop to Albany, where they were met by wagoners and carried
overland to the head of Lake George, whence they continued onward by boat.
It was in the transportation of merchandise down the lake that Mr. Stoughton
was drowned.
Judge Isaac Kellog was a merchant at the upper yillage as early as 1 800;
he was joined by Ebenezer Douglass, after having carried on 'business alone
for several years, and the firm was Kellog & Douglass ; this business was con-
tinued until about 18 14.
John and Timothy Harris traded in an old yellow store at the upper village
in 1813. John Harris continued the business prosperously until 1832. Mr.
Cook says : " For a public-spirited and energetic man like Mr. Harris the mer-
cantile business of this day presented an attractive field of activity. Crossing
to the roads of Vermont in summer and on the ice of Champlain in winter, the
transportation wagons were usually eight days in bringing goods from Albany
and Troy to Ticonderoga by land, for which the charges were from eight to
ten shillings a hundred."
John A. Arthur was in mercantile trade at the Lower Falls in 18 13, and
Dyer Spencer had a store at the Upper Village from 1832 to 1835, a part of
that period in the old yellow store mentioned ; this building has now disappeared.
In 18 16 Joseph Weed became a partner with Ebenezer Douglass, formerly
of the firm of Kellog & Douglass, in the same store at the Upper Village ; this
partnership continued seven years, after which Mr. Weed began business in
the old red store at the Upper Village. From 1823 to 1838, according to Mr.
Cook, " this building contained some of the best assortments and was the scene
of the heaviest mercantile business ever carried on by a single man in Ticon-
deroga. It is estimated that the business of this store for about ten years pre-
vious tp 1838 amounted to over $100,000 annually." -'
41 8 History of Essex County.
Other stores at the Upper Village, which were intimately connected with
the lumber trade in early years, were those of A. H. Coats, begun in 1836 and
closed in 1838; and the grocery of P. M. Baker, carried on from 1832 to 1844,
when the proprietor built his store at the Lower Village and carried on a suc-
cessful business for many years.
Mr. Cook gives the following account of the early stores on the north side
of the creek at the Lower Village, which we shall extend so as to bring the
records down to date : John Arthur traded in the old Tefft house as early as
1 8 10. John A. Arthur, his son, built the store opposite Tefft's Hotel, and
traded there in 18 14; this building is now occupied as a dwelling on Elm
street. Mr. Arthur vacated the building in 18 16, Edward Vaughn taking his
place, and built the structure occupied in 1858 by Mr. Snow, and opened it as
a store. Wheeler & Blin traded in a building which stood near the lower
bridge in 1826, and were followed the next year by Park Freeman, and he by
Rumsey & Wheeler in 1829.
In 1820 Joseph S. Weed came here from Saratoga county, and built a large
store below the lower falls on the south bank of the stream near the present site
of the pulp-mill. For five years he carried on a heavy business ; the traveled
thoroughfare between the lakes then passed the site of his .store, and lumber
was brought there in large quantities every winter. In 1828 Mr. Weed built
his store at what soon became locally known as Weedsville, now a suburb of
Ticonderoga, on the high ground to the westward of the village. He also
built the brick house, then and long after one of the best residences in the vil-
lage, and still occupied by Mrs. Weed, widow of Joseph Weed ; the old store
building is now used as a barn connected with Mrs. Joseph Weed's residence.
Joseph S. Weed occupied the store five or six years with Richard D. Arthur
as his partner. Other occupants of the store until 1838 were J. H. More &
Co., David Smith & Co., George Grant, Grant & C. Van Vechten. In the
last-mentioned year Joseph Weed purchased the premises from Mr. Grant, re-
moved thither his other business interests, and continued prosperously until
1842. For a number of years WiUiam E. Calkins, then a young man, " but
destined to become one of the most prominent and able merchants of the town,"
was a partner of Mr. Weed. Mr. Weed subsequently, and very little through
his own fault, became embarrassed financially; but he diligently and honorably
prosecuted his business interests as far as he was able, until forced by increas-
ing years to abandon them. He died in i860.
In 1 82 1 Hiram Fields began business in Ticonderoga as a hatter and book-
seller. His store was on Exchange street and was built for him by Mr. Blin.
There had been a previous hat store at the Upper Village, ^ the people in that
1 " It is exceedingly inconvenient that the streets of Ticonderoga village have no names, so that it is
impossible to designate accurately the location of public buildings. For purposes of convenience in
these sketches we are compelled to take the liberty of originating names for streets as follows : The
street running a little west of north from the fair grounds past the brick church, lawyers' offices, hotel
Town of Ticonderoga. 419
day depending for their head coverings on small factories scattered about the
country. The work of making fur hats was carried on by Mr. Fields for fif-
teen years, and was sufficiently extensive to keep enjployed three or four hands.
Here the furs of the town and vicinity found market. After 1846 Mr. Fields
devoted his attention to the sale of books and stationery.
In 1832 Richard D. Arthur built the brick structure which formerly. stood
on the southeast corner of Main and Exchange streets, and kept a store there
two years, when he died. It was afterward occupied by L. Doolittle & Fletcher,
Elisha Pike & L. Doolittle, J. H. More (1837 to 1840), a part of this period
with Hiram Wilson as partner ; Craige & Harris, S. More & Powers, Hiram
Wilson, and William E. Calkins (1845), Mr. Wilson having purchased the
building; these gentlemen did a thriving business here until 1850. At this
time, owing to depression in lumber and iron traffic and failure to realize on
what was their due, the firm became embarrassed and in 1852 made an assign-
ment, but liquidated their indebtedness in an honorable manner. In 1854 G.
C. Weed and J. Q. A. Treadway occupied the brick store, and after one year
Mr. Treadway continued the business alone. The building was burned in the
great fire of March 31st, 1875, which swept away most of the business portion
of the village, entailing a loss of $200,000.
What was once known as Bugbee's store (now a dwelling occupied by
Orlando Rowell) was built on the south side of Elm street in 1836 by William
Calkins and William E. Calkins, and rented for several years, and finally sold,
to Carlos Bugbee. Here Mr. Bugbee did a large business in provisions, with
the towns of Crown Point, Schroon, Moriah, and in towns south of and across
Lake Champlain. It is said that thirty-three per cent, of a heavy trade came
from the then vast lumber interest of Schroon. Mr. Bugbee was joined by
Smith Weed in 1841, and the partnership continued to 1855, when Mr. Weed
went out. Mr. Bugbee continued trade for some time after.
In 1836 H. & T. J. Treadway built a store on Exchange street, where a
and other principal buildings, across the creek, and ending at the foot of Mount Hope, we shall call
Main street. The one beginning at the store-houses and boat yards on the creek, rising past the lower
grist-mill and machine shop, crossing Main street at right angles, and extending through Weedsville
and into Trout Brook valley, we shall name, from its principal building and the mercantile and boating
business done on it. Exchange street. On the north side of the creek, running from the hotel of James
Tefft, past C. Bugbee's store to the village .school-house, on account of the trees that fringe the foot of
Mount Hope, we have Elm street. Water street, if you please, is the road along the shore of the
creek from J. Tefft's to the foot of Cottage hill ; and from there past the cold spring through Gal-
lows gate to the old French lines, we ought to find Battle street, on account of the military engage-
ments that have made every foot of that road historic ground. As indicating the direction of the lum-
ber woods towards Schroon, and of the blacks lead mines, and as being the entrance thence to the vil-
lage, we shall name the north and south road at Weedsville Corners, Forest street."
Such is Mr. Cook's designation of streets in 1857-8, and several of the more important ones have
retained these names. He adds : " Exchange street we are obliged to divide into its three natural sec-
tions, the upper, or Weedsville ; the central, from the bridge along the center of business to the ma-
chine shop hill, and the lower section from the foot of the hill to the docks. Upper, central, and lower
correspond to the height of the ground."
420 History of Essex County.
very large trade was carried on in connection with their vast lumber and fac-
tory interests ; their business here amounted to more than $50,000 a year, and
was closed in 1845.
The brick store at Weedsville, now occupied as a dwelling, was erected in
1838 by Asa P. Delano, and was occupied several years by him in company
with L. H. Persons. From about 1848 to 1850 C. P. Ives and W. A. G.
Arthur did business there. A wooden store building was in existence long
before the brick store at Weedsville, and was occupied by Asa P. Delano,
Nelson Rogers, and the firm of Delano & Jones. It then passed through the
different stages of a harness shop (Mr. Lester's), a barn, and is now a dwelling.
What was known as the G. C. Weed store. Exchange street, was built by
George C. Weed in 1843 and first occupied by Cornelius Van Vechten ; he
removed to the West, and from 1847 to 1848 the store was used by the firm
of G. C. Weed & J. Q, A. Treadway, when business there was discontinued.
George Thompson built a store on Exchange street in the same vicinity in
1842; the building is now used as a dwelling. Mr. Thompson died in 1849,
and was an energetic and prominent citizen of the place.
In 1842 what was long known as "The Exchange" was built by M. A.
Perkins, on the northeast corner of Main and Exchange streets. This site had
previously been occupied by a wooden store and used by Wheeler & Blin,
from about 1833; F. Skiff & L. Doolittle; M. A. Perkins & Lathrop Burge,
and J. B. & Walter Chipman & Company. Each of these firms traded there
about two years, when increasing business demanded the larger store ; this
was first occupied by Walter Chipman & Hiram Wilson; in 1844 Wilson &
Calkins traded there, and from 1845 to 1848 J. M. Bishop & Company. G.
A. Austin became associated with the firm, and the style was changed to
Bishop & Austin. Mr. Cook says : " A strong rivalry, favored by other busi
ness operations, then going on and much to the benefit and awakening of the
town, existed between Bishop & Austin and Wilson & Calkins, the buildings
of these two firms facing each other from opposite sides of Central Exchange
street. Wilson & Calkins having built a blacksmith shop on Main street.
Bishop & Austin built the one opposite the post-office in competition." In
the fall of 1848 G. C. Weed & J. Q. A. Treadway removed from Upper Exchange
street, and for six years did a prosperous business as successors to Bishop &
Austin. In 1854 they removed across the street and the Exchange remained
empty. It was burned in the great fire in 1875.
Palmer M. Baker, already mentioned, erected in 1 844 a large store on Ex-
change street, near the southwest corner of Main and Exchange ; here he did
a prosperous business until 1849. He was succeeded by Alonzo Moses for
about a year. At this juncture several inhabitants of the town became im-
pressed with the idea that a " union store " would prove a profitable venture.
Accordingly an association was formed and shares in the enterprise issued.
Town of Ticonderoga. 421
William H. Cook, Benjamin P. Delano, and Joseph Thompson, prominent
farmers, became responsible as directors for a stock of $3,000, and W. F. Jones,
a former clerk for Mr. Baker and then keeping a small stock in that store, was
selected to purchase the goods for the new concern. The basis of sales was at
a profit of seven per cent, to stockholders and twelve per cent, to outsiders.
The store was successful from the start, but various causes, which need not be
entered into here, resulted in its discontinuance in August, 1852. The stock
was sold to the firm of Baker & Jones, which continued trade until 1855, when
Mr. Jones removed to Glens Falls and was succeeded by A. P. Wilkie. The
firm of Baker & Wilkie continued prosperously until the year 1863, the business
being greatly indebted for its success to the general oversight and superin-
tendence of Wilham E. Calkins. In 1863 A. P. Wilkie bought the whole in-
terest and continued business for several years, but was finally unsuccessful.
Chipman & Sunderland kept a store for several years in a building erected
in 1846 on the northwest corner of Main and Exchange streets. It was after-
wards occupied by J. McCormick as a clothing and tailoring shop, Jonas Lade,
merchant, and others, until it was burned in the great fire of 1875, after
purchase by William E. Calkins. (Calkins finally sold this " site " to Orwell
people in 1882 for $3,000; George C. Weed and C. E. Bennett bought it and
erected thereon a fine brick block of stores, dwelling apartments, and banking
rooms of C. E. Bush.)
Mr. Cook notes the fact that there were, in 1858, seven groceries of vari-
ous degrees of importance in the village, a number that is not reached at the
present time, though the magnitude of business done in this line is greatly in-
creased.
Much of the present business portion of the village has been built up anew
since the fire of 1875, and now presents a handsome and thrifty appearance.
L. C. Drake began a general mercantile business in 1873 on North Main street,
and removed to his present site in 1882, having rebuilt on his first location
after the fire. During the first three years of his business he was associated
with Mr. Haskell, as Drake & Haskell ; this continued the three years, after
which he was alone until 1882, when the firm became Drake & Bennett, con-
tinuing thus one year ; since that date Mr. Drake has continued alone. He
built his present handsome store at a cost of $12,000.
John A. Wiley began a general mercantile trade in 1874 and still con-
tinues a prosperous business ; he built his present store. Aaron Washburn
has been engaged in the sale of dry goods, boots and shoes on Exchange
street since 1877. Jonas Loeb & Brother began trade in dry goods and cloth-
ing on West Excharige street in 1873, renting a store of William E. Calkins,
until the fire in 1875. Since 1879 the business has been conducted by Jonas
alone. W. G. Wiley carried on a general store at Weedsville from 1868 to
1870, when he removed to Main street. He closed out his stock in 1873 and
422 History of Essex County.
in 1881 founded the New York clothing store for Wilson & Gross of Albany.
He removed to his present store in September^ 1884. E. Kampf began
trade in clothing and hats and caps on North Main street, in November, 1884.
Rowell & Shattuck began selling clothing and boots and shoes in 1872 on the
north side of the river and moved to their present site in 1879; no change in
firm.
Gilligan & Stevens began trade in groceries, crockery, and boots and shoes
in 1868. They built and own their present store on West Exchange street;
there has been no change since the firm was formed. Wicker & Wear opened
a grocery on North Main street in 1883 ; Duross & Co., on West Exchange
street, in July, 1884; C. H. Sentenn on East Exchange street, in July, 1884!
D. W. Easton began in February, 1882, on the site of the post-office, and re-
moved to his present location in 1884.
Fred Weed began the druggist trade with A. N. Pond in 1866; the part-
nership continued until 1868, after which until 1875, Mr. Weed carried on the
business alone; in that year he took J. A. Fleming as a partner, who retired
in 1880. Mr. Pond was one of the early druggists of the place and married a
daughter of Dr. John Smith, one of the early physicians already mentioned.
Mr. Weed was a school teacher of Ticonderoga before he engaged in trade-
He has built up a successful business ; has been postmaster of the place since
1864 and is one of the representative men of the village. J. A. Fleming, men-
tioned as a partner of Mr. Weed, began trade in the same line at his present
location in 1880.
The drug firm of Cook & Delano was formerly in 1873 the firm of Pond &
Cook. They were burned out in the great fire, after which C. Cook and C. E.
Bennett formed the firm of Bennett & Cook and began trade in what is now
Hulett's cabinet and furniture factory. Six months later they removed to
Robert Bryan's store on North Main street. They remained there one year
and then came to their present location. In 1882 Dr. F. T. Delano became a
member of the firm, Mr. Bennett having retired, and the firm took its present
name.
H. R. Hulett began the jeweler's trade in Wiley's block in 1874; the
next year he removed to Main street, and thence to the Weed block in 1880;
in 1884 he took his present store in Weed & Bennett's block. Loren Baldwin
was an early jeweler in the village, and was followed by E. A. Prescott. C.
A. McFarland began the business, corner of East Exchange and Main streets,
in 1880, and Charles E. Cragg in May, 1884; the latter proprietor has a store
also in Port Henry.
C. E. Pond began business in manufacturing and selling tinware in 1858,
on the site of the present bank. He subsequently occupied the old hotel build-
ing and added stoves to his stock. He next occupied a part of his dwelling
and then removed to a store on the site of the present Exchange Hotel. In
Town of Ticonderoga. 423
1883 he occupied his present store on West Exchange street. William
Hooper & Company, who have been mentioned in the manufacturing interests,
have a large stock of general hardware and do a very large business.
M. L. Royce, boots and shoes, on North Main street, began business on
Exchange street in 1868, where Mr. Washburn is now located. He removed
to his present site after the fire. A. W. Kincaid began trade in this line in
March, 1885.
The furniture business and undertaking is carried on by Henry E. Hulett,
who began with Edward T. Downs in 1874; they built their shop and store;
Mr. Downs retired in 1876; also by Benjamin F. Frazier, for many years on
the north side of the creek on "North Main street;" also by Lyman Malcolm,
adjoining the "post-office block" on the east.
The banking business of the town is successfully conducted by C. E. Bush,
who began it in March, 1883.
E. C. D. Wiley opened a music store on West Exchange street in 1882,
and still continues it.
Hotels. — We have already alluded to one or two of the very early hostelries
which furnished accommodations to the pioneers of the town. Upon this sub-
ject Mr. Cook wrote : " Prince Taylor, a negro, kept a place of public enter-
tainment in the house now (1858) occupied by Mrs. Holcomb at the Upper
Village, in 181 1. Prince has left a noble memory behind him as a man of wit,
of good parts, and withal of sincere piety, and few were the weddings, or
parties, or festivals in town, in which his art as cook, waiter, and chief director
of the eatables was not brought into contribution. Another public house was
opened near the later residence of W. G. Baldwin, by Abel Potter, in 181 1.
The large hotel, with its two-story piazza in front, its suite of chambers and
parlors, and its ball-room with arched ceiling and springing floor, was framed
also in 181 1. There being no other hotel in town for many years this public
house at the Upper Village enjoyed a very satisfactory patronage. Though
the summer travel between the lakes was not as .great as now (1858) until
about 1826, yet, from the building of the "Lake George" at the rapids in
1 8 16, there had been many passengers between the two waters for pleasure or
for business, whose only stopping place, up to 1825, was at the Alexandria
Hotel. Cephas Ath'erton was one of the keepers of this house, and was suc-
ceeded by several others, down to about 185S. when it was substantially closed
as a hotel.
"In 1825 James Tefft, father, of Dr. J. W. H. Tefift, dentist, built the first
hotel at the Lower Village, a stately building for that day and place, on the
north of Elm street. (It is now used as a dwelling.) Its site was excellent,
overlooking the old French lines. Mount Defiance, the ruins of the old fort, and
the outlet, while just by its side foamed the lower falls, and it stood itself upon
the historic foot of Burgoyne's Mount Hope. Fashionable travel, then on the
424 History or Essex County.
increase, with boarders among business men, gave this house, known as the
American Hotel, a prosperous business for twenty years, up to 1846." From
that date the patronage of the house decHned, though Mr. Tefft continued to
occupy it for many years after. " In 1828 Park Freeman erected the building
which formerly stood on the site of the present Burleigh House, at the Lower
Village, and opened its north room as a store, using the rest as a dwelling
house. It was first opened as a hotel by Richard D. Arthur, its first landlord
being S. D. Clark, and the next P. L. Goss. In 1836 it was bought and
greatly improved by P. M. Baker, who owned it down to about the year 1856.
It was successively occupied during this period by Joel W. Holcomb, R. T.
Howard, Mr. Durfee, Joel W. Holcomb again, Byron Woodward, and Jonas
Bennett." This site has ever since been a prominent one as connected with the
hotels of the town. Town meetings were formerly held here, and the larger
portion of travel made its headquarters in the house. The corner was swept
by fire in 1875, and immediately afterward B. W. Burleigh began the erection
of the present splendid hotel, the Burleigh House. Its cost was about $50,-
000. It was first kept by W. C. French, who was succeeded by the present
popular proprietor, T. E. Bailey ; a livery is kept in connection with the house.
Gordon Burleigh, father of B. W. and H. G. Burleigh, came to Ticonderoga in
1845, from New Hampshire. He became a prominent citizen, and his sons
are among the foremost men in the community ; have been extensively con-
nected with the lumber, iron, and boat-building interests. Henry G. Burleigh
(now Member of Congress) commenced his business education at about thir-
teen years of age, in 1845, i"^ the store of Hiram Wilson and William E. Calkins
and continued with them some seven or eight years, and finally succeeded
them in business in the " old brick store, " and, from a beginning of $50, $75,
and $125, salary for three years, can now boast his tens of thousands.
Down to 1858, according to Mr. Cook, there had been ten hotels in the
town. One of them was the Exchange, built in 1842 and occupied as a hotel
for about five years, when it was given up as such for want of profitable pat-
ronage ; the Thatcher House, at Weedsville ; the Lake House, built by A. J.
Cook, at the Lake George Landing, and the Street House, by Mr. Cheney.
' The attractions about the ruined fortress drew many travelers to that
vicinity, and do yet, which led Archibald Pell to erect near there the Pavilion
Hotel in 1826; it was not, however, opened as a hotel until 1838. Mr. Pell,
who was from New York city, purchased six hundred acres of the fort grounds,
including the site of the house, the grounds around which were carefully and
attractively laid out, and the hotel became widely known and popular. Mr.
Pell was subsequently killed by the explosion of a cannon which it was the
custom to fire as a salute to approaching steamers. The house afterward
passed under the management of Messrs. Low, North, the widow of Cephas
Atherton, Fortis Wilcox, James Tefft, B. B. Brown and others. It is now
kept open summers by Messrs. Gilligan & Stevens.
Town of Ticonderoga. 425
The Hall House was built at the Lower Village by T. E. Bailey in 1879.
He kept it a short time and turned it over to C. B. Hall. A year later J. E.
Herring took and kept it one year, when it returned again to Mr. Hall's
proprietorship.
The Rogers's Rock Hotel is a commodious and pleasant summer resort
which is conducted by the Treadway Brothers near the foot of Lake George ;
it has accommodations for two hundred and fifty guests, and is sought by many
tourists in the summer months.
Manufactures. — The village of Ticonderoga is most favorably situated for
the profitable prosecution of various kinds of manufactures, and it was long
the fond hope of the inhabitants that if would become a busy center of such
operations ; but these hopes have been realized only in part. The attractions
of the lumber business, the impossibility of securing water rights at a time
when other circumstances favored manufacturing, and other causes, drew atten-
tion away from the establishment of extensive and permanent industries which
must have inured to the very great benefit of the town. Within comparatively
a few years, however, several manufacturing industries have sprung up which
have already attained great prominence and promise still further development ;
the example of such enterprises, too, is almost sure to lead to others equally
as important in the progress and prosperity of the town.
In briefly referring to early manufactures in the town (in addition to those
already described), we should mention the early woolen factory of John
Arthur, which was built in 1808, at the north side of the lower falls. John
Porter set up the first carding machine there, and as much as 15,000 pounds
of wool were carded in some single seasons, much of it coming from sur-
rounding towns. In 1 8 14 James Tefft began work as a cloth-dresser, and did
a business of $3,500 the first year; he continued prosperously until 1826.
Another factory Was erected in 1 8 1 8 on the south side of the lower falls and
operated for several years by Mr. Pike, Mr. Case, and E. Harwood. This fac-
tory and the one on the north side were purchased by H. & T. J. Treadway,
and from 1826 to 1840 they did the largest business in carding and dressing
wool of any establishment in this section of country. After 1840 this firm
manufactured cloth extensively and had a large trade with lumbermen. Since
about 1850 this business has been gradually diverted to other points, mostly
in New E'ngland. The Treadway factory is still operated a portion of
the time.
A considerable tanning interest has existed in this town. Deacon Benja-
min Burt established the first tannery at the street as early as 1806. At the
Upper Village Paul Harvey built the first vats and tannery about 1809, and
subsequently followed the same business in Trout brook valley with Augustus
Moses, having sold his works at the Upper Village to S. Morse about 1812.
The latter carried on the business very successfully for six years and died ; the
426 History of Essex County.
tannery was then leased by his apprentice, Jedediah Rice, who in 1824 built
the vats at the foot of Exchange street. After six years in the tannery at the
Upper Village, William Spencer in the spring of 1832 erected the houses and
vats on the north side of Exchange street, where he carried on an extensive
business down to 1854. Since the last-named date very little tanning has
been done here.
In earlier days the building of boats was one of the chief industries of
this town._ In writing of this business in 1858, Mr. Cook said: "With the
exception of one or two stores, boat building is the largest business in Ticon-
deroga at the present time. The first load of Lake Pharaoh lumber that
turned from its usual course through Lake George to the Hudson and sought
an outlet southward by the Champlain canal, was drawn to the Ticonderoga
docks by Stephen Sayre, in 1820. From that time the busin ss of building
and running canal boats has employed a considerable share of the industry of
the town. The Ticonderoga was the first boat built, and launched in 18 19.
From 1820 to 1825 the boat yards were intensely active in supplying the
orders of several business men of the town. Park Freeman, John Harris,
William Stewart, Joseph Weed, Alexander McDole, Almeron Smith, and
Nathan Delano were all building boats together. . . . Among the
mechanics engaged in boat building, Asa Eggleston was foremost from about
1825 to 1835. Asa Simmons has been a prominent boat-builder at Port Mar-
shall for the last thirty years (down to 1858). Henry Cossey, who began
business with Simmons, has been engaged in boat building at the foot of
Lower Exchange street since 1843." Down to 1858 ten boats a year was
given as the average number launched. In 1846 there were fourteen; in 1847
there were seven and one large schooner; in 1857 there were thirteen. The
timber used in these boats was all obtained from the town or the immediate
vicinity until about 1855, when long pine began to be shipped from Canada.
The first boats were made with spruce bottoms, no decks, were steered with
an oar, and made solely for the lumber transportation ; their cost was from $600
to $700. Better crafts were soon constructed, which cost from $800 to $1,000,
and these in turn gave place to the best modern boats. In 1858 more than
forty of the boats running between New York and Lake Champlain ports,
hailed from Ticonderoga. The cargoes brought back were composed of
merchandise of all kinds.
But all this is now changed. The building of boats has declined to almost
nothing, while the once great commercial traffic on the lake is rapidly being
supplanted by the railroads.
According to Mr. Cook, Luther Stoddard and Abel Potter were the prin-
cipal wheelwrights of Ticonderoga previous to 1837. Joshua Holcomb first
began business at the Back Street, and continued it at the Upper Village for
thirty years; he did a large business down to 1840 and considerable to 1844.
Clayton M. DeLano.
Town of Ticonderoga. 427
In 1845 J. B. Ramsay built the shop at the Lower Village, and either alone or
with some of his brothers continued to do a large business for many years ;
he is still engaged in the business. William M. Wiley began as a carriage-
maker at Weedsville in 1846; in 1848 he built a new shop and continued
there many years. Dennis Maxham began work with Mr. Holcomb at the
Upper Village in 1828, located at Weedsville in 1840, and still carries on the
business there ; he is now one of the oldest working mechanics in the place.
A. Ostiguy is also engaged in the wagon-making business in the village.
Nathan S. Clark was one of the earliest cabinet-makers in the town and
continued it for a number of years. B. F. Frazier began the business in 1835
and still continues it successfully. He, in connection with his brother, built a
planing and matching-mill on the north of the lower falls, one of the first in
this region. A new planing- mill, and sash, door and blind factory was pur-
chased by Frederick Ives in April, 1883, and burned in December of the same
year. He immediately rebuilt, and in the fall of ig83 a saw-mill was added.
The original sash factory was built in 1872 by Delano & Sons. In 1875 it
was sold out to the Lake Champlain Manufacturing Company. The machinery
was taken out in 1 879 to make a place for the first pulp-mill. There was not
sufficient power at this point for the new industry, and a new company was
organized and the machinery removed to the works of the Ticonderoga Pulp
Company ; the former sash and door machinery was then replaced in the fac-
tory and sold to Mr. Ives, as stated.
One of the new branches of manufacture to which we have merely alluded
as likely to prove of great benefit to the town, is the production of pulp for
paper and the making of paper itself The second-growth forest that springs
up in many localities to the westward of Lake Champlain is a species of poplar,
which is admirably adapted for working into the pulp which has within a com-
paratively brief period become a staple in the manufacture of paper. The Ti-
conderoga Pulp Company, the first of the kind in town, was organized chiefly
through the efforts of Clayton H. Delano, one of the representative business
men of the town. The Lake Champlain Manufacturing Company, to which we
have alluded, was also organized by him, and the Pulp Company was its suc-
cessor. Mr. Delano made himself familiar with the processes of pulp manu-
facture as carried on at other points, and believed that Ticonderoga was just
the place to carry on the business profitably. He inspired others with the
same faith, and the company was organized and their extensive water rights
purchased in 1877. The manufacture was started at first for the production
of what is known as ground wood pulp by mechanical means. This business
was continued about five years, when the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Com-
pany was organized with a capital of $80,000, which is increased in 1882 to
$150,000, and the franchises of the old company passed to the new one; at
the same time the manufacture of pulp was begun by chemical means. In
428 History of Essex County.
1884 the large paper-mill of the company was erected and one of the finest
Foudrinier machines put in at a cost of $20,000. This mill was started
March 1st, 1885. The company now employ? about lOO hands; uses thirty
cords of wood per day, and produces eight tons of chemical pulp and six tons
of book and writing paper per day. About one-half of the pulp is sold to
other mills and the other half worked up. About $8,000 a month is paid out
by the company; the wood delivered at the mill brings $4.50 per cord. The
present officers of the company are C. H. Delano, president ; Cyrus Jennings,
vice-president; C. E. Bush, treasurer; M. R. Hack, secretary.
In 1877 George C. Weed, A. T. Weed and James C. Mclntyre began the
manufacture of what is known as dry pulp, used to some extent in the manu-
facture of paper, but more extensively in the production of giant powder,
nitro- glycerine, etc. A stave factory belonging to Mr. Weed was used for the
incipient business. The industry continued to 1884, but had declined in im-
portance and the works burned. Before this occurrence and about 1880, a
mill was built for the manufacture of mechanical pulp for paper, which was sold
largely to the mills in Fort Edward. About ten hands were employed and a
product of two tons in twenty-four hours was made. In 1882 the Lake George
Pulp and Paper Company was formed, with George C. Weed as president ; W.
I. Higgins, secretary ; and John Lambert, superintendent. This company took
possession of the property, erected a paper-mill, and worked up their own pulp
product, with additions from other factories. About four tons of paper are
now made in twenty-four hours.
Glens Falls Pulp Company. — This company began business in 1879, be-
ing composed of Jonathan M. Coolidge, George W. Lee, T. S. Coolidge and
W. W. D. Jeffers ; these gentlemen are prominent Glens Falls business men,
with the exception of Mr. Jeffers. The machines for the manufacture of pulp
then cost a heavy royalty ; but Mr. Jefifers secured patents for devices which
were successfully used up to 1884, producing about twelve tons of mechanical
pulp per week. In October, 1884, the company bought the property of the
Lake George Cotton Manufacturing Company, exclusive of machinery ; this
cotton factory had been established some ten years previously, but was not a
successful enterprise ; the machinery was finally taken out and sent to Lowell,
Mass. The Pulp Company now occupied the cotton factory building, and had
secured from J. Q. A. Treadway and others a large undeveloped water power.
Improved Brokaw machinej-y for the manufacture of wet pulp was put in,
which will turn out a product of six tons per day ; this goes largely to the
Glens Falls Paper Company. The Pulp Company now own a water power of
about ninety- eight feet in gross, and capable of propelling extensive works.
The custom grist-mill of S. J. Moore & Son was built by them in 1879-80.
The mill now operated by Merchant & Wilbur was formerly a plaster-mill. A
grist-mill was built adjoining many years ago, which was taken by this firm in
Town of Ticonderoga. 429
September, 1883, and was burned in November of that year. The plaster-mill
with one run of stone was then changed for grinding feed. A new flouring-
mill will be erected soon.
Mr. Cook mentions among early blacksmiths of the town Levi and Samuel
Cole of the Upper Village as probably the first in the town, except those who
may have been connected with its military occupants. Michael Spicer, Chel-
lis Johnson and Dyer Beckwith were blacksmiths in the town as early as 1800.
In 1805 there were Eleazer Spears, Benona Thornton, Oliver Ormsbey, Peter
Atherton, E. Sherman, and Samuel Dow, who was a brother of the famous
preacher. Levi and Samuel Cole built a trip-hammer forge on the north side
of the lower falls. John Porter with his sons, and John Pinchin and his sons,
have been prosperous blacksmiths of the town. The elder Pinchin came to
the place in 18 19. We have alluded to the two blacksmith shops built by
Wilson & Calkins and Bishop & Austin, and their rivalry, which gave quite an
impetus to that branch of mechanics. The Port Henry Iron Company built in
the year 1847 seven canal boats and a schooner at Ticonderoga, and most of
their irons were fitted on the anvils of the Lower Village. Nelson Porter told
Mr. Cook he had often seen thirty horses at the door of his brother's shop
waiting to be shod, and double crews worked night and day in order to turn
off the work, from 1838 to 1846. C. P. Sawyer worked at this business at the
" Back Street," Tolman and T. D. Spicer on Chilson hill, Silas Gibbs at
Weedsville, L. Thatcher at the Lower Village, and Hopkins Norton at the
upper falls.
The Press. — The Ticonderoga Sentinel was established in February, 1873,
by Martin Tobin ; it was a small sheet of course. He conducted it three years
and eight months. In February, 1877, R. R. Stevenson took possession of
the establishment and conducted the paper until August,. 1883, enlarging it in
the mean time to eight columns to the page, and otherwise improving it. In
August, 1883, J. E. Milholland took possession of the establishment and
changed the form of the paper to a quarto, as at present. In March, 1885, he
sold out to Thomas R. Kneil, who is making the paper a successful and popu-
lar journal.
In the spring of 1880 a paper called the Eagle was started by A. D. Cady.
It lived about a year and was suspended. Merrick Brothers then took the
material and published a paper called the Lake George Herald ; in three
months J. L. McArthur took it and conducted it a year under the same name,
when it was changed to the Ticonderogian. A year later it passed into pos-
session of William H. Tippetts, who ran it to September, 1883, when Mr. Mil-
holland purchased it and consolidated it with his paper.
The Ticonderoga Water Works Association. — The frequent and severe
losses of the village by fires made the subject of an adequate water supply one
of prime importance, and finally led to the incorporation of a company. It was
430 History of Essex County.
accomplished in 1873, by the following named gentlemen: George C. Weed,
B. W. Burleigh, C. H. Delano, A. M, Pond, H. C. Burleigh, William E. Calk-
ins, D. M. Arnold, William S. Fleming, E. A. Prescott, A. O. Ameden, C. P.
Ives, William Hooper, and George E. Marshall. The water works were con-
structed, taking the water from the outlet just above the falls, and bringing it
to the village in direct pipes. Water was turned on just after the great fire.
The company became somewhat embarrassed and the stock was pledged to
the Orwell bank and finally passed to the possession of Charles E. Bush.
There are now seven fire hydrants in the village and a few private hydrants.
The water is liberally patronized and the people have on several occasions
been saved from severe loss by fire since the works were put in operation.
The stock is now $20,000.
The officers of the water company are : J. B. Ramsay, president ; C. E.
Bennett, superintendent and secretary ; C. E. Bush, treasurer. These, with
O. Rowell, E. T. Downs, Samuel Wear, and T. J. Treadway, are directors.
William E. Calkins was the heaviest stockholder on the start and presi-
dent of the company up to 1884.
Defiance Hose Company was organized since the water company began
operations. The present foreman is D. J. Gilligan ; John Riley, captain ; H.
D. Spicer, secretary. The company is well equipped, its property having been
purchased with funds raised by subscription and by the giving of various en-
tertainments which have been generously patronized by the citizens.
The Opera House. — In the year 1875, after the great fire, Frederick Weed
erected the handsome opera house of the Lower Village. Its cost, with the
building in which it is located, was about $20,000. It has a stage eighteen by
twenty-four feet, four hundred chairs, and will seat six hundred people. It is
a credit to the place.
Schools. — We have given a description of some of the vicissitudes that
awaited the efforts of the pioneer school teachers in this town, as well as in
other parts of the county. In alluding to the early schools of this town, we
must again fall back upon the work of Mr. Cook in 1858. He says : " Among
the early settlers of the town not a few were men of education themselves, and
these, deeply imbued with regard for the district schools which had been one
of the first objects of attention in New England towns from which they had
chiefly emigrated, early sought here the same advantages for their children.
Again, during the activity of the lumber trade the vigor of effort in that de-
partment seemed to be imparted to the.supervision of education also, and some
excellent select schools were enjoyed. Next, as academies rose round Ticon-
deroga in the State, many of the young men and some of the young ladies of
the town were sent abroad to enjoy their privileges. Lastly, an important
movement was made to supply the home wants and improve the town in the
founding of the Ticonderoga Academy. Such are the four periods in the edu-
cational history of Ticonderoga.
Town of Ticonderoga. 431
"The first school-houses built between 1790 and 1800 were warmed by-
large open fire-places. Children of the present generation would be some-
what startled to be sent to school in the morning with a large dog to keep off
the bears, to study all day by the crackle of great back-sticks and fore-sticks and
the nibbling of snow against the narrow window panes, to hear the howling of
wolves as the mistress called the roll at dusk, and to see her take down a heavy
rifle or musket, perched all day above the door, to guard the way home. Such,
however, were the scenes in 1800 in many a backwoods district school.
"Somewhat later a second class of school-houses was built; they were
nearly all planned with an entry in one corner ; a single tier of elevated desks
running around the four sides for the larger scholars ; in front of these a low
seat for the little children, and a large square space, the master and the stove,
in the middle. Nothing could have been less economical of heat except open
doors and windows, and when time began to loosen the clapboards, shake
apart the window frames, jar open the ceiling, and heave asunder the founda-
tions of these old houses, it was one man's full work to keep them warm.
" About 1850 by the efforts of school superintendents, commissioners and
trustees, the districts were aroused and several new district school-houses were
built of an improved style. The houses at the Street, the Upper Village, and in
Trout brook valley built about this time were of this character.
" Of select schools it may be stated generally that Ticonderoga has en-
joyed their discipline nearly every year from 1820 to the present time (1858),
[a statement that may now be extended to the present time.] The teachers
have usually been well qualified, many of them college graduates. Among
the teachers' names which we have been able to recover in the absence of
records pertaining to these schools, are those of Miss Hemmenway, of Bridport,
who taught a ladies' school at the Upper Village previous to 1820; Amasa
Stewart, a graduate of Middlebury College, teaching in 1820 in the second
story of the old red grist-mill at the lower falls ; Mr. Beebee, from Chester, who
about 1826-27, taught in the house now occupied by Mr. Barber (1858) ; Rev.
Burt, an Episcopal clergyman, teacher from about 1827 to 1830 ; Joseph De-
lano, a teacher previous to 1830."
Of those teachers of select schools who became permanent citizens of the
town, Mr. Cook continues,' relative to William Calkins, father of Colonel Wil-
liam E. Calkins: "After a two years' course of study at Dartmouth College and
experience as a teacher at Burlington, Waterbury, and Stowe, Vt., and White-
hall, N. Y., he came to Ticonderoga in 1831 and for several years was teacher
of a large district school at the Upper Village. In 1833 he established a select
school at the same place with about fifty scholars from all parts of the town,
which he continued up to 1835, when he removed to the Lower Village and
began the practice of law. As commissioner, and by virtue of that office under
the old law, inspector and also as superintendent for many years in succession.
432 History of Essex County.
he remained always actively devoted to the educational interests of the town, and
perhaps did more in that direction than any other citizen. All of the children,
all the families of the town, lost a friend by his death in 1855." Dr. John
Smith, as commissioner and superintendent, always took a profound interest in
educational interests down to the time of his death in 1869. Captain L. C.
Larrabee, Hon. J. Burnett, Colonel William E. Calkins, William H. Cook, W.
A. G. Arthur, the Delano families, and many others have been prominent in
this direction.
" Several excellent select schools were kept in the Spencer building on
Exchange street, between 1837 and 1850. The first teacher there was Lucia
Calkins (sister of Colonel Calkins) ; one of the most prosperous terms was
that taught by Mr. Barker and his wife. Abner Benedict, later an eminent
lawyer in New York city, was a successful teacher next after Mr. Barker. In
what was known as the Son's Hall, in the Exchange, in the brick store and
under the former store of Mr. Fields, a large number of select schools were
taught, many of them by young ladies of the town, and none of them without
an excellent and beneficial influence. An excellent select school was taught
by George W. Barrows in the period mentioned — later, Rev. G. W. Barrows,
pastor of the Congregational Church of Salisbury, Vt., for about eighteen years,
and pastor of the Congregational Church at Elizabethtown, Essex county,
N. Y., about the same length of time up to his death in 1881. Mr. Bar-
rows married Lucia Calkins, above named, who died about 1863, and subse-
quently her sister, who still survives him.
The Academy. — The inception of the Ticonderoga Academy was due to
the Rev. Joseph Cook, who took the first steps that led to its establishment, in
January, 1858. He was then teaching school at the " Back Street," and when
he had become imbued with the necessity of a higher school in the town he
communicated with W. H. Cook and E. Downs first, and later with others, by
whom the idea was enthusiastically endorsed. He accordingly drew up the
following paper as embodying the propositions for establishing the institution
and the arguments in its favor : —
" Formation Paper for a High School or Academy in Ticonderoga, N. Y.
" It is believed that Ticonderoga (i) needs a good high school, and (2) that
the town is able to support one.
"I. The number of young men and women in our district schools ; the
amount spent yearly in sending children from our town to other places for in-
struction ; the uncertain and inferior privileges offered by our present select
schools ; the desire of parents for some institution near home less expensive
and permanent and worthy, in which their children can receive that education
fitted to the growing demands of the age, are among the considerations which
show the need of the propo'sed high school, not to mention how much such
an institution would restrain social evils, strengthen moral reforms, elevate
Town of Ticonderoga. 433
courteous tastes, invigorate public sentiment, and favor tlie financial interests of
the town.
" II. To show the ability of the town to support such a school, the above
necessity is to be first considered ; then the wealth and enterprise of the town;
the number of its young men and women ; its location in the center of a large
district unsupplied with any but district schools ; its situation upon the very
thoroughfare of fashionable travel ; the attractiveness which an institution,
otherwise unworthy, might acquire abroad, from standing on Burgoyne's Mount
Hope, facing the Green Mountains and overlooking the ouflet of Lake George,
the scene of Abercrombie's defeat, Mount Defiance, and the ruins of Fort
Ticonderoga ; the success of similar institutions ; the plan of financial support
hereinafter proposed ; the power of wise, united and persevering effort in a
good cause, from which considerations it will appear that in starting the pro-
posed institution there would be no extraordinary obstacle, but nearly every
ground for confidence in beginning and surety in executing a permanent suc-
cess.
" Therefore, it is proposed, by the favor of Providence, to take measures
for founding and sustaining a pe^^manent and worthy high school or academy in
Ticonderoga, N. Y., after the following plan :
" Citizens of the town shall be stockholders of the institution to incur first
all expenses of starting the school, and to receive in return all of the proceeds
arising from tuition or board furnished by the establishment, from which teach-
ers' salaries and all other outgoes necessary for the worthiest support of the
school shall be paid, and the surplus, if any, distributed rightfully to the stock-
holders as a revenue. Shares shall be transferable, in case of the removal of
the holders from town, always, however, to citizens of Ticonderoga. A com-
petent board of trustees and directors shall be chosen to oversee and regulate,
under the guidance of a constitution and by-laws, the business matters and
various interests of the institution."
This plan and a subscription paper were presented to prominent citizens of
the town and the enterprise was liberally supported. Russell Ely was the
first to subscribe, taking $100 in stock, with the only provision that there
should be " no sham, no failure." D. S. Gibbs, G. D. Clark, Messrs. Kimpton,
Phelps, Grant, B. P. Delano, T. Delano, D. McCaughin were next called upon
by Mr. Cook, and a thousand dollars were pledged to the undertaking on the
first day. A public meeting was called at Tefft's Hotel for February loth,
1858, to further consider the subject. The meeting was attended by the lead-
ing men of the town ; the shares of stock were placed at $25 each and a formal
paper drawn up for subscriptions. B. P. Delano, Russell Bly, A. J. Cook, W.
H. Cook and William E. Calkins were appointed a committee to propose size,
cost and site of the proposed building, and William E. Calkins, W. A. G. Ar-
thur and G. D. Clark a committee to solicit subscriptions. On the adjourn-
28
434 History of Essex County.
ment $1,400 dollars had been subscribed, which was raised to $2,000 by the
date of the next meeting. This was held on the i8th, and William E. Calkins
reported from the committee on the site of the building in favor of a spot
"just south of the summit of Mount Hope, overlooking Lake Champlain, the
fort grounds. Mount Defiance, the creek and the two villages." This site was
adopted and the plan of the building in general to be like that of the Whitehall
Academy. On motion of William E. Calkins, the stockholders proceeded to
formal organization as the "Ticonderoga Academy Association."
At a meeting on March 8th the number of trustees was fixed at nine and
the following gentlemen were appointed : Benjamin P. Delano, William G.
Baldwin, William H. Cook, Benjamin H. Baldwin, Russell Bly, William E.
Calkins, G. D. Clark, H. G. Burleigh and George Grant. The latter declined
and his place was filled by the election of George C. Weed. It now developed
that the proposed site, which was the property of the Orwell Bank, could not
be purchased without the whole tract of land belonging to it was also bought ;
meanwhile an offer had been made by the " EUice party " of a free site for the
institution on the south side of the creek. Therefore, at a meeting held on the
1st of April, the following motion made by Mr. Joseph Cook was carried : " In
view of the failure to obtain a site on Mount Hope ; in view of Xhe preference of
districts containing a majority of the scholars of the town ; in view of the cost
of any other location ; and in view of the fact that this land is a free gift to the
association by Mr. Ellice, through his agent, that the stockholders do fix upon
lot No. 6 and a part of lot No. 8 of block No. 6, as represented on the donor's
map, these lots containing about one acre and lying in the woods between the
present premises of H. G. Burleigh and William E. Calkins, for the location of
the proposed academy." This resolution was reconsidered at the meeting of
April 17th, and preference given to what was called the "Snow site" on the
north side of the creek, the vote being twenty-nine to twenty-five in favor of
the latter ; but this action was so distasteful to the residents on the south side
of the creek, that the whole undertaking seemed likely to go by default, and
after several somewhat stormy meetings the trustees agreed, May 1 2th, to call
the stockholders together once more and pledged themselves " to carry out the
will of the majority of said meeting." The vote taken on this occasion resulted
in a majority of two for the Snow site. But the residents of the south side
still declined to go ahead with the enterprise if that site was to be occupied,
and several weeks of delay, discussion, ridicule of the project and almost de-
spair on the part of those who really desired what was best for the whole town,
succeeded, the details of which would be out of place here. Finally while the
small majority believed that the site on the north side of the creek was the
just one under the circumstances, they yielded to expediency and the Ellice gift
was accepted. A contract for the erection of the building was finally closed by
the building committee, G. D. Clark, G. C. Weed and William E. Calkins ; the
Town of Ticonderoga. 435
structure was to be 36 by 56 feet, to cost $2,300 and to be finished by Novem-
ber isth, 1858. C. P. Fobes, of Crown Point, and Benjamin Cheney, of Ti-
conderoga, were the contractors. The corner stone was laid on the 21st day
of August and the building erected as planned.
Dr. Samuel Abbott was the first principal of the academy and continued
in that office for several years and with gratifying success. He was succeeded
by Benjamin Wormelle, Rev. Mr. Severance, Dr. Eddy, now of Middlebury,
and John C. Earl, now of Whitehall. The institution promised success, but
for various reasons, chief among which was perhaps the limited population on
which it could draw for patronage, it gradually declined to 1871, when the
Union Free School system was organized and the trustees leased the academy
building to the new corporation for ninety-nine years at $50 a year, which
makes it practically a gift. The building was enlarged in 1881 and otherwise
improved at a cost of $4,000, and furniture costing $500 put in. Four dis-
tricts are united in the Union system and there are two other school-houses.
A new house at Weedsville was erected in 1884 at a cost of $2,500. L. S.
Packard is the present principal of the Union School ; Edith R. Potts, assistant ;
and Jennie McVeigh, Hattie Millington, Ida S. Bacon, Ida Weed, Lizzie Mc-
Cambridge and Maud Royce, teachers.
Board of Education — William E. Calkins, president, Thomas A. Riley,
William Hooper, John C. Fenton, secretary, Orlando Rowell, B. W. Bur-
leigh, James H. Bailey, W. W. D. Jeffers and Dorus C. Bascom.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church. — The Congregational society was organized in
1809, but from then until 18 19 no records are found to show what was done,
except that from 18 10 Revs. Abial Jones, Chapin and Ball preached occa-
sionally. In 1 8 19, aided by the Baptists and Episcopals, they built on Mount
Hope, about a mile from the village, a large wood house for a union church.
From that time to 1839 the structure was used in part by the three societies,
and the names of Revs. Stone, Manly, Wilder, Brown, Kinney, Tuttle,
Baldwin, Miner and Cady appear as pastors, staying a year or more each.
In 1839 Rev. Jedediah Burchard, an evangelist of note, came to town,
and a wonderful revival, that affected all churches, followed. In 1840 Rev.
Mr. Bailey was pastor ; 1843, D. Gibbs. In that year, by the united efforts of
Deacon John Harris and a few others, the building was removed from Mount
Hope across the fields to the top of a knoll near the center of the village,
completely repaired, and a fine bell placed in the tower. From 1843 to 1850
the pulpit was supplied by Revs. Howe, Schermerhorn, Woodruff", Haynes
and Eastman; from 1850 to 1852, Rev. Henry Merrick. A destitution
then followed for three years ; then Rev. D. N. Gould came till 1858, at which
time there were about sixty members. Rev. Ashel Bronson, an aged
divine, was pastor for a short time, but the church was rapidly declining.
436 History of Essex County.
For about six years there was but little if any service. In 1 866 Rev. Mr.
Holmes came and reorganized the church, and a great revival was experienced.
Then for a number of years they again depended on occasional service by
some near-at-hand pastor. In 1871-72 Rev. Mr. Danforth did much
good work here. In 1873 Rev. Mr. Price came and set about raising
funds for a church. A site large enough for church and parsonage was pur-
chased on the east side of Lake George avenue for $600. During 1874 the
church was built, and dedicated on December 17th, 1874, Rev. Harvey
Ketchel, D. D., of Middlebury, Vt., preaching the sermon. Mr. Price was
followed by Rev. T. W. Jones, who brought the church into a much bet-
ter state. By his efforts a heavy debt was cleared and the church re-dedicated.
Rev. Mr. Lansing succeeded him ; then came Rev. N. P. Bake, who was
pastor during four years, and on Sunday evening, March 22d, 1885, closed
his labors. The church is at present without a pastor. Present valuation of
property, $10,000. Present deacons, Mr. R. R. Stev^enson and Dr. Groves ;
trustees, C. H. Delano, Martin Shattuck, Professor Packard, Mr. Roberts
and E. D. Downs.
The present membership' is ninety-five. A Sabbath-school has been held
at various times, but in 1872 it was organized according to its present system
and has been kept up ever since. Martin Shattuck is present superintendent.
The average attendance is nearly ninety.
Baptist Church. — There were some Baptists among the first settlers of
this town who belonged to the Baptist Church of Shoreham, Vt. In 1820
their numbers had so increased that they organized as the First Baptist Church
of Ticonderoga, with twenty- seven members. May 24th, 1820, a council of
pastors and brethren from the Baptist Churches of Shoreham, Cornwall, Mid-
dlebury and Bristol, Vt., convened. Elder Henry Green was moderator and
Elder Isaac Becklin, clerk. The following are the names of the original
membership from the church in Shoreham who were then residents of this
town : Robert Hammond, Ruamah Hammond, Nathaniel Miller, Aura Miller,
Philip Smith, Rebecca Smith, Chester Church, Lavina Church, Jane Phelps,
Lois Smith, Polly Swinton, Sarah Bennet, Calvin Stewart, Lucy Stewart, The-
odorus Ferris, and Emeline Burrows ; by letter, Giles Phqlps and Silas Mills ;
by baptism, Matilda Church, Hannah Rogers, Daniel Bennet, Mary Flemming,
Ira Waste, Thomas Rogers, Elias Archer, Sarah L. Bennet and Minerva Skin-
ner. The recognition service was conducted by Elder Isaac Becklin, of Mid-
dlebury, Vt., the other visiting ministers taking part. Calvin Stewart was or-
dained first deacon ; was also first clerk. For seventeen years they had no par-
ticular place of worship, but met in school-houses and private houses. During
that time they had no regular pastor, but the records show the names of Elders
Stearns, Mott, Lane, Husford, Hastings, Chamberlain, Fuller, Barker, Scho-
field and Wescott, as having preached to them now and then. The Baptists
Town of Ticonderoga. 437
contributed largely to the building of the Union Church and held alternate
service once in two weeks with the Congregationalists. In 1834 Elder Sidney
A. Estes became the first settled pastor. During his four years' stay a large
lot was purchased on South Main street and a handsome brick church built.
It was dedicated early in 1837. He was followed by Elder James De Laney,
and Elder Thomas Brandt. Elder Jacob Huntington spent three years and
raised the required sum to free the church from a heavy debt. In 1847 El-
der Addison Laine was pastor; 1850, Elder Thomas Morley; 1854, Elder
Stephen Wright; i860, Rev. Edward Ashton. During his stay he was or-
dained and the society built a fine parsonage. In 1865, Rev. A. J. Allen ; dur-
ing his stay the society spent several thousand dollars in completely rebuilding
this church and completing the parsonage. In 1874, Rev. J. J. Muir, whose
pastorate was marked by a large increase of membership; 1876, Rev. A. J.
Wilcox; 1878, Rev. E. B. Jones, who was ordained here and under whose
pastorate large additions were received; 1880, Rev. W. Gussman ; 1883,
Rev. A. McGeorge, the present pastor. During his stay the church has again
been remodeled and repaired, a large session room added in the rear and mod-
ern furnaces put in. A large addition to the membership has also been re-
ceived. Total membership 533; present membership 151. Valuation of
property $10,000. Present deacons, B. F. Frazier, J. B. Ramsey. Deacon
W. H. Cook died March 19th, 1885. Clerk, J. B. Ramsey; trustees, G. D.
Wright, Lyman C. Drake and Orlando Rowell.
Previous to the year 1865 the Baptist Sunday-school was maintained at in-
tervals only ; the sessions when held in the summer season depending on the
weather and the disposition of those who spent the hour of intermission before
the afternoon sermon. Rev. A. J. Allen assisted in the organization of the
Sunday-school on its present system. It is now one of the most flourishing
in the county. There are no historical records of the school, but we find the
names of Baldwin, Fields, Frazier, Ramsey, Cook, Fleming and E. B. Jones
as the superintendents. Rev. A. McGeorge is the present superintendent.
The average attendance is one hundred.
Episcopal Church. — Older than the town itself is the Protestant Episcopal
Society of this town. In 1800 this form of worship was established, nearly all
of the prominent citizens of the town becoming members. Services were held
at the school-houses at the Upper and Lower Villages and at the hotel of
James Tefft. . On the subsequent visitation of a bishop one of the churches
was secured. From 181 5 to 18 19 Rev. Stephen Jewett, missionary at
Hampton and Granville, N. Y., visited Ticonderoga and held service. In
1816, October 23d, the society reorganized as St. Paul's P. E. church. In 1819
the society assisted the Congregational Society in building the union church
on Mount Hope, and held their services there for several years. From 18 19
to 1824 Rev. Moses Burt, a teacher at the Upper Village, officiated as
438 History of Essex County.
rector, and in 1825 became resident rector, till 1829. For ten years onward
no regular service was held ; there was occasional service by visiting clergy-
men, and the church almost disbanded.
In 1839 Rev. Palmer Dyer, rector of St. Paul's Church, Whitehall,
N. Y., came to town, and on May 15th, 1839, again reorganized the church and
changed the parish name from St. Paul's to the " Church of the Cross." The
wardens were Jonathan Burnet and Lucius Larrabee, with Robert Bryan,
John McAllister, James Tefft, G. W. Prime, E. N. Hyde, Bush Fitch, William
Baldwin and G. B. Fitch as vestrymen. From then onward the names of
Revs. Cleaveland, Davis and Wadhams (now Bishop Wadhams of the
R. C. Church) appear on the records. Between 1840 and 1845 measures were
taken to build a church. A site was presented to them in a fine location at
the upper falls by Mr. EUice of England. Stone and timber were drawn to
the spot, but the work was never accomplished. From 1845 to 1869 was
another period of rest to the society; no services, except occasional supply.
In 1869 Rev. F. N. Luzon, of Trinity Church, Whitehall, came to town
and revived the society. The second time the question of building a church
was brought up. Soon $800 was raised and a site purchased from Mr. G. C.
Weed, on the west side of South Main street. The corner stone was laid
September 3d, 1869, by the Bishop of Albany. He was followed by F. H.
Stubbs, then a deacon. Rev. William Ogden for a few months was a
temporary supply. While he was here the church was finished and first occu-
pied on Advent Sunday, 1870. Rev. Mr. Stubbs then returned to the
parish and remained three years. Rev. Mr. Ogden was rector two
years ; Rev. Mr. McElroy, rector three years ; Rev. Mr. Cook, rector four
years. The present rector is J. E. Bold, who came here as deacon;
was ordained to the rectorship of the parish. In 1876 the society built a par-
sonage, but soon after sold it to free themselves of debt.
In January, 1 884, the church was burned directly after morning service.
Early the following June the society commenced to rebuild on a larger scale
and purchased more land. In February, 1885, their new church was ready
for use. The valuation of the church property is about $9,000. Present
wardens, J. C. Fenton and D. C. Bascom ; vestrymen, H. C. Burnet, C. Bald-
win, W. G. Baldwin, B. W. Burleigh, L. Malcolm, F. Ives, C. C. Cook and
Morton Butler ; John C. Fenton, clerk. Present membership is ninety-four
communicants. Sabbath-school has been maintained at various times, and at
the present a regular school exists with an average of fifty members.
Methodist Episcopal Church.— The historical record of the Methodist
Church seems to have been lost or destroyed if ever there was any kept ; but
little aside from the list of preachers can be found. The circuit through Ticon-
deroga was formed in 1 8 1 1 , and embraced that town and a part of Hague, Warren
county, and at later periods a part of Schroon, Crown Point, Moriah and
Town of Ticonderoga. 439
Westport. From 181 1 to 1858 the following preachers have resided in the
town, their average residence being one year: 1811, John Haskins, first
preacher; 18 12, Timothy Miner; 1813, John B. Stratton ; 1 8 14, Jacob Bee-
man ; 1815, J. S. Adams; 1816, Moses Amidon; 1817, Phineas Doane ; 1818,
Eli Barnet; 18 19, Seymour Landon; 1820, James Covel ; 1 821, Seymour
Landon ; 1822, Ibri Cannon; 1823, Orrin Pier ; 1824— 25, Solomon Stebbins ;
1826, Asa Bushnell; 1827, Orrin Pier, A. Bushnell and Cyrus Meeker; 1828-
29, Cyrus Meeker; 1830-31, Samuel Eighmey ; 1832, Amos Hazleton ;
1833, Alanson Richards; 1834-35, U. R. Coleman; 1836, A. S. Cooper and
William Hickman; 1837, A. S. Cooper; 1838, Alberd Champlin ; 1839,
Albert and Alpheus Wade ; 1840,0. S. Palmer and E. Noble ; 1841, G. S.
Palmer and Ira Holmes; 1842, A. Jones and W. H. Hall; 1843, Peter H.
Smith; 1844, R. H. Robinson; 1845-46, L. D. Sherwood; 1847-48, S. W.
Clemmens ; 1849-50,0. H. Townsend ; i85i,J. H. Burnham ; 1852-53, R.
M. Taylor; 1854-56, ; 1857-58, L. H. Beaudry ; 1858, A. J. Ingalls.
No church had yet been built by the Methodists. The school-houses at
the Upper Village, Chilson Hill, Warner Hill, the Back Street and "Juffer-
town," served for meetings, and interesting revivals occurred at various periods.
From 1858 to 1869 the church was under the Crown Point charge and was
served at times by ministers from there.
In 1870 Rev. William Mooney came to town and began the task of rais-
ing funds for the erection of a church. During 1870-71 a site was purchased
on West Exchange street and a chapel built at the totakcost of $3,500. The
successive pastors since have been Revs. J. L. Slason, J. H. Stewart, S. W. Edger-
ton, Hitchcock, Baskerville, Jesse Brown, and E. J. McKernon, who is the
present pastor. In June, 1882, the corner stone of a chapel at Street Road,
two miles out from the village, was laid on a site presented to them by a Con-
gregational deacon. A neat wood chapel was built costing $1,800, and dedi-
cated on October 2d, 1882. Regular service is held there by the village pas-
tor, as it belongs to that charge. In the fall of 1884 the society completely
rebuilt their chapel in the village into a large and elegant church, adding a
session-room in the rear, and a fine bell, thereby expending several thousand
dollars upon it. The society own a parsonage on Lake Oeorge avenue. Their
present property is valued at about $7,'SOO. Present membership 135 in
full communion.
Till 1870 but feeble attempts were made to maintain a Sabbath-school.
Since then a regular school has existed; the present attendance is 109; super-
intendent at the village school, Frank Wier ; at Street Road, Altus Adkins,
with a membership of forty.
Rev. Hibbard Ingalls, a gentleman now eighty-three years old, a lifelong
resident of this town, has served the Methodist cause for over fifty years,
working during the week on his farm and on Sundays and evenings preaching
440 History of Essex County.
to some of the back districts. He is probably one of the oldest ministers in
the circuit. Last winter he attended a birthday donation party given in honor
of his eighty- third birthday in one of the districts where he had preached for
many years. After doing his farm work he walked several miles to the house,
attended the party and returned in the same manner.
Catholic Church . — Many years of the religious history of the town bear no
record of a Roman Catholic Church, but occasionally a missionary would hold
service or mass. Some time during the decade of 1830 Edward McCaughn,
a wealthy land owner on Mount Hope, built on his own farm a small chapel
for the use of the society. Services were held in it for a time and people
from the adjoining towns gladly availed themselves of the privilege of attend-
ing. No resident priest officiated, however, for some years. In 1848-49
measures were taken to erect a church and the funds raised. John McCor-
mick, one of the influential men, had secured from Mr. Ellice (the English
land holder of the town), the gift of a lot on what is now a sightly spot, on
Second street, and a church was built of wood and commodious in size. For
ten years following Rev. Father Michael Olivetti, of Whitehall, N. Y., held
monthly services here. In 1850 Father Harney became resident priest and
was followed in succession by Fathers Du Ross, Carrighor and Butler, the
present priest. The society is large, both French and Irish Catholics being
united in the one body. The church has never been completely repaired
although several times some money has been expended on it. About ten
years ago a neat parsonage was built adjoining the church. The present val-
uation of the property is about $4,500. A large Sunday-school is conducted
by the priests on Sunday afternoons. ^
Universalist Church. — The Universalist Church was never a perfectly
o;-ganized body in this town. There were quite a number of that faith, and
services were held occasionally during the early history of the town. In 18 ID
Rev. Mr. Kerog, of Shoreham, Vt, held services here and Rev. William Far-
well, of some place indefinitely stated as " New England," followed soon after.
Rev. Caleb Rich, of Shoreham, Vt., also occasionally preached ; then Rev.
Hozea Balleau. Rev. Kittridge Havens, of Shoreham, was an occasional
supply in later years. At no time has regular Sabbath service through the
year been held. Their services were held in places most convenient until
1 84 1, when a building was purchased and made over at considerable expense
into a church. After a few years the membership rapidly diminished and time's
destroying hand threw the mantle of annihilation over the church and its so-
ciety as an organization.
1 For many years past and at the present time there is a remarkable feeling of friendliness and
sympathy given by the Catholics toward the Protestant churches, particularly to the Baptists. The
present priest is a great worker in the temperance cause.
Town of Willsborough. 441
CHAPTER XXIX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WILLSBOROUGH.
THE town of Willsborough, so named by and from William Gilliland, was
formed March 7th, 1788, at which time the old town of Crown Point was
divided. Willsborough then, in addition to the land now within its own limits,
embraced the territory now included in the towns of Lewis, Essex, Chester-
field, Jay, Wilmington, St. Armand, North Elba and a part of Peru and of
Keene, which was added to it in the division. Its original area was about 900
square miles. Jay was taken from it in 1798, Chesterfield in 1802, and Lewis
and Essex in 1805. Upon the formation of the county, in 1799, a portion of
Peru was re- annexed to the northern part of this town.
The country bounded by the limits of the town of Willsborough Hes upon
the shore of Lake Champlain, a little north of the center of Essex county.
The eastern portion of the town is low and level, or sloping gently, almost im-
perceptibly, down to the lake. Toward the west the surface grows more
broken and mountainous, until, in the extreme western part, the Willsborough
mountains proudly bear testimony, by their huge masses of towering rocks, to
some prehistoric volcanic upheaval. These mountains are a spur of the~Adiron-
dacks and are known as the Boquet range, extending from Perue bay south-
v^esterly to Fulton county. The highest elevation of this range is Dix Peak,
in Keene, 4,970 feet in height. They resist all efforts at cultivation, and ren-
der the entire western part of the town little better than a wilderness. To the
northwest Rattlesnake Mountain lifts its precipitous sides into acclivities which
in places are inaccessible. At its western base lies one of the favorite resorts
of sportsmen, made beautiful by the sparkling waters of Warm pond and Long
pond, and valuable by the fish that abound between their shores.
Through the southeastern corner of the town flows the Boquet river,
which irrigates' the valley which marks its course, and by its water power be-
stows upon the village of Willsborough the most important industries of which
her people boast. It is forty miles in length and flows into Lake Champlain,
a little south of the foot of Willsborough Point. It has its source in a gorge of
the Boquet mountain range, between Dix Peak and Mount Nipple Top, more
than three thousand feet above the level of the sea. From the same gorge the
Schroon river flows in the opposite direction into the Hudson. The origin of
the name has long been a disputed question. An early tradition attributed it
to General Boquet, a British general in the French wars, but there is little or
nothing for this theory to rest upon, as it is not known that he was ever con-
nected in any way with the Champlain valley. Another theory, more plausi-
442 History of Essex County.
ble, is that the name is descriptive of the abundance of flowers which cover
and adorn the banks of the river, and for that reason was given to it by Will-
iam Gilliland. Mr. Watson {Pioneer History, page 96, note) thinks the most
probable origin is found in the French word baquet, a trough, which he deems
highly descriptive of the stream below the falls.
This river is navigable a distance of several miles from its mouth. " A
part of Burgoyne's flotilla entered this stream and the legend states that he
used the trough referred to for the purpose of drilling his sailors in the manage-
ment of the bateaux." 1
The eastern part of the town presents a different variety of scenery. Wills-
borough Point juts out into Lake Champlain and forms the famous estuary,
called Perue or Willsborough bay. The name Perue bay can probably never
be traced to its origin, though it has been a subject of much curiosity and
research. An ingenious theory has been offered that the name must have been
derived from a French Monsieur Le Perue, who may have been attracted by
the beauty of the spot to locate a temporary residence there. At an early
period it was called Corlear's bay, from the fact that a Dutch philanthropist,
while on a mission to Canada in behalf of the Indians, perished beneath its
waters. ^
The point is in many places densely wooded, and has long been a favorite
resort for summer pleasure-seekers and valetudinarians, who have erected a
number of beautiful cottages. Along the shore of the lake and east of the
river the soil is formed principally of clay, while toward the interior and west
of the river it is a sandy loam. '
Resottrces of the Town. — No town in the county is more wealthy in its
general resources than Willsborough. The eastern half forms one of the most
fertile farming sections along the lake. The cereals and hay have been raised
here in great abundance, and for dairying and sheep-raising the locality cannot
be surpassed. Considerable blue limestone, susceptible of a high polish, has
been quarried here for ornamental and building purposes. Many of the most
prominent buildings now standing in the village of Willsborough were con-
structed of this material in early days, while the excellent quality of the stone
is attested by the interesting fact that from here was taken the material which
forms the foundation of the capitol at Albany and the anchors of the New York
and Brooklyn bridge. Quicklime and waterlime have been obtained from other
quarries in the town.
1 Anthony J. B. Ross, of Essex, offers the foUowmg valuable suggestion in this connection : " The
Raquette river, in the Adirondack wilderness, flowing to the St. Lawrence, was named about the same
time as the Boquet by a Frenchman (Parisian), from the resemblance of the morass or meadow at
its mouth to a snow-shoe, or raquette. It seems to have been the custom of early explorers to name
new places, rivers, etc., from striking natural resemblances to familiar objects about them. This you
will find throughout the hi.story of different places ; mountains, lakes, rivers and lands are so desig-
nated, not more by explorers than by aborigines. May not the analogy be referred to in this case, in
support of the theory that Bouquet or Boquet is a corruption of Baquet ? "
8 The name is now variously spelled Perue, Pereu, Perou, and Peru.
Town of Willsborough. 443
Iron is found in places, but all attempts at making the iron industry profit-
able in this town of late years have failed, owing, undoubtedly, to the great
cost of production and the insufficient quantity of ore in any one vein.
Settlement. — Willsborough was one of the earliest settled towns along the
lake. On the 8th day of June, 1765, William Gilliland and his colonial party
arrived at the mouth of the Boquet river, and Gilliland, in company with one
John Chislm, proceeded up the river to the falls. Chislm expressed the belief
that no mills could be erected at this point without the expenditure of more
time and money than the project promised to repay, and they returned in de-
jection to the party at the lake. On the next day he came a second time to
the falls in company with Robert Maclane, who confidently thought that mills
could be built there with ease and safety. On the lOth of June the whole party
landed at Camp Island,^ a short distance below the falls, and proceeded with-
out delay to the construction of Mr. Gilliland's house and the mills. .The site
of the house could still be pointed out but a few years ago. It was built of
logs cut forty-four feet by twenty-two feet. Mr. Watson, in his History of
Essex County, expresses the opinion that this was the first house erected by
civilized man on the western shore of Lake Champlain, between Canada and
Crown Point. Mr. Gilliland succeeded in establishing at this place a flourish-
ing colony before the Revolutionary War. He called it Milltown. It was
almost exterminated by the British during that war, and the incidents in its
history form one of the most thrilling of all romances that can be authenticated
as actual occurrences. The details of this man's romantic career, together with
a description of his splendid abilities, the brilliant promise of his efforts in this
county, and his melancholy end, can be found in earlier chapters of this work,
while a reference to his family and descendants is written in the history of the
town of Essex.
Although by virtue of the permanent influence of William Gilliland's work
in this town he may be termed its first settler, there is a traditioh of an earlier
visit paid to the mouth of the Boquet river by an Englishman named Wilson,
who came here with his wife, and two children, aged eight and ten years, and
landed at the famous flat rock. His wife died within the first three months of
their Hfe here, and he did not long survive her. The details of this tradition viv-
idly portray the sufferings of his two children, who buried their father in a grave
so shallow that the rain uncovered his feet, and who subsisted on fish and
berries until friends from New York heard of their destitution and secured
their conveyance to their English home.
This is merely tradition, but all the details of circumstances connected with
the biography of William Gilliland are taken from records which cannot be
disputed. The earliest authentic record extant of him in this town is now in
1 Camp Island still retains the name given it by Mr. Gilliland, though it is sometimes called Beulah's
Island.
444 History of Essex County.
the hands of Frederick Fairchild, in the shape of a release, on parchment, dated
November 8th, 1769, between James McBride, " late a sergeant in His Majesty's
Forty -seventh Regiment of Foot, of the one part, and William Gilliland, of
the city of New York, merchant, of the other part," which, in the quaint lan-
guage of the times, witnessed " that said James McBride, for and in considera-
tion of the sum of Thirty Pounds, lawful money of New York, to him in hand
paid by the said William Gilliland," etc., conveyed to the latter "all that cer-
tain tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being on the west side of Lake
Champlain in the County of Albany, within the Province of New York, begin-
ning at a pitch pine tree marked with the letters IB, which stands on the north
side of the mouth of the River Boquet, and runs thence along the said lake
north eighteen degrees east, sixteen chains. Then north twenty-five degrees
and thirty minutes east, nine chains and two rods. Then north fifteen degrees
west, twenty-six chains. Then north fifty-nine degrees west, thirteen chains.
Then from the said Lake west to the said River Boquet, and down the north side
of the River Boquet as it runs, to the place where the tract first began, con-
taining two hundred acres of land and the usual allowance for highways, and
all houses, out- houses, buildings, orchards, gardens, lands, meadows, commons,
pastures, feedings, trees, woods, underwoods, ways, paths, waters, water-
courses, easements, profits, commodities, advantages, emoluments, and hered-
itaments whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining," etc.
James McBride undoubtedly held these lands under a patent from the king
of Great Britain for military services, a system which is plainly one of the last
and most fundamental relics of feudalism which his majesty endeavored to en-
graft upon the colonies of the New World.
Mr. Fairchild has another instrument dated March 30th, 1791, by the
terms of which the title to the same land is transferred from John McAulay,
one of the grantees of William Gilliland, to Aaron Fairchild, grandfather to
Frederick Fairchild, above named. Since that date the Fairchild family have
retained the title and possession to the southern half of this tract, and Fred-
erick Fairchild now lives on the same farm.
On a beautiful, well-cultivated hill in the eastern part of this farm General
Burgoyne encamped in June, 1777, on his way to the defeat of Saratoga, and
made his famous treaty with the Indians, according to the terms of which they
took up savage arms against the Revolutionists. Indian arrow heads and
bullets are found there occasionally and must once have lain there in careless
abundance.
The country, of course, retained its primitive appearance some years into
the present century. Previous to 1790 there was no road north of the Boquet
river ; the only route over the Willsborough mountain was marked by blazed
trees. It extended to the Ausable river about three miles below the site of
Keeseville. From there a wood road had been opened in Plattsburg.
Town of Willsborough. 445
In 1790 Piatt Rogers constructed a road from Willsborough to Peru in
Clinton county, and built a bridge over the Boquet river on the site of the
present village qf Willsborough.
Among the other early settlers who came here prior to i §QO are Stephen Cuy-
ler, who appears to have come before the Revolutionary War; Aaron Fairchild,
mentioned above ; Jonathan Lynde, Melchor and John Hoffnagle, John and
William Morhous, Hooker Low, Stephen Taylor, Elisha Higgins, Peter Payne,
Daniel Collins, James King, Abraham Aiken, Thomas Stower, Daniel Sheldon,
Benjamin Vaughn, William Donaghy, Ely Vane, Daniel Hoskins, John W.
Southmade, John Cochran, jr., Ezekiel Lockwood, Benjamin Stafford, Joseph
Higgins, Joseph Sheldon, Thomas Pray, Benjamin Stewart and Edmund Shel-
don.
Of these a number, including Jonathan Lynde, Benjamin Vaughn, William
Donaghy, Benjamin Stafford, Benjaniin Stewart and Abraham Aiken, were
granted inn-keepers' licenses.
The year 1784 witnessed a very considerable immigration of pioneer fam-
ilies to this town. Joseph Sheldon, Abraham Aiken, John and Melchor Hoff-
nagle, John Morhous, and twelve other families, purchased land largely from
Gilliland and established homes along the Boquet river. It is stated that at
the first town meeting Melchor Hoffnagle was elected supervisor and Daniel
Sheldon town clerk. Daniel Sheldon is mentioned in the records of 1796-97,
and from 1799 to 1803 as supervisor from the old town. In 1798 Thomas
Stower is named as supervisor; John Morhous was town clerk for a number
of years preceding the beginning of the present century.
John Hoffnagle, father of Joseph Hoffnagle, who still lives in the High-
lands near the Chesterfield line, was born near Sandy Hill, Washington county,
N. Y., in 1777, and removed to Willsborough with his father, John, June 5th,
1784. The tract which they first occupied and cleared, and of which the farm
now possessed by Frank Hoffnagle was a part, contained six hundred acres of
land, and lay between the villa'ges of Essex and Willsborough. It was pur-
chased, probably early in 1784, by Melchor Hoffnagle, great grandfather to
the present venerable Joseph Hoffnagle. It was obtained from Melchor Hoff-
nagle by his son John Hoffnagle, who, as above stated, moved there in 1784
with his family, consisting of his children John, Michael, and Lois. Melchor
Hoffnagle was a German-. His name appears in some old legal papers as " Me-
licca." Joseph Hoffnagle was born in the house now occupied by Frank Hoff-
nagle, March 8th, 1798. On the ist day of January, 1823, he married Polly B.
Higby in the house just opposite his present residence on the east end of Warm
Pond. His mother was a Sheldon. The Hoffnagle, Morhous, Sheldon, and
Higby families, by continued intermarriages have become closely related, and
itTTaTbeen said that the bulk of the population of the town is comprised of
members of these families.
446 History of Essex County.
John Morhous came to Willsborough in the same boat with John Hoffnagle
in 1784, and settled on an adjoining tract of land. He was born in Saybrook,
Conn., and married Rosanna Hoffnagle. One son, Charles Morhous, born in
1798 is living still, about one and one-half miles west of Willsborough village.
Another son, Michael Morhous, father to Michael Morhous now living about
a mile south of the village, was born in June, 1789, and lived until March,
1882, when he died at the age of ninety-three at the farm now owned by his
son.
Just north of the early residence of the Hoffnagles, lived at the close of the
last century Joseph Sheldon and Abraham Aiken. Edmund and Daniel Shel-
don were sons of Joseph Sheldon, and Martin I. Aiken and Abraham Aiken,
jr., were sons of Abraham Aiken, sr.
The first inn-keepers in the town were Jonathan Lynde and Stephen Tay-
lor. The location of their taverns has not been ascertained. John Hoffnagle
kept the first store, about two miles north of the village of Essex, until 1805
or '06 when the building was converted into a school-house.
In 1800 George Throop and Levi Higby together built a forge on the site
of the present dismantled forge owned by Belden Noble. They kept it run-
ning until about 1820, and numerous successors have managed it nearly all
the time up to within a few years. It was destroyed by fire before 1820, but
immediately rebuilt by Throop & Higby. The legal title to the property
rested in William D. Ross from the beginning for many years.
In the early history of the region we find the lumber business to have been
very prominent. Prior to the opening of the canal between Troy and White-
hall in the latter part of 1823 the lumber market at Quebec received large sup-
plies from this town. Abraham Sheldon and Daniel Ross were probably the
most prominent lumber merchants in the early part of the century.
The material interests and prospects of the town have been greatly im-
proved by the construction of the railroad through it. The manufacturing
facilities have been so gready increased as to be practically beyond computa-
tion. The town had no lake commerce to be injured by the building of the
road, and hence can speak of the benefits it has derived therefrom without
qualification.
Reminiscences dating not earlier than 18 10 are abundant and trustworthy
in character. The shipping of lumber to Quebec was then most active, and
persons still living can remember seeing ten or twelve rafts of logs at a time
starting for the north. George Throop and Levi Higby kept a potash factory
in Willsborough village, just east of the store now occupied by Shedd & Rich-
ardson. It was the only one in this town until about 1830, when Abraham
Weldin sjtarted one on the east side of the river in the village.
In 1 810 there was a distillery east of where the Riverside House now
stands, owned and managed by Levi Higby. It partially suppHed the army
Town of Willsborough. 447
with whiskey in 18 12, and is said to have been the only one ever kept in
the town.
Daniel Sheldon owned a blacksmith-shop on the west side of the river
where William Lyon's shop now is. There was no shoe-shop here as early as
1 8 10, shoemaking and shoemending being done by a guild of itinerants, who
lived with each family in need of shoes until the family was supplied.
The town suffered rather more extensively than most of her neighbors
from the depredations of the enemy during the War of 18 12. The Boquet
river furnished a convenient and expeditious avenue for the small boats of the
British, and it is related that at one time they sailed up the river as far as
the falls.
They had with them two galleys and two barges, their errand being to
seize a quantity of flour which the government had deposited at the falls.
This was in 1813. They committed many depredations along the banks of
the river on private property. General Wadhams, of Westport, at the head
of a body of miHtia, repulsed them near the old encampment of General Bur-
goyne, nearly destroying the rear galley of the flotilla. The British thereupon
returned to the Isle aux Noix.
The cold months of 18 16 also affected this town in a manner more pleasant
in the memory than in the occurrence. In the summer of 18 17 wheat rose to
the prodigious price of three dollars a bushel, and was hard to obtain even at
that figure. Provisions of all kinds were very scarce. Many Willsborough
families were without bread for weeks. The mountains were all a wilderness,
sparsely inhabited by men who earned their livelihood by hard work from day
to day. During this bitter season they used to make and leech ashes in the
woods, and take them to William D. Ross, who paid for them in provisions
while provisions lasted, and then paid in cash. In some instances rye flour
was sold for eleven dollars a barrel.
In 1818 a tannery was built where the tannery of Allen & Ellsbury
now stands.
There were two saw-mills here in 18 10, one on one side of the river, near
the present site of the stone grist-mill, and the other on the site now occupied
by the saw-mill of Edmund S. Higby. The grist-mill of William D. Ross,
the same one now run by Abram Hoffnagle, was then the only one in
the town.
Two stores were kept in the village. The stone store now occupied by Shedd
& Richardson was built and kept in that year (18 10) by Throop & Higby. The
store which they occupied until they removed into the stone store was after-
wards kept by Stephen Cuyler. It stood on the west side of the river. In
1 8 10, or a short time previous thereto, Isaac Jones built a tavern on what is
now the site of the Riverside House. Levi Cooley also kept a sort of tavern
in a low building on the other side of the river.
448 History of Essex County.
A district school flourished in its own peculiar way here before 1810. In
that year the sceptre was probably swayed by one Mark Prindle. The school-
house was at first on the hill east of the stone store. In 18 14, the old struc-
ture having been burned, a new one was erected about twenty rods north-
east of it.
No church edifice having assumed existence, primitive worship was held in
this old school-house for many years.
By this time the " Point " had become quite thickly settled. Adam Patter-
son, William Stroud, Daniel Bacon, Samuel Barney, Hoskins, Jacob, Samuel
and K. Adsit (three brothers), and Truman Nash, all lived there. The only
descendant now known of any of these men is Buel D. Bacon, of Essex,
grandson of Daniel Bacon.
Paul B. Boynton, still living, came to Willsborough with his father. Job
Boynton, from Shelburne, Chittenden county, Vt., in 18 10. He was born at
Shelburne in 1808. His wife Rosamond was a daughter of Abraham Aiken,
who came here in 1784.
Stephen Cuyler married Charlotte Gilliland, daughter of William Gilliland,
and originally settled at the mouth of a brook which for years was known as
Cuyler brook. He died near the village of Essex on what is now the Noble
place. He left a son, John Cuyler, who died in August, 1839. John B. Cuy-
ler, the present supervisor from Willsborough, and son of John Cuyler, was
born April i8th, 1837, in Willsborough. He was brought on to the farm he
now owns, about two miles south of Willsborough, in 1840. He has in his
possession a half-length, life-sized portrait of William Gilliland, painted in 1879
by a New York artist, from which the engraving was made for this work.
Mrs. Eliza Higby, now residing in the village of Willsborough, was born
here in August, 1800. She was a daughter of Edmund Sheldon, who came
here in February, 1784. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Ann Haight.
Mrs. Higby is the widow of Levi Higby, who was born in this town in Sep-
tember, 1798. His father, also named Levi Higby, was one of the most
eminent men in the town for years during the latter part of the eighteenth
century, and for twenty years in the present century.
Every town in Essex county gave generously of its blood to preserve the
Union during the dark struggle of the Civil War, and Willsborough's record
will compare favorably with them all. The young men left their workshops
and farms and volunteered their services without stint. Those also who were
possessed of means gave freely of their wealth. The courage of her soldiers
is attested by the wounds which they received during the war, and the dead
which were left to whiten into skeletons on southern soil.^
Following are the names of the supervisors of this town from 1796 to the
1 There is a post of the G. A. R. in this town named " Oakley A. Smith Post," from a brave and
gallant soldier from the town, who fell in battle in the front ranks of his regiment.
Town of Willsborough. 449
present time, with their years of service: 1796-97, Daniel Sheldon; 1798,
Thomas Stower; 1799 (the year of the formation of the present town) to 1803,
inclusive, Daniel Sheldon ; 1804, Douw; 1805-6, Levi Higby; 1807101809,
inclusive, Jonathan Lynde ; 1810 to 1812, inclusive, John Morhous ; 1813 to
to 1817, inclusive, Levi Higby; 1818-19, John Morhous; 1820, Levi Higby;
1821 to 1826, inclusive, John Hoffnagle ; 1827-28, George Throop ; 1829-30,
Thomas Stower; 1831 to 1833, inclusive, George Throop; 1834 to 1836, in-
clusive, Michael Morhous; 1837 to 1841, inclusive, Abraham Weldin ; 1842,
Henry Weldin; 1843-44, William W. Morhous; 1845, Lyman Barton; 1846-
47, Joseph Hoffnagle; 1848, Daniel Putnam; 1849-50, Aiken E. Sheldon
1851, Michael Morhous; 1852 to 1856, inclusive, Daniel P. Putnam ; 1857-58
Lyman Barton; 1859-60, Alvah B. Morhous; 1861, Edmond S. Higby
1862, Edwin Higby; 1863, W. F. Smith; 1864, E. S. Higby; 1865 to 1868
inclusive, Jesse Adams; 1869-70, Lyman Barton; 1871-72, Lewis H. Clark
1873 to 1875, inclusive, Edmond S. Higby ; 1876-77, Jesse Adams ; 1878-79
H. A. Towner; 1880 to 1884, inclusive, Orville A. Smith ; 1885, John B. Cuyler,
Following are the present officers of the town : Supervisor, John B. Cuy-
ler ; town clerk, Abram W. Hoffnagle ; assessors, B. D. Smith, Elbert Rich-
ardson, William Severance ; commissioner of highways, Aiken Currier ; over-
seers of the poor, James Brown, Hiram Jones ; collector, Frank S. Jones ; com-
missioner of excise, Ephraim Rand.
Population of Town. — i?,io,66z\ 1825, 1,166; 1830, 1,316; 1835, 1.253;
1840, 1,667; 1845. 1.424; 1850. 1.932; i860, 1,519; 1865, 1,432; 1870,
1,719; 1875, 1,761 ; 1880, 1,450.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Willsborough. — The only village in the town of Willsborough is the one
bearing the same name. This is a thriving settlement of not more than five
hundred inhabitants, situated on both banks of the Boquet river about two
miles from its mouth. Visible in the southwest are the Boquet mountains
and in the west and north the Willsborough mountains. In the northern part
of the village- the river makes a descent so precipitous as to create a fall which
affords the various industries on its banks an abundance of water power.
The village is one of the oldest in the county, there being evidences of
quite a settlement here as early as 1800, in which year, according to Mrs. Eliza
Higby, the post-office was established. Levi Higby, sr., was the first post-
master, and continued in office until about 1820. His son, Levi Higby, jr.,
succeeded him and remained postmaster until 1845, when he was superseded
by Charles Towner. From 1849 to 1857 Charles Sheldon distributed the
mail to the citizens of Willsborough. Dudley Jones held the office from 1857
to 1 86 1. Mr. Sheldon then returned to the duties of the office and presided
until 1 87 1, when Mrs. A. M. Sheldon became postmistress. She has held the
office ever since, and has always had a general store in connection with it.
29
450 History of Essex County.
The early mercantile interests of the town and village being identical, have
been sufficiently set forth in the preceding pages of this chapter. The oldest
building in the village now used as a store is the one occupied by Shedd &
Richardson. As has been stated before, this building was erected in 1810,
and used for some time as a store by George Throop and Levi Higby. It passed
through the usual vicissitudes of a building devoted to mercantile interests,
and has been occupied since March, 1884, by George M. Shedd and Charles
E. Richardson as a general store. At that time they bought out Belden
Noble, who had kept a store there for more than twenty years excepting a
brief period when it was in the hands of James Stower.
George W. Palmer opened a general store in May, 1877, in the Dudley-
Jones building. In March, 1884, he moved into the building which he now
occupies and which he built himself Wesley G. Lyon carries on a large
general store in the building owned by George Shedd.
H. R. Field began the drug business in May, 1884, in Mrs. White's build-
ing. On May 1st, 1885, he moved to his present quarters.
The grist-mill on the right bank of the Boquet river was originally built
by William D. Ross in 18 10. It was burned in 1843 and immediately rebuilt
by W. D. Ross with the aid of Oscar Sheldon. The present proprietors are
Abram W. Hofifnagle and H. D. Scott. Mr. Hoffnagle had a half interest in the
mill since 1864. Before then the proprietors for many years were Abram Wel-
din and Edmund Hoffnagle. Mr. Weldin retained his interest in the business
and property until his death in 187 1. It is the only grist-mill in the town.
It has the capacity for grinding forty bushels of wheat or two hundred and
forty bushels of feed in every twelve hours. Its dimensions are 50x35 feet.
The present owner of the saw-mill, Edmund S. Higby, has had title to the
property, and charge of the business of running it since 1877. He followed
Abram Weldin and his administrators. Mr. Weldin built the present structure
in 1867 on the foundation of the old mill erected before 1800, which has been
mentioned in an earlier page. Its capacity is given as 5,000 ket per diem.
The tannery now owned and managed by James Allen and James Ells-
bury under the firm style of Allen & Ellsbury was built in 1818 by one Gil-
bert. Edmund S. Higby, above named, conducted the tannery business from
1857 to 1863.
The Champlain Fibre Company, a stock company, received its charter in
1 88 1, and immediately thereafter erected the works now in use by them. The
first officers were: President, Judge Henry C. Gildersleeve, of New York ; vice-
president, Wesley G. Lyon, of Essex ; secretary and treasurer, Edward W.
Richardson, then of New Yorfc city, now of Willsborough.
The present officers are R. H. Emerson, of Jackson, Miss., president and
treasurer; Julian O. Fuller, of New York, secretary. Directors, R. H. Em-
erson, J, O. Fuller, A. G. Paine, William L. Pomeroy, Seth M. Milliken.
Town of Willsborough. 451
From the beginning in November, 1884, Homer F. Locke was the superin-
tendent. Since then there has been no regular appointment of a superinten-
dent, the management of the business falHng naturally into the hands of Mr.
Emerson. Edward W. Richardson has charge of the works at Willsborough.
The company employs in all about one hundred and fifty men, about
seventy of whom are at work in the mills. The factory has a capacity of turn-
ing out about ten tons of dry chemical fibre every twenty-four hours, men be-
ing at work there night and day. The machinery is propelled by both water
and steam.
The pulp is made from young poplar trees growing in the .mountains of
Willsborough and Lewis. This business is rapidly becoming one of the chief
industries of the county.
The site covered. by the Riverside House has been used for hotel purposes
ever since 18 10, when, as has been before observed, Isaac Jones distributed
" sperrits " to the thirsting palates at and about " The Falls." This old tavern
was destroyed by fire in 1835, while a Mr. Remington was the ostensible pro-
prietor. The present hotel building was reared soon after by Michael Mor-
hous, father to the gentleman of that name now living south of the village.
The present proprietor, Warren Shepard, has had charge of the business since
May 1st, 1880. The house was closed the year prior to that date. Gideon
Hofifnagle was the last proprietor before this brief suspension.
The Bay View House, near the station, was opened by the present propri-
etor, Benjamin Ames, the year that the railroad was finished (1875).
Albert Smith recently started a butter factory near the station. It can
yet be named, however, only as an experiment.
Physicians. — The oldest living physician now in practice in Willsborough
is Dr. Lyman Barton, who began the practice of medicine here in June, 1839.
He was graduated in the previous year from the medical department of Dart-
mouth College, New Hampshire. In 1841 he moved on to the premises he
now occupies, though he did not build the present residence until 1849.
Dr. T. E. Sweatt came here in September, 1881, shortly after being grad-
uated from the medical department of the University of Vermont, at Bur-
lington.
Dr. H. R. Field received a diploma from the Albany Medical College in
1862. He has been here since 1884. He carries on a drug store.
Churches. — The first church in the village, or indeed in the town of Wills-
borough, was unquestionably a Congregational Church, which, it is said, was
organized before the year 1800. Its activity, however, must have been some-
what intermittent for some years, until the organization of the present Con-
gregational Church on the 25th day of January, 1833. The old Congrega-
tional Churches of Willsborough and Essex were united until about 1830, but
then separated and this organization completed as stated. Prominent in the
452 History of Essex County.
councils of the first meeting were Revs. Cyrus Comstock, Joel Fisk, and Dr.
A. P. Mead, from Essex, and Rev. S. Williams, jr., and Deacon R. Morse,
from the church at Lewis. The first members were : Daniel F. Lynde, Aaron
Fairchild, Molley Lynde, Elizabeth Fairchild, EHza Gayger, Espatia Lynde,
Annis Manley, Nesmus Manley, Ira Manley, jr., Caroline Slater, Abiel An-
derson, Marshall Shedd, Obadiah Thayer. At subsequent meetings large
numbers were added to the church, and the membership was soon large. The
Rev. Marshall Shedd was the first pastor. He had preached in Willsborough
even before the organization of the church, in 1831, and remained until De-
cember, 1833. The organization of the church was due largely to his efforts.
John Hoffnagle and Daniel F. Lynde, were the first deacons and John Hoff-
nagle was the first clerk. The following is the list of pastors that have had
charge of this church down to the present, and the dates of their ministration
as accurately as they can be learned from the records, assisted by the active
memory of Dr. Lyman Barton, to whose kindness may be attributed all that
we give concerning this church: Rev. Julius Doane, 1834-35 > R^v. Ira Man-
ley supplied the pulpit some of the time during the year 1835, ^"^ a few ser-
mons were preached by Rev. Joel Fisk, then of Essex ; Rev. Stephen Cook,
1836-38; Rev. Marshall Shedd (supplied), 1849-40; Revs. Joel Fisk and
Ira Manley (supplied), 1840; Rev. Marshall Shedd, 1841-47; Rev. Ebenezer
Newhall, 1848-52 ; Rev. Stephen A. Barnard, 1853-65; Rev. A. D. Barber,
1866-69; occasional supply by Rev. C. N. Wilder, 1870-74; Rev. R. O. Post,
1874-76; Rev. C. N. Wilder (here and in Essex), 1877-81 ; present pastor,
Rev. G. A. Curtiss, 1882.
The first church edifice was begun immediately upon the organization of
the church in 1833, and was completed at a cost of about $3,000. It has
been several times improved in the interior. The present value of the church
property, including the parsonage, is about $6,000. The present membership
of the church is eighty.
A Sunday-school was organized during the pastorate of the Rev. Stephen
Cook, and has been maintained without interruption ever since. The present
superintendent is Abram Hoffnagle.
M. E. Church. — Owing to the fragmentary condition of the records of this
church, it has been found difficult to obtain a complete and perfectly accurate
history, but with the assistance of William Smith, who has been with the
church from its inception, we can give a tolerably clear outline. The Metho-
dist Church of Willsborough was organized in 1830. James Smith was the
first class-leader and the Rev. Joseph Ames one of the first pastors. This was
the time when two preachers traveled in a given circuit.
Meetings were held in the old school-house east of the " stone store " until
1846, when the present edifice was built at a cost of about $3,000. Revs.
Seymour Colman and Taylor were then pastors. Prominent among the very
Town of Willsborough. 453
first members were William Smith, James Smith, Hannah Lyon and Alinza
Lyon. There has been no interruption or suspension of regular preaching
since the beginning. Rev. C. F. Noble, the present pastor, came in the spring
of 1883.
The present officers of the church are : Stewards, William Smith, WiUiam
Helm, Orville A. Smith, M. A. Moss, Edmund Lyon, Aaron Nichols, Frank
Adams, Walter Smith and H. M. Smith ; leaders, Albert Morhous, James
Ellsbury, William Helm, Frederick Lyon, C. Conger, A. G. Forbes, E. F.
Smith ; trustees, George W. Moore, Thomas Ellsbury, H. M. Smith, James
Ellsbury, E. T. Smith, Burton Hawley, M. A. Morse, E. O. Smith, George W.
Lyon. Soon after the organization of the church a Sunday-school was started,
first at Willsborough Point, where the services were held until the expiration
of three or four years, when it was removed to the village. The present
superintendent of the Sunday-school is E. F. Smith ; the assistant superin-
tendent is Dr. F. E. Sweatt. There is at present a Sunday-school membership
of about one hundred and twenty-five, and a church membership of two hun-
dred and six. The present value of the church property is estimated at $4,500.
School. — Willsborough does not possess a union school, but has instead a
graded district school, in which two teachers are employed. The former school
districts Nos. i and 15 were connected February 28th, 1842. At the first meet-
ing of which there is any record, dated on that day, Michael Morhous was
chosen moderator of the meeting ; John Richardson was elected school clerk ;
Abraham Weldin, Michael Morhous and Levi Higby, jr., trustees; John Rich-
ardson, librarian, and Eneas Towner, collector. On May nth, 1846, it was
voted to remove the old school-house northeast of the " stone store." In
August, 1847, the trustees were empowered to prepare a plan for the new
school-house, and in 1852 the present brick building was erected. There is
now an average annual attendance of pupils at the school of about eighty.
The present officers are: Committee, Frank E. Sweatt, M. D., and Abram W.
Hoffiiagle, who is district clerk. Frank Wickes and Miss Sarah Richardson
are the teachers.
A post-office (Willsborough Point) has been recently established at Wills-
borough Point. The postmaster is Caleb Conger.
454 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XXX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF JAY.
JAY was separated from the original town of Willsborough January i6th,
I 1798, and received its name from Governor John Jay. At first it embraced,
besides its present territory, parts of Keene, Wilmington, and Elizabethtown.
The following is the notice of application by the inhabitants of Jay (or Mal-
lory's Bush, as it was then called) to be set off in a town by themselves : —
" Notice is hereby given that the inhabitants of Mallory's Bush, in the
Town of Willsborough, northwest 'district, have called a meeting and unan-
imously agreed to make application to the Town of Willsborough to be set off
and to be incorporated into a town by themselves, and have chosen John
Cochran, jr., to attend the annnal meeting, Willsborough, to do said business
of the application. The boundaries of said Town so to be set off are as fol-
lows : Beginning where the military line intercepts the south of Willsborough,
then north to the 12- mile tree, then north 45 degrees east to the south line of
Perue, then west to the southwest corner of said Perue, or west line of Clinton
county, then south to the northwest corner of Crown Point, then east to the
place of beginning. Ely Vane, Clerk.
" Dated at Mallory's Bush the 12th of March, 1797."
Afterwards (1822) the town was enlarged by the annexation of parts of
Peru in Clinton county, and Chateaugay in Franklin county. The present
town is situated in the northern part of Essex county, between Chesterfield
and Lewis on the east, and Wilmington and Keene on the west. Along the
western boundary extend the Ausable mountains, of which Mounts Clark,
Hamlin, and Bassett, all reaching an elevation of more than two thousand feet
above tide, are the highest peaks. The southern strip of territory projecting
between the towns of Keene and Lewis contains a number of the Adirondack
peaks. This is the wildest and most picturesque part of the town, and is sur-
passed in grandeur by few sections of the entire county. The east or south
branch of the Ausable river, having its source in the Ausable ponds in the
extreme southern part of Keene, and draining some of the most mountainous
regions in Northern New York, flows north through the west of Jay, and joins
the other branch at the " Forks."
The whole of this town is elevated, and the surface broken by lofty and
precipitous mountains. The soil is chiefly a light sandy and gravelly loam,
and in the valleys vigorous and fertile. Upon the table-lands, which extend
in parallel ridges through the entire town, the soil is highly productive. Veins
of black lead have been discovered in quantities too small to be worked with
Town of Jay. 455
profit. Iron exists in great abundance, and but for the difficulty of transpor-
tation, owing to the broken and uneven surface of the country, the town
would unquestionably be an inexhaustible fund of wealth to the county.
There are three villages in the town, Ausable Forks, lying between the
junction of the two branches of the river of that name in the north line of the
county ; Jay, situated on the south branch of the Ausable near the center of
the town, and Upper Jay on the same stream about four miles farther south.
Several considerable settlements were made in various parts of the town pre-
vious to its formation in 1798, by emigrants attracted hither by the fertility of
the soil, the almost unlimited quantities of lumber, and. the rich promise held
out by the numerous veins of iron ore existing in various parts of the town.
The earliest settler was Nathaniel Mallory, who came to the present site of
the village of Jay as early as 1796 and probably gave the village its early name
of Mallory's Bush. Among the other early settlers were John W. Southmayd,
an early farmer and iron manufacturer who was here prior to 18 14, and who
lived until about 1855 two miles south of the village of Jay; Joseph Storrs, a
farmer living near Jay, who died some time before Southmayd, and John Purmort
(before 1798), an iron man who, in pursuance of a scheme initiated by Joseph
Storrs, virtually established the iron business afterwards carried on by J. & J.
Rogers. He had a forge in Jay before 1812. Robert Otis also lived here
before the beginning of the present century. Ezekiel Lockwood lived here in
early days. Nathaniel Ray was connected with the building of the forge at
the village of Jay. Josiah Way and Joseph Fowler attained some prominence
when the country was the home of pioneers. William Mallory built the first
mill erected in the town, and in company with Nathaniel Mallory (probably a
brother) owned a grist-mill, saw-mill, and later a forge and carding-machine.
Anson Bigelow was born in Chesterfield in 1804 and came to the site of Au-
sable Forks about 18 19. Stephen Griswold came to the Forks about 1812.
In the vicinity of Upper Jay were Elisha and Charles Prindle, Isaac Williams,
James B. Wood, Daniel Williams, Samuel Cook, and Josiah W. Hewitt, a
wheelwright.
These are a majority of the most prominent pioneers of the town. There
were others who deserve, perhaps, as much credit as these, but it is impossible
to give all, even of the early inhabitants, the words of praise which their efforts
might entitle them.
Of course the industries remained in a crude and incipient state until the
avenues of transportation not only on the lake but to and from the lake, over
the lofty mountains and through the almost impenetrable forests, were opened
and made passable.
The oldest living inhabitant takes his pipe from between his lips and tells
us of the forges and saw-mills at "The Forks" and Mallory's Bush, and we
are prone to erect in our imaginations an image of the solid and formidable
4S6 History of Essex County.
forges and saw-mills of the present day. But these pictures are rudely blotted
out by the succeeding portrait which our informant draws with vivid hand, of
the aboriginal grist-mill, constructed from a stump hollowed into a convenient
basin which was used as a hopper, and a weight depending from the nearest
sapling as a grindstone. These infant industries were all " brought up by
hand."
The earliest road to Mallory's Bush was a primitive passage-way throiigh
the woods between that place and Westport, then called North-West Bay. It
could not have been used earlier than the year 1796. About the same time
or soon after, the road which leads along the west bank of the south branch of
the Ausable river was constructed. The road on the east bank of the same
stream between Lower and Upper Jay was not ready for wagon traffic in 1812.
The pioneers of this region were not, however, barbarians. Considering
their meager opportunities they supplied their own wants with surprising in-
genuity. Between 1800 and 18 12 schools and religious meetings were estab-
lished in the most thickly populated districts. There was a school in Jay long
before 18 12, and by that time Methodist classes had been formed for religious
exercitation and discipline. A Baptist Church was formed here in 1798.
Lumbering was one of the earliest industries of the town. At the begin-
ning of the War of 18 12 huge spars were cut in this town and drawn- to the
lake, and thence floated north to the English market at Quebec. Josiah Fisk
was one of the most prominent of the pioneer lumbermen. A Mr. Sleeper at
one time with seven yoke of oxen drew an enormous spar to the lake from
Mallory's Bush. A short time after the period just mentioned square timbers
came into great requisition, and were shipped in large quantities over the same
route. In the vicinity of Upper Jay the lumber business was killed as early
as 1820, by the girdling of all the trees to facilitate the clearing of land. At
Ausable Forks the most enterprising lumber dealers were Burt & Vander-
warker, the firm comprising George and Justus Burt, and James and Isaac
Vanderwarker. Their lumber was taken to Port Kent via the Ausable river.
The iron business has received mention. The first forge was built at Mal-
lory's Bush, now Lower Jay, in 1798. Joseph Storrs, John Purmort and G.
A. Purmort & Co. were interested in it. In 1809 the works were extensively
enlarged. Before 1820 Apollos A. Newell constructed and ran a two-fired
forge about a mile south of Lower Jay, which was destroyed by the freshet of
1856. It had soon after its erection to compete with the forge of Jesse Tobey
and Robert G. Hazard. Long before 1825 a forge was built at Ausable Forks
and run by Burt, Vanderwarker & Co. Taverns, distilleries, asheries, saw-
mills, and several stores abounded. William Mallory built a saw-mill near
the site of Jay in about 1798. Though liquor was dispensed in many private
houses, there is no remembrance of a tavern here (Jay) until about 1820, when
Jesse Tobey and Elihu Bartlett opened houses which they kept until about
Town of Jay. 4S7
1830. Both buildings were, soon after that year, destroyed by fire. For some
time prior to 1823 a man named Coolc kept an inn on the site of Coppin's
present house in Upper Jay. Elisha Wells managed a distillery and grist-mill
in Upper Jay in 1823. In the same place and year Steven G. Williams and
Daniel Williams conducted an ashery. Not much business of any kind ex-
cepting lumbering and the manufacture of iron was done in Ausable Forks
until 1825.
The calls for volunteers during the Rebellion were promptly and heartily
responded to by the inhabitants of the town. Other towns of greater popula-
tion may have furnished a greater number of men and contributed more largely
of their money to the cause, but they were more thickly inhabited and more
affluent. Not one of them, however, could have given money more willingly
or offered men of greater bravery. Further details on this subject will be
found in the chapter devoted to the military history of the county.
Town Officers. — The first town meeting was held in 1798, at which
Elisha Bingham was elected supervisor and Ely Stone town clerk. The com-
missioners of highways were Leonard Owen, John W. Southmayd and Ezekiel
Lockwood ; and the assessors were Zenas Graves, David Clemmons and John
Donlap.
Following is a list of supervisors from the year 1800 to the present time,
with the respective years of their service : 1800, Ezekiel Lockwood ; 180 1-2,
John Cochrane; 1803, John Douglass; 1 804-5, Robert Otis ; 1806-7, Ely
Stone; 1808 to 18 11 inclusive, Joseph Storrs; 18 12, Jonas B. Wood; 1813
to 181S inclusive, Joseph Storrs; 1816, William Finch; 1817-18, Reuben
Sanford ; 18 19, Joseph Storrs ; 1820, Reuben Sanford ; 1 821 to 1826 inclusive,
Joseph Storrs; 1827, William Wells; 1828, Joseph Storrs; 1829, William
Wells ; 1830-31, Isaac Vanderwarker • 1832 to 1836 inclusive, Joseph Storrs;
1837, Thomas Brewster ; .1838, Joseph Storrs ; 1839, Josiah W. Hewitt; 1840,
John Purmort; 1841, Jesse Tobey, jr.; 1842-43, Benjamin Wells; 1844,
Josiah W. Hewitt; 1845-46, William H. Butrick ; 1847-48, Daniel Blish ;
1849, Thomas D. Trumbull; 1850, Samuel West; 1851, Thomas D. Trum-
bull; 1852, Daniel Blish; 1853, Monroe Hall; 1854, 'Heman G. Powers;
1855, Jeremiah B. Briggs ; 1856, Samuel West; 1857 to 1859 inclusive, Na-
thaniel C. Boynton; i860, Henry D. Graves; 1861, N. C. Boynton ; 1862,
George S. Potter ; 186310 1867 inclusive, Gardner Pope; 1868-69, Henry
Smith; 1870 to 1872 inclusive, Henry D. Graves; 1873, Gardner Pope ;
1874-75, Henry M. Prime ; 1876, Richard D. Mclntyre ; 1877, Henry Smith ;
1878, A. S. Prime; 1879-80, Amos Bosley; 1881, Spencer G. Prime; 1882,
John C. De Kalb; 1883-84, Silas W. Prime; 1885, Fred E. Trumbull. The
present town clerk is John A. Simpson.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Jay. This village was without doubt settled the earliest of the three
458 History of Essex County.
which are now comprised in the township of Jay. It was near here, as has
been mentioned, that the Mallorys and Purmorts wielded their iron influence
in primitive times. It has always been best known for the iron manufactured
in its forges and the timbers hewn upon the mighty shoulders of its hills.
George Griswold, who came here in i8i2, has a clear recollection of the con-
dition of the village when he came. A small school was partly filled with a
small number of small pupils, and had been in existence then a number of
years. A man named Parsons brought the " daily papers " on horseback to
the bustling po|)ulace of Jay, while Elihu Hall, general merchant, who had
control of the post-office department here, regulated the distribution of the
mail matter. Mr. Hall was postmaster for a number of years. It is not
known who followed him until 1834, when Elihu H. Bartlett officiated. Since
that year G. G. Tobey, the present postal dignitary, has been in office almost
without intermission. He was out several years immediately preceding 1864,
when A. M. Pitcher, N. C. Boynton and Byron Boynton filled the position in
chronological order as named.
The hotels of the past in Jay have had troublous and precarious careers,
and have been almost invariably overtaken by a tragic fate. The hotels
which Jesse Tobey and Elihu Bartlett kept in the second quarter of this cent-
ury, burned. About 1830 Jesse Tobey built another hotel on the corner di-
rectly opposite the site of D. K. Day's store. The ownership fell soon to G.
G. Tobey, who sold it in 1856 to Mrs. Caroline Green. She owned it when
it too was destroyed by fire. It has never been rebuilt. The hotel now in
operation has been under the superintendence of Nelson Patterson since De-
cember, 1884.
The oldest store in the village is D. K. Day's. Mr. Day opened a store
in the same building he now occupies in 1869, when he bought out Monroe
Hall. Hall had been a general merchant in the place a long time. The vil-
lage in population and thrift was then about what it is now.
G. A. Purmort & Co., who had formerly owned the forge at Jay, were
dealing in merchandise in 1869, and had been since early in the century.
George Slyter came to Jay in December, 1884, and opened a grocery and
furniture store and began the undertaking business.
J. & J. Rogers's Iron Company have a general store in connection with
their iron business, which provides for the wants of their employees.
The forge now owned by the J. & J. Rogers Iron Company, whose head-
quarters are at Ausable Forks, was started in 1809 by John Purmort. After-
wards the title was in G. A. Purmort & Co., from whom it passed into the hands
of the present owners in 1864. It has now six fires. (For account of their
works, see Ausable Forks.)
The village possesses three physicians, Dr. Ezra Robinson, of about three
years' practice here, Dr. St. Pierre Fuller, who has been here many years, and
Town of Jay. 459
Dr. Frank Kendall, of eight or ten years' standing. There are no lawyers
here.
Churches. — The Baptist Church of Jay was organized in 1798, although
at the beginning it was a part of the Peru Church, and the same pastor, Rev.
Solomon Brown, officiated at both places. The records from 1799 to 1807 are
lost. Licentiates who preached for these churches then were Dana Clark, Cyrus
Call and Eli Stone. The last-named were ordained in 1817. In 1815-16
Abel Bingham, an Indian missionary, was one of the deacons. Eighty mem-
bers were added to the church in that season. In 1818 Cyrus Call preached
and was paid a salary. About this time, through some difficulty with a refrac-
tory member, the church was disbanded, but it was reorganized in 1822, with
a membership of only thirty-seven. Stephen Wise, of Chazy, was ordained in
1826, and Joel Peck in 1827. The Saranac Church was separated from it in
1828. A church edifice was commenced the same year, but was not ready for
dedication until 1835. Meanwhile, 1830, the church was agitated considerably
by the Masonic and temperance excitements during the pastorate of Revs.
Conant Sawyer and Isaac Sawyer. Notwithstanding these impediments, there
were very fruitful revivals under the ministrations of both the Sawyers. In
1835—37 Rev. Bryant was pastor. There have been twenty- one pastors called
to this church, and four ordained. Rev. Isaac Sawyer was succeeded by Rev.
John A. Dodge. Since his time the following have officiated : Revs. Charles
Berry, William Kingsley, Joseph W. Sawyer, J. J. Babcock, H. Steelman, J. J.
Townsend, W. H. Pease, C. D. Fuller, A. W. Stoekiom, M. F. Negus and G. N.
Harmon.
Besides the revivals during the labors of Revs. Conant and Isaac Sawyer,
there were important additions under Revs. Charles Berry and J. J. Babcock.
There have been in this church (in September, 1884) 416 baptisms, 152 addi-
tions, 256 dismissed by letter, sixty-nine expelled, 106 died, sixty-five
dropped. Five licentiates have been sent out. The Sunday-school was
started in 1830. The bell which swings from the cross-beams in the belfry of
this old stone church is widely known as of a rich and mellow tone. The rivers
that find their sources near at hand and flow in diverse directions, find their
outlets as far apart as Long Island Sound and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The
idea suggested by this and its situation has found expression in the following
beautiful poem by Frank Daniel Blish : —
"The bell at Jay, the rivers, breeze.
To North and South send greeting ;
Beneath the Adirondack trees
The Hudson's heart is beating.
0 Bell sublime !
In ancient dust
Earth's archives rust ;
But not thy rhyme !
Thy voice is clear ;
1 hear it here,
Subdued by time !
46o History of Essex County.
" Thy counterfeits resemble thee
As murmurs in commotion
Upon the tongue-tied midland sea
The speech of unbound ocean.
While music fills
And echoes mock
Responsive rock;
While grandeur thrills
Thy tones will last ;
Thy zone was cast
Between the hills !
" My wish for fame I'll gladly spurn
As youth's companions meet me
When I to childhood's home return
If thy glad welcome greet me.
Thy slender fronds
Of brake and fern
May shake and turn ;
At lips of bronze
Thy challenge fling ;
Thy welcome ring
My heart responds ! "
Methodist. — The Methodist Episcopal Church of Jay dates its organiza-
tion about the year 18x5, when it was a part of the old Plattsburg circuit.
There was a class here in 1812. The first quarterly meeting was held in 1816
in Elihu Hall's barn. The first church edifice (frame) was erected in 1820,
across the square from the present brick church, which was built a year or two
prior to 1850. One of the first pastors was the Rev. Eighamy.
About 1 8 16 the Revs. Eli Barrett and Jeremiah McDaniels were here.
These early preachers traveled about from one place to another in their circuit
on horseback. Since 18 17 the following pastors have officiated: Revs.
J. Boyington and Moses Amidon ; Gilbert Lyon and Harvey De Wolf ; Cyrus
Silliman and Phineas Doane ; Harvey De Wolf and Cyrus Prindle ; Darius
Stephens, Ibri Cannon and Hiram Meeker ; Orrin Peer and Phineas Doane ;
James Coville and Jacob Leonard.
In 1 86 1 Rev. J. S. Mott was the pastor, and was succeeded by pastors as
follows : Revs. W. W. Foster, Edward Turner, I. Le Barron, D. C. Ayres,
A. C. Lyon, A. S. Bigelow, R. J. Davies. In 1879-82 Rev. E. J. McKernan
preached here, and was followed by the present pastor. Rev. F. K. Potter, who
came in the spring of 1882. The present membership of the church is two
hundred and seventy- two. The church property is valued at $4,500.
The Sunday-school was started soon after the first church was built, and
has continued to the present. The first superintendent was George Griswold.
G. G. Tobey is the present superintendent.
Upper Jay. — The early industries of Upper Jay have been spoken of in
the introductory matter of this chapter. The oldest inhabitant now living in
the village is lienry Prime, who came here in 1823. According to his recol-
Town of Jay. 461
lection the hotel which in 1823 was run by Mr. Cook went into the possession
of Benjamin Wells about 1830. Shortly afterwards Alanson Hayes kept it
about two years, when Henry Prime bought it. During the first two years of
Prime's ownership George Kline kept it for him. The hotel was burned in
1865. An old carding-machine and dye-shop, which had been owned by Isaac
Williams some time before 1820, was moved on to the site of the old hotel a
few months after the fire by Charles Smith, who purchased the land of Mr.
Prime. The present hotel has been kept by Charles Coppins for the past
three years.
In the spring of 1867 A. S. Prime started a general store here and con-
tinued sole proprietor of the business for five years. For three years after
that Silas W. Prime was his partner. Then Spencer G. Prime went in with
them. This relation subsisted until 1883, when A. S. Prime went out. The
business has grown to large proportions. They expend from $100,000 to
$125,000 annually in the purchase of stock.
In January, 1885, a grist-mill owned by Prime Brothers and John T. Heald
was destroyed by fire. It was built in 1847 by Sylvanus Wells.
About a mile north of Upper Jay a saw-mill is owned and run by W. &
W. Nye. There are also two wheelwright shops here, one owned by A. S.
Prime, and another by Charles Fish. George W. Stickney owns a carding-
machine, and conducts a cloth-dressing shop and cider- mill all in the same
building. Ellbridge Storrs is the undertaker for the village. Dr. A. J. Mer-
rill has practiced medicine here a number of years. The only lawyer in the
place is George Smith, who has been located here about five years.
The present postmaster is A. P. Prime, who is of about ten years' standing.
For forty years or more before his entrance to the office Benjamin Wells
officiated.
Ausable Forks. — Ausable Forks is the largest and most thriving though
not the oldest village in the town. A considerable portion, both of its popu-
lation and business, is in Clinton county, on the north bank of the Ausable
river. Most of the territory now occupied by the village of Ausable Forks
was once owned by Zephaniah Palmer. In 1825 Burt & Vanderwarker bought
the property of Palmer, and built several saw-mills on the Ausable. In 1828,
in connection with Keese, Lapham & Co., they erected a four-fired forge,
which was then supplied with ore from the Arnold bed and Palmer Hill.
About this time a second saw-mill was put up. A stock company was organ-
ized in 1834, and entitled the Sable Iron Company, Reuben Sanford, Arder
Barker, James Rogers, John Fitzgerald, Richard H. Peabody, Robert B. Haz-
ard and Calvin Cook being trustees. In 1835 the business was conducted for
the company under the management of their agent, John Woodman. Owing
to business embarrassments, operations were suspended in 1836 and until 1837,
when James and John Rogers purchased the entire property. In 1848 they
462 History of Essex County.
erected a forge on the dam on the west branch of the river, consisting of four
fires. The most important of the works are situated on a point of land
extending into the south branch of the river from the southern bani<. The
rolling-mill was built in 1834.
The J. & J. Rogers Iron Company had its origin in a business established
at Black Brook, Clinton county, in 1832, by two brothers, James and John
Rogers. As above stated, they became the owners of the works at the Forks
in 1837, although they held prominent interests there in 1834. In 1864 they
bought out the Purmort iron interest at Lower Jay, and immediately enlarged
the works at that place.
In 1870 (December 29th) a joint stock company was organized, called
^ the J. & J. Rogers Iron Company, which succeeded the former partnership
interests at these three villages. The first officers were : President, James
Rogers ; vice-president, John Rogers ; trustees, James Rogers, John Rogers,
Halsey Rogers, son of James, and Thomas Rogers, son of John. In 1871
Halsey Rogers died, and in the same year Henry D. Graves, son-in-law of
James Rogers, was elected to fill the vacancy thus caused in the board of
trustees. In 1872 Thomas Rogers withdrew from the company by reason
of ill health. Hiram W. Stetson succeeded him as trustee. James Rogers
retired in 1876, and in January following his son-in-law, George Chahoon,
became a member of the board. John Rogers was then elected president,
and Henry D. Graves vice-president. John Rogers retired in May, 1879
(and died in a few days), and his position was filled by the election of Benja-
min E. Wells. Henry D. Graves was then elected president, Hiram W. Stet-
son vice-president, and Benjamin E. Wells secretary.
The company runs four fires at Ausable Forks and six at Jay. The busi-
ness here and at Jay is under the supervision of H. D. Graves and George
Chahoon, while Hiram W. Stetson and Benjamin E. Wells conduct the works
at Black Brook. The general superintendent at Jay is Ezra Fairbanks. In
addition to their iron business at Jay, this company is largely engaged in the
manufacture of brick.
The ore is taken exclusively from the Palmer bed, two miles north of the
Forks, in Clinton county, and is the finest of Bessemer. The products of the
company's works are charcoal blooms, and bars for conversion into cast steel,
Peru horse-shoe iron, round and square iron, and Sable-cut nails.
Although the aggregate result of the industry and capable exertion of the
leading spirits of this company pronounce their efforts a wonderful success,
they have been many times subjected to the severest of reverses. The well-
remembered freshet of 1856, and another in 1857, caused fearful devastation
among the works on both branches of the river at Ausable Forks, and the
Messrs. Rogers lost by each flood no less than $25,000. In 1864 they lost
$90,000 by fires.
Town of Jay. 463
Mercantile. — In July, 1864, Henry Smith and George Featherston en-
tered into partnership and, under the firm name of H. Smith & Co., began the
sale of general merchandise in the building which they still occupy and which
they then erected. They started with a stock of about $10,000 value and are
now quoted as carrying from $50,000 to $70,000.
W. J. Gillespie started a drug store here in April, 1874, and removed into
his present quarters in October following. In March, 1880, his brother, H. E.
Gillespie, purchased an interest in the business. They have two stores in Au-
sable Forks — one on either side of the river, and one in Bloomingdale. The
total value of their stock is estimated at $24,000.
Smith & Prime have a drug store on the Clinton side.
John C. De Kalb came herein August, 1882, and established a general
store on Main street, Essex side. He owns the building, which he built him-
self He carries a stock valued at about $12,000.
Hotels. — The American House, Clinton side, was built by James Rogers.
John Hargraves assumed control of the property and business in 1868. In
1870 his son-in-law, E. D. Fillmore, went in with him. This relation was
dissolved January, 1885, by the death of Mr. Hargraves. Mr. Fillmore is now
the sole proprietor.
What is now called the Ausable House was built in 1832 by George M.
Burt, and was one of the earliest frame houses in the village. At the time of
its erection it was the largest hotel between Whitehall and Plattsburg. It had
no name until about 1854, when Justus G. Failes kept it under the name Taha-
was House. It took its present name when Parker Torrance ran it. Torrance
bought it in 1862 of Joseph Downey. He was followed by H. H. Sherburne,
now of the Valley House in Elizabethtown. Patrick Hogan kept it about
eighteen months after Sherburne left. In 1876 C. H. Kendall, now of Sara-
nac Lake, became the proprietor and remained until February, 1883, when
the present proprietor, A. E. Barrett, came into possession. H. Smith & Co.
haye owned the hotel property since 1875.
Tannery. — Isaac Lake now owns a tannery on the Clinton side, which
was begun about 1840. Benoni Lake owned it originally.
Professional Men. — Thomas D. Trumbull was admitted at Plattsburg in
1844 as attorney and in 1848 to general practice. He opened an office here
in 1845, in the same building he now occupies. He passed his preliminary
period of study with Gardner Stowe, then of Keeseville, four years, and with
Lemuel Stetson, of the same place, six months. His son, Thomas D. Trum-
bull, jr., occupies the same office as his father, but conducts an independent
practice. He was admitted in Michigan in 1875, and re-admitted to practice
in this State at Albany, November i8th, 1881, after a clerkship of eighteen
months in his father's office. Tlie Messrs. Trumbull are the only attorneys in
the village.
464 History of Essex County.
Dr. Conant Sawyer began to practice medicine on the Essex side in 1867.
He was educated for his practice in the Albany Medical University. His first
office was in the Graves block.
Dr. Francis J. D'Avignon commenced practicing in Ausable Forks Sep-
tember 1 2th, 187s, after an experience of eighteen months at Clintonville. He
was just before that graduated from the Louisville Medical College of Louis-
ville, Ky.
Dr. Andrew W. Riley was graduated from the medical department of the
University of New York in 1880. In March, 1880, he opened an office in
Clintonville. He came here January, 1st, 1882, and formed a partnership
with Dr. D'Avignon, which still subsists. On the ist of December, 1883, they
were burned out, their office then being over the drug store of Smith & Prime.
They removed into an office over Gillespie's drug store, where they remained
until their last change, January ist, 1885, at which time they came into their
present office.
Press. — There is no newspaper in Ausable Forks at present. D. L. Hayes
began the publication of a weekly paper called the Mountain Echo about 1878,
but after a flickering struggle for existence of about five years it expired.
Fire Company. — The Ausable Forks Fire Department was organized June
29th, 1878, with the following officers: Chief engineer, George Chahoon ;
assistant chief engineer, Peter Fremyea ; treasurer, H. D. Graves ; secretary,
John Brenan. It comprises three companies : Graves Hose Company No. i,
Engine Company No. 2, and the Adirondack Hook and Ladder Company No.
3. The membership of the entire department is sixty.
Masonic Lodge. — Tahawas Lodge (U. D.) was established October 6th,
1884, with the following officers : W. J. Gillespie, master; George A. Everrest,
senior warden; N. B. Slater, junior warden; George Chahoon, treasurer; J.
G. McKinnon, secretary ; J. H. Smith, senior deacon ; George L. Gray, junior
deacon ; D. G. Cronk, tyler; Emerson Featherston, Benjamin E. Wells, H. G.
Graves, trustees. The first registry shows a membership of fifty-seven.
School. — Prior to July 24th, 1883, Ausable Forks had only a district
school. At that time, however, the present union system was adopted, and
the following board of education chosen : James Rogers, George Featherston,
Dr. A. W. Riley, William Hopkins and George L. Gray. In 1882 the old
school-house had been entirely rebuilt at an expense of about $2,500. It was
originally erected in 1870. There are now six departments in the school —
academic, grammar, intermediate, and three primary departments — conducted
by a corps of seven teachers. The first principal was C. M. Bean, of Cortland
county, who remained until the close of 1883. The present principal is S.
McKay Smith, of Herkimer county. There are three buildings now in use, of
which the main one is on the Essex side.
Churches. — The first prayer-meeting held in Ausable Forks under the
Town of Jay. 465
auspices of the Presbyterian denomination was started by Joseph Horr, who
moved here from Keeseville in 1836. It was held in the old school-house.
In 1837 the church edifice was erected. The present organization of the
church was not completed until May 2d, 1839. Among the first members
were Joseph Horr, Esther Horr, John T. Duncan, Fanny Duncan, Warren
Bigelow, Sarah Hawkett, Mariah Burt, Minerva Whitley and Parthena White.
The first elders were Joseph Horr and John T. Duncan. Joseph Horr was the
first deacon.
Rev. E. B. Baxter, from Jericho, Vt., filled the pulpit for a short time. In
September, 1839, Rev. Calvin B. Cady accepted a call from the church. In
the summer of 1843 R^v. Thorm supplied the pulpit. From 1848 to 1851 the
pastor was Rev. James Miller; in 185 i,, Rev. P. Q. H. Myers; 1853-54, R^v.
John Scott. During the pastorate of Rev. John Scott the church building was
destroyed by fire, and the present structure immediately erected, at a cost of
about $3,000. In 1856-57 Rev. Amos W. Seeley was the settled pastor, and
was succeeded in the latter year by Rev. John S. Stone. Although Mr. Stone
labored here for several years he was not called until i860. In 1862 he went
to the war as chaplain, and was killed. From 1864 to 1867 Rev. G. T. Everest
served.
The first Sunday-school in the village was organized in the spring of 1 837
by Joseph Horr. James W. Flack and Charles Brewster were the first super-
intendents. From 1856 to 1873 the duties of that position were performed
by R. C. R. Chase, since which time the pastor has been continuously elected
superintendent. The present assistant is G. M. Beckwith.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Ausable Forks was organized about
the year 1840. Among the first members were the Vanderwarkers, John
Gibson and wife, Benjamin Kent and family, Mrs. Farrington, Joel Bull, Zimri
Carpenter, George Griswold. The name of the first pastor does not appear
in the records. In 1848 Revs. Charles L. Hagar and Andrew McGilton were
sent to the Wilmington circuit, which included Ausable Forks. During that
and the following year the church edifice was completed, at a cost of about
$3,000. In 1874 and '75, under the influence of Rev. G. H. Robbins, the
church was enlarged and thoroughly repaired, and a new bell swung, at a total
cost of about eighteen hundred and fifty dollars.
The Sunday-school was organized in 1857, under the superintendence of
L. D. Gray. The second superintendent was C. D. Meigs. In i860 E. A.
Richardson followed him and held the position until May, 1884, when the
present incumbent, Nathan Jones, was elected.
In 1854 North Jay, and in 1876 Palmer Hill, were attached to the Ausable
Forks charge, and are now considered a part of the church. The total mem-
bership of the church is one hundred and twenty-four, and of the Sunday-
school one hundred and twenty-five. The present pastor is Rev. E. C. Far-
well. The trustees are E. A. Richardson, William Weston, G. L. Gray. ^o
466 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XXXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ELIZABETHTOWN.
THIS town was formed from Crown Point on the I2th day of February,
1798, and received its name from William Gilliland, the pioneer of the
county, in honor of his daughter, whose name was EHzabeth. ^ Parts of the
towns of Moriah and Keene were taken off in 1 808, and of Westport in 18x5;
a part of Jay and Lewis was annexed in 1844, and a part of Lewis in 1854.
Since this date the boundaries have remained unchanged. It lies a little north-
east of the center of the county and is bounded on the north by the towns of
Jay and Lewis ; on the east by Westport ; on the south by Moriah and North
Hudson, and on the west by Keene. Much of the surface is mountainous and
rugged, not over one-fourth of it being susceptible of profitable cultivation.
The Boquet mountains occupy the north and northwest part and the Schroon
range extends into the southeast part. The " Giant of the Valley," the high-
est peak of the Boquet range, reaches an altitude of about 4,500 feet; a por-
tion of this peak is in the town of Keene ; Raven Mountain, an offshoot of the
Boquet range, situated in the northeastern part, is 2,100 feet above tide.
Other prominent peaks in the town are Cobble Mountain and Bald Peak. The
mountain scenery of the northern and western parts of the town and the less
elevated uplands of the eastern part give the surface a picturesque variety,
while in many portions it becomes grand in the extreme.
The Boquet river flows in a northeasterly direction across near the center
of the town, and its branch (known as the Little Boquet) flows eastward near
the northern line. The Black river forms the north half of the boundary hne
between this town and Westport. Numerous other smaller streams drain the
town and furnish unlimited water power in various localities. A large part of
the arable land of the town lies in the valley of the Boquet. Black and Long
ponds are situated in the extreme southeastern part. The soil is a sandy or
gravelly loam, generally light except in the valleys, where it is fertile. Ex-
tensive deposits of iron ore are found in the town.
Lying back about five miles from the lake this town escaped to a large ex-
tent the ravages of the Indians in their wars and the no less destructive cam-
paigns of the French and English contest and the Revolutionary struggle ; but
it is quite certain that the natural beauty of the Boquet valley and its attrac-
1 Elizabeth Gilliland became the wife of Daniel Ross, first judge, and mother of William D. Ross,
merchant, of Essex, who built the first nail works in the county, at " Boquet," in Essex ; and of Hon.
Henry H. Ross, Member of Congress 1825-7 and a prominent officer in the militia at Plattsburg in
1814; he was afterward major-general of militia. Mr. Gilliland had another daughter named Charlotte,
from whom Charlotte in Vermont was named. She became the wife of Stephen Cuyler, the first county
clerk, and mother of Colonel Edward S. Cuyler; county clerk 1834 to 1840.
Town of Elizabethtown. 467
a
tions as a hunting-ground made it a favorite resort at intervals for the Indians,
while it was undoubtedly traveled by them more or less in their journeys from
the lake to the northward and northwestward. There is a tradition that the
ranger, Rogers, made an incursion against an Indian village at North Elba,
but found the inhabitants all absent on a hunt. Returning, he passed through
the valley now occupied by Elizabethtown village, where he was overtaken by
the pursuing Indians and a battle ensued in which many of the Indians were
slain. The chief corroboration of this tradition is that large numbers of Indian
arrows and utensils have been found in that vicinity and many trees were
found pierced with bullets by those who cleared the locality.
Early Settlements. — Elizabethtown was settled to some extent during the
last decade of the seventeenth century. Among those who first penetrated its
wilderness depths to make permanent homes for themselves and their poster-
ity were William and Elijah Kellogg, two brothers, who located on the river
two or three miles southeast of the site of Elizabethtown village. William
Kellogg was subsequently thrown out of a wagon and killed. His obituary
pubHshed at the time of his death stated that he was a participator in the Wy-
oming massacre and had the credit of killing the noted Indian, Captain Turkey.
William Kellogg's son Rowland died about 1845, leaving three sons ; one of
them was Orlando, father of the present proprietor of the Windsor House in
Elizabethtown village. He was a Member of Congress during Lincoln's ad-
ministration ; was a warm friend of the martyred president, and is said to have
resembled him in person. Rowland C. Kellogg, the present district attorney
of the county, is another son of Rowland, and married the daughter of R. W.
Livingston. (See attorneys of the town.)
Many of the first settlements were made in the vicinity of New Russia, but
gradually tended more and more towards the site of Elizabethtown village and
on Simonds Hill. Sampson Smith located, probably as early as 1792 or 1793,
a mile southwest of New Russia's site, and Jonah Hanchett settled on Si-
monds Hill at a very early day. He had a son who was cut in twain on a
buzz-saw about i860.
Simonds Hill derived its name from Gardner and Erastus Simonds, who
located there about 1792. William and Elijah Simonds, now living, are sons
of Erastus. Ezra Nichols was a very early settler on this hill. Nathan Lewis
located in the northeast part of the town near what has since been known as
Brainard's Forge. Dr. Asa Post came in before the beginning of the century
and settled ; he came from Vergennes and formerly from Saybrook, Conn^
He located a little north from the site of New Prussia, and died about i860, at
the age of ninety-three years. His grandson, Almon Post, lives on a farm adja-
cent to the old homestead. Mr. Rusco (now spelled Roscoe) was one of the
first, if |not the very first settler, on the northern part of the site of Elizabeth-
town village, where John Barton now lives. There was then only a very small
clearing here, about where the residence of Judge Hand is situated.
468 History of Essex County.
■ — « — — — —
Anson Finney came into the town in 1797 with his brother Heman ; he
located on what is now known ^s the Sanders farm. There were then no
roads nor bridges over which the pioneers could pass with comfort or conven-
ience, and it is related that Heman Finney had to carry his wife across the
streams on his back. This region was then almost an unbroken wilderness,
without buildings or clearings.
Giles and Ira Phelps settled on a farm adjoining, or near, that of Dr. Post,
before mentioned. Samuel Dunning, now living at New Russia, is a grandson
of Giles Phelps. David Osgood located on the Westport road about a mile
east of Elizabethtown, on a farm of such forbidding character that it seemed
beyond human endeavor to secure a living from it. After a few years here he
removed to a lot nearer the village. His son's widow now occupies both lots.
Jonathan Steele lived on a farm between the two Osgood lots, which is now
owned by Mr. Jordan. He was also owner of the Steele ore bed and at an
early day built a forge on the Boquet, in the east part of the town. The site
is now overflowed by the stream. Zachariah Straight made an early clearing
on the road to Brainard's Forge and built a house there, which is still standing.
Jacob Southwell built an early forge on Black river. Ralph Phelps located
back of Buck Hill and brought his farm into a good state of cultivation ; it is
now owned by Mrs. Parker.
Amos Rice built a grist-mill about a mile west of Elizabethtown and passed
his life there. Truman Rice (locally known as " Governor " Rice) resided on
the hill just west of the village. He removed to Ohio about 183 1, and one of
his daughters married Governor Reuben Wood. He visited Elizabethtown
with his wife and expressed himself so much pleased with the prospect from the
eminence north of and overlooking the village, that it has since been universally
known as Wood Hill. It is 1,151 feet above tide (Colvin).
John Knox, who settled at an early day at the foot of Hurricane Mountain,
left two sons who still reside on the homestead. Sylvanus, John, and Bough-
ton Lobdell located on Black river. John had several sons, one of whom,
Erastus, owns the farm called at one time the Newcomb farm, just east of the
Raven Pass on the Westport road; Jacob and Jerome, who now own and occupy
the old Durand place, and Levi and James, who are now in the Western States.
Phillip Miller located on the Keene road, up the valley of the Little Boquet.
He had a large family, and two of his descendants now live in the town, the
youngest son, Nathan M., and a grandson. Manoah Miller settled next to
Phillip. He become well known as "Judge" Miller.
Joseph Durand was an early settler two miles up the valley. He was of
French descent and is said to have been directly connected with the nobil-
ity. He is remembered as a man who was much liked and respected by all
who knew him. He had three sons, all of whom are dead. One of them,
Milo, left a numerous family, of whom two sons, Alonzo M. and Alembert J.,
and two daughters, are still residents of the town.
Town of Elizabethtown. 469
Nathan Perry, who was born in what is now the town of Lewis, in 1803,
removed into this town in 1814; he lived here until 1833, after which he was
West forty-five years. His father was deputy sheriff in 1815 and 1820. He
is still living and has been of valuable assistance in furnishing material for this
work.
Joseph Blake lived on the Boquet about a mile east of the village of Eliza-
bethtown, where he died about i860, having been for many years a deacon in
and a substantial prop of the Congregational Church of the town.
Ashbel Bronson settled about a quarter of a mile beyond Mr. Blake's farm.
John Blake lived next west of his brother Joseph and died before 1830. Eli-
jah Calkin located three miles west of the village site, and was the father of Isaac,
Calvin, Colonel John, Benjamin, Elon, Hiram, Elijah, Ransom, and a daugh-
ter who became the wife of Pollus A. Newell. Ithia Judd came into the town
from Oneida county at an early day and located on Simonds Hill. He had no
children of his own, but adopted a son, David, who became a prominent citizen.
Jonas Gibbs was an early settler in the village and built and lived many
years in a house which burned some thirty-five years ago, where E. M. Mar-
vin now lives on the " Plain."
Azel Abel came into the town from Shoreham, Vt., and " kept tavern "
in a log house on the old site of the Valley House on the bank of the Little
Boquet. He afterward moved up the valley about two miles. He was the
father of Oliver Abel, who died at the age of ninety-one years, in 1880, and
was father of Leander and Oliver Abel, and two daughters, now residents of
the town.
Ashbel Bronson, with his sons Selah, Roman, Ashbel, and Samuel, was
an old settler on the old " Bronson farm," on the Simonds Hill road.
Theodore Ross was also among the earliei settlers in the village, and was a
lawyer and represented the county in the Assembly in the years 1804, 1805
and 1806.
These names comprise a large majority of the prominent settlers in this
town, beginning about 1790 and continuing down to 18 17, by far the greater
portion of them having come into the town before the beginning of the cen-
tury. They found the region a dense wilderness, and it was their labors, pri-
vations, and hardships which laid the foundations of whatever prosperity has
since been enjoyed. From the rude, often very rude, log dwellings in which .
they lived while- combating in the struggle of life in a territory where only
the most persevering and energetic could hope for any satisfactory measure of
success, they advanced in course of time to the building and occupation of
comfortable frame houses ; their lands were cleared of logs and stumps and an
air of thrift and comfort settled upon the town. The following list of names
constitutes the jury list of 181 7, and comprises nearly all of those we have men-
tioned, and may be presumed to include nearly all of the prominent freeholders
470 History of Essex County.
of the town in that year : Stephen Ashley, Azel Abel, Joseph Blake, Chester
Bristol, Nathan Betts, David Brainard, Ashbel Bronson, jr , John Blake, Lu-
cius Bishop, Elijah Calkin, Case Cummings, Calvin Calkin, Isaac Calkin, John
Calkin, Joseph Durand, John Daniels, Simeon Durand (son of Joseph), Na-
than Estabrook, Anson Finney, Frederick Haasz, Eben Hanchett, Ithia Judd,
Elijah Kellogg, William Kellogg, 2d, John Knox, Rowland Kellogg, Orson
Kellogg, Sylvanus Lobdell, Jacob Lobdell, Phillip Miller, Moses Noble, Ezra
Nichols, PoUus A. Newell, David Osgood, Ira Phelps, Ralph Phelps, Aaron B.
Palmer, Azor Rusco, Amos Rice, Truman Rice, Jonathan Steele, Zachariah
Straight, John Smith, 2d, Jaccb Southwell, Gardner Simonds, Erastus Simonds,
Alexander Trimble.
In 1817 David Brainard had built a forge on Black creek, on the Elizabeth-
town side, and a second one had been erected near by by Joshua Daniels ; the
latter was a cousin of John, whose name appears in the foregoing list.
The County Seat. — Elizabethtown has been the county seat since the
spring of 1807, when an act was passed appointing Peter Sailley, of Plattsburg,
David Thomas and John Savage, of Washington county, as commissioners to
designate the proper place for the Essex county court-house, "the matter to
be attended to before the first day of August, 1807." Those gentlemen were
allowed three dollars a day for their not too agreeable duty. It seems that
the beautiful valley in the northern part of this town, where an incipient village
was already located, and to which nature directly pointed by having formed
"passes" through the circumjacent hills, as well as the nearest practicable site
to the center of the county, overcame all other arguments (if there were any),
and the county seat was removed from the village of Essex, where the courts
had been previously held in the block- house built there as a protection against
possible Indian incursions. The first court-house was built on a very modest
scale, but was burned soon after its erection and at once rebuilt under the
superintendence of Manoah Miller, Theodoras Ross and Delevan Delance.
These buildings stood on or near the site of the present court-house and clerk's
office. In 1823 the court- house was again burned and rebuilt in brick, the
first installment being a one-story structure. In 1843 the second story was
added, in which the court-room was placed. The last addition, by which the
wing was added, was made in 1885. The clerk's office was built in 1833.
(See preceding history of county buildings.)
The State Arsenal. — The land on which stood the old State arsenal was
acquired by the State in 18 12. This was one of the latest acts in this county
growing out of the war spirit engendered by the last struggle with Great
Britain. The land was purchased of Simeon Frisbie and the building, now
occupied by Vinal Denton, was erected soon afterward. An armament was
kept there for a number of years, and during the agitation of the community
over what was called the " patriot war" in Canada a portion of the arms were
Town of Elizabethtown. 471
carried off by those intending to give aid and comfort to the insurgents. Some
of these were found after the collapse of that movement in a school-house in
Chesterfield. The arsenal from this time fell into disuse and about the year
1850 was purchased from the State by Ira Marks, and has since been used as
a hotel.
Early Schools. — The inhabitants of this town were dilatory in making
arrangements, crude and imperfect though they were, for the education of their
children. The early district schools scattered throughout the States wherever
a few families had located were one of the prime causes of the general intelli-
gence that has since pervaded all Northern American communities, and hence
of the industry and prosperity of the people. A Dr. Kincade is recorded as
the firs school-teacher in the town ; but where his school was located, or in
what year he taught it, we have not learned. We may be sure, however, that
it was as early as the beginning of the century. The town records show that
in 18 1 3 the town was divided into twelve school districts, which would give
the scattered population tolerable educational facilities, even if the little ones
did have to tramp sometimes two miles over dreadful roads, only to sit through
the day on the soft side of a slab, which gradually seemed to grow harder as
night approached. William Simonds relates that about the time of the division
alluded to, there was a log school-house on Simonds Hill, in which he learned
the rudiments of the common branches. His first teacher there was Huldah
Little, and he recollects that she used to punish him by making him climb up
the logs outside the building and hold on to the roof by his hands ; here his
punishment consisted in getting a large share of the smoke from the old Dutch
chimney into his eyes and nostrils.
There was then a numerously attended school in the village on the site of
the brick school-house. A boarding-school was established here as early as
1823, which was kept by Miss Asenath Hatch, who became the wife of Nor-
man Nicholson.
Early Roads, Town Records, etc. — One of the first needs of every pioneer
community is roads over which the settlers may communicate with each other
and the outside world. Roads to the distant village, whence supplies could be
obtained and whither the products of the farm could be carried and sold;
roads for social and other visits between neighbors ; roads to accommodate the
early lumber interest and the pioneer forges — these were what were needed
in early days, more, perhaps, than any other improvement. Hence it is that
the records of every town for the first quarter of the century, and the State
legislation during the same period, were over-run with details and descriptions
of new roads and needed improvements on old ones. The office of highway
commissioner was no sinecure in those days. The road-making of this town
can be authentically traced back to the first year of the century, when a high-
way was ordered laid out " from the bridge by Azel Abel's on the west side ;
472 History of Essex County.
thence northerly on the south side of the branch about 20 rods ; from thence
across the branch in a northerly direction on the north side of the branch threw
the land of Eliza Rich, nearly to the line between s'd Rich and Thomas
Squires' ; from thence to the dugway by Thomas Squires' house ; from thence
westerly about 100 rods; from thence north through the notch in the hill
about 30 rods ; from thence westerly till it strikes the road that is now traveled
from the north to Stephen Rusco's mill."
In the same year (1800) another highway was laid out, which is thus
described : " From the road now traveled to Willsborough to Stephen Rusco's
saw-mill, beginning at a corner on the Willsborough road on land of Major
Jonathan Breckinridge about 80 rods north of s'd Breckinridge's saw-
mill ; from thence on a westerly direction as the road is now traveled through
Roger H. Woodruff's improvements, and on through s'd Woodruffs land;
thence on nearly as the road is now traveled to Henry Knolton's house ;
thence on in A westerly direction threw -s'd Knolton's land as the road is now
traveled to Simon Rusco's house ; from thence nearly as the road is now trav-
eled to Stephen Rusco's saw-mill." Henry Knolton and Azel Abel were
named as the commissioners to lay out this road.
/ In this year the " lake road," as it was termed, was laid out from the south
to the north line of the town. It will be borne in mind that Westport had not
then been taken from Elizabethtown.
In 1 801 another road was opened from " Thomas Squires' to John Gibbs',
threw Ananias Rogers', Henry Knowlton's and Timothy Spaulding's clear-
ing;' and another " from the road south of the branch by Azel Abel's on
towards Willsborough, beginning at the road south of the bridge by s'd
Abel's ; from thence running a northwardly direction threw s'd Abel's land ;
thence threw Isaac Bristol's land; thence threw Norman Newell's land; thence
threw Maj. Jonathan Brakenridge's land to s'd Brakenridge's saw- mill ; thence
on northwardly on s'd B's land about 80 rods to the corner, the survey being
about 2 miles and one forth, as the road is now traveled."
The records of this town, which have been preserved since its organization,
are made up during these early years of scores of pages describing the early
highways, the rapid opening of which are, perhaps, indicative of both the
energy and progressiveness of the inhabitants, and the advancement of settle-
ment in the town. The next highway laid down was " from the bridge west
of Northwest Bay (Westport) to Pleasant Valley." Another from Rock Har-
bor to Willsborough ; another from Northwest Bay to Elizabethtown, opposite
the mill in Pleasant Valley ; and finally, to close the record, another " from
Azel Abel's to the northwest inhabitants." The older residents of these sec-
tions will be able to locate these highways, and to others we commend the
study of the old town records.
The reader has noticed in these brief transcriptions some examples of
Town of Elizabethtown. 473
quaint language and spelling. Rather than look upon this as an evidence of
prevailing willful ignorance, it should be considered as the unavoidable con-
sequence of the limited educational advantages enjoyed by our forefathers ;
while it lends an amusing character to the records, it also gives them a quaint
and peculiar interest, outside of their subject matter. Many a man has found
it an impossible task to master the bewildering orthography of our mother
tongue, even amid the most favorable circumstances. A peculiar example of
quaint recording is the following verbatim quotation from the records relative
to the building of that very necessary pioneer institution, a pound : —
" Pound — To be bilt at the Dwelling House of Jonas Gibbs thirty feet
Square with a good dore Hinges and Lock, to be bilt by the first of June next
and if the Person that shall agree to build it Doth Neglect shall forfit the Sum
to the amount he agrees to Build it for.
" Jonas Gibbs to build s'd Pound thirty feet square for ten Dollars and
fifty cents. Jonas Gibbs pound keeper.''
" Law of all fences, four feet six inches high."
In the spring of 1808 the town of Keene was taken from Elizabethtown,
as was also a part of Moriah ; and in 1815 Westport was formed from Eliza-
bethtown, constituting the last division of this town. Portions of the towns
of Jay and Lewis, and ten years later another portion of Lewis, were added
to the town, since which the town boundaries have remained unaltered.
In the year 1801 Captain Elijah Bishop, Azel Rusco, John Rusco and
Stephen Ashley were appointed commissioners to ascertain the town line
between Elizabethtown, Willsborough and Jay, " or as far as they shall thinck
propper." In the same year a special meeting was called at which it was
" Resolved, By a majoraty on County Ballots that Ebenezer Newell be app.
one of the Justices of the county court in place of Asa Adgate, he decline."
It was not till iSiOthat the community was informed by the town authori-
ties that "hogs sheep and horses shall not be free commoners." Bounties
were paid for the killing of wolves, whose depredations caused the farmers
much trouble ; and as late as 1834 the boys of the town were placed in the
way of adding to their pocket-money through the offer by the town of " six
cents apiece to persons who kills a crow or crows."
Early Mills, Stores and Taverns, etc. — Cutting and marketing lumber
in this town was the chief industry of the inhabitants, aside from their agricul-
tural labors, and outranked even them, at certain periods, for many years after
the first settlements. Most of the town was covered with a heavy growth of
valuable soft woods, interspersed to some extent with hard timber. This had
to be cleared from the ground before it could be cultivated ; sawed into lum-
ber it found a ready market, particularly after the opening of the Champlain
canal, and all through the winter months the roads to the lake were thronged
with loaded teams. The lumber busine.ss reached its height between 1820 and
474 History of Essex County.
1830 ; but is still carried on to some extent. In earlier days the burning of
the refuse wood from the forests, and in many instances of valuable timber, to
obtain the ashes which were manufactured into potash, was followed by many
of the inhabitants ; this product found a ready market in Vermont and other
localities, and was much easier transported than logs and lumber. These
sources of early revenue were of almost incalculable benefit to the pioneers
and later settlers ; and if few have become permanently wealthy in the pursuit
of the lumber trade, it certainly kept the town in a general state of activity
for many years and must have added materially to its wealth as a whole.
The lumber business led, of course, to the early building of numerous
saw-mills on the streams wherever there was sufficient fall to turn a wheel.
Grist-mills also soon followed, as one of the first necessities of every new
community. One of the very first saw-mills in the town was built by Amos
Rice on the branch of the Boquet, on the site of the present grist-mill. In
1823 or 1824 Reuben Bristol built a grist-mill about a mile above Rice's mill,
on the branch. These pioneer mills were numerously multiplied during the
first quarter of the century ; but a large proportion of the saw-mills of the
town have been abandoned and fallen into decay. William D. Ross had a
grist-mill and a distillery, which stood near the site of Mr. Thompson's store.
Upon the lands that were cleared of soft-wood trees a species of poplar
has sprung up in many sections, as a second growth. Unexpectedly to the
inhabitants until recent years, this peculiar soft, white wood has developed
into a source of considerable revenue to those who own land covered with it.
This has resulted through the establishment of several large pulp-mills and
paper manufactories in Ticonderoga, in which immense quantities of the wood
are used in the production of excellent printing paper. The trees are cut
down and into proper length, stripped of their bark, and drawn to the railroad
at Westport, and shipped thence to the mills. It is estimated that 20,000
cords of poplar have been cut and drawn from Elizabethtown in one year.
Country taverns did a more prosperous business in pioneer times than at
the present day ; and it was not then deemed necessary that they should be
located in a village or hamlet, though many of them were. They were scat-
tered through all towns with more or less frequency, on the prominent roads,
where the stages and mail carriers traveled, and over which the prospectors and
settlers commonly entered. Moreover, in those days the sale of spirituous
liquors was unrestricted, and almost everybody drank whiskey or rum habitually.
The practice was not tainted with disgrace, nor looked upon as a serious weakness
as it is now ; all classes indulged, and no public occasion, from a " logging bee "
in a settler's clearing to the raising of a church frame or the marriage of a
social favorite, was considered au fait without the presence of the ubiquitous
jug. This fact undoubtedly rendered the keeping of country taverns still more
profitable. The early landlords, or many of them, combined other occupa-
Town of Elizabethtown. 475
tions with that of furnishing "food and lodgings for man and beast." There
were many of these hostelries in this town before the end of the first decade
of the century ; but the traces of most of them have disappeared. The old
hotel building nearly opposite the Valley House was built previous to 18 10
by Simeon Frisbie, who kept it until 18 16, when Asahel Root took it. It
was siibsequently kept by Horace Hapgood.
A small tavern that stood on the site of the Mansion House in 181 1 was
owned by Henry H. Ross, and was kept by Miss Lucy Willard ; when she sub-
sequently entered the more congenial sphere of married life her sister, Miss
Betsey Willard, kept the house.
The first structure going towards making the present American Hotel was
built in 1 8 10, and was long occupied by Daniel Ross, who lived in one end
and kept store in the other.
The more modern hotels of the town will be described a little further on.
A general store was kept in Elizabethtown as early as 1808, where the
American House now stands, by Jonathan Steele ; and there were other small
business places about that time. Mr. Steele was succeeded by Daniel Ross in
1813, and he by Edmund F. Williams. The building, with its additions, subse-
quently became a hotel. In 18 18 Ira Marks opened a store a Httle west of the
court-house grounds, near the end of the bridge. It was carried away by a flood
in 1830. He afterwards kept a store where Mr. Jacobs is now located, and built
that building. Charles and Henry Noble kept a general store about 1820, on
Water street near the bridge. They also had a shoe manufactory, a harness
shop and a tannery, employing at times twenty men. The old tannery is still
operated by Charles H. Noble, a son of Henry. Samuel Shepherd was an
early merchant and had a store near the site of Charles N. Williams's house.
He afterwards kept the American House in Troy.
Pioneer Religious Work. — Christian believers have always found it as easy
to worship their Creator in the wilderness as in the cathedral, and religious
meetings have always followed close upon the advent of settlers in new regions.
In Elizabethtown the inhabitants had not only held religious meetings, but
organized a Baptist Society as early as 1796. Methodist services were held
in the town at an early day, first in dwellings, then iri the school-house, and
subsequently in the court-house. The society was organized in 1832; and
the Congregationalist Society in 1821. Further details of church history will
be found in subsequent pages.
Railroads, Plank Roads, etc. — In the preceding chapter on the internal
improvements of the county we have described the project of a railroad from
Glens Falls northward through Essex county. Had this line been constructed
it would have passed through Elizabethtown village, and thus given the county
seat communication southward and northward with the outside world ; but a
greater source of anxiety as regards transportation has always been felt rela-
4/6 History of Essex County.
tive to getting to and from the lake. The persistent agitation over the re-
moval of the county seat, chiefly on account of its interior situation, has caused
much of this anxiety. Lawyers and clients have united in an oft- renewed
struggle for this removal to some point where they could reach the courts by
rail, or at least by steamboat. This was one of the influences that led, in 1845
(about the middle of the period when all communities were acutely afflicted
with what may be termed the plank- road fever), to the construction of a plank
road from Elizabethtown to Westport. For this purpose the town raised
$8,000 and Westport about $2,000. Judge Hand and David Judd each gave
$1,000, and Whallon & Judd a like sum. A stock company was formed and
the road immediately built. The interest on the investment was paid once or
twice from the tolls, but no dividend was ever realized. About 1864, under
the law giving such privilege, the road was transformed into a turnpike, since
which time its prospects have slightly improved in a financial sense, it having
recently paid something on the investment.
In the year 1883 the inhabitants of the town, as well as those of Westport,
ardently believed the time had arrived when they would secure railroad trans-
portation to the lake to connect with the main line, a consummation which
would forever quiet the agitation over the removal of the county seat. Mr.
Macomber, who was largely interested in the iron business, took an
active part in forwarding the project and sought the association of gentlemen
who had been connected with the building of the West Shore road. F. A.
Smith, Byron Pond, Orlando Kellogg, H. A. Putnam, A. K. Dudley, Charles
N. Williams, and other leading men of the town extended to the enterprise
their countenance and aid. Meetings were held and a sufficient sum of money
raised for a survey, which was made. The line contemplated ran from D. L.
Allen's dock in Westport to the western terminus of the turnpike in Elizabeth-
town, following the course of the turnpike. The distance is about nine miles
and the survey proved the route a feasible one, with a grade not exceeding
sixty feet to the mile. Estimates of the cost were prepared, and a proposition
made to raise $25,000 in this town, turn the present turnpike interest towards
the project, making the latter free, and raise an equal amount from other
sources. With this it was the purpose to so far advance the work that suffi-
cient funds to complete it could be borrowed. One hundred thousand dollars
was the estimated cost of the entire work. But the community was doomed
to disappointment ; the West Shore troubles came on, preventing aid from
that direction, and the project had to be reluctantly abandoned. But it is
within the probabilities that this improvement will be effected within a few
years.
The Iron Interest. — What has been known as the EHzabethtown and
Westport district is a continuation of the same range in which has been de-
veloped the immense iron interest of the town of Moriah. Its geological for-
Town of Elizabethtown. 477
mation and general natural characteristics are the same. Several mines have
been opened and worked to a greater or less extent within the limits of Eliza-
bethtown, but the industry has never reached that importance which has
attached to it in a few other localities, and it is now largely abandoned. We
have already briefly mentioned several of the earliest forges in the town.
One of the first beds discovered here was called the Castaline bed, which
was opened and worked considerably as early as 1 800. The ore was largely
transported to Hinesburg, Vt, where it was worked up. The bed is situated
on land now owned by Almon Post, and the Ross estate has an interest in
the ore.
Ross bed is situated on lot number 72, about a mile northeast of the bed
just described, on what is called the Roaring Brook tract. It was also discov-
ered at the beginning of the century and is almost identical in quality with the
former mentioned bed. The depth of the vein in its passage under the moun-
tain prevented its extensive working, though the ore that was formerly taken
out produced a good quality of iron. The bed is on land now belonging to
Dennis Fitzgerald and the ore belongs to the same estate as that of the Casta-
line bed.
The Nigger Hill, or, as more commonly known, the Haasz bed, was dis-
covered between 1825 and 1830 by Frederick Haasz. It is situated about five
miles south of the village of Elizabethtown. The ore which was taken from
the bed for a number of years was used in the forge of H. R. Noble, to which
we have alluded, which was known as the Kingdom forge. Mixed with the
ore from the old Sanford bed it was esteemed a good ore and worked successfully
in the forge ; portions of it worked admirably alone. The analysis was very
similar to that given of the ore from the Castaline bed. The property formed a
part of what was sold in 1864 to the "Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Com-
pany," in which Jay Cook was a prominent member.
The Wakefield bed, discovered about 1845 and opened by Colonel E. F.
Williams, is now owned by Stephen Pitkin and the ore belongs to the Ross
estate.
Little Pond bed was discovered about 1840; it is situated about two miles
from the village of Elizabethtown, on lot number 199, Iron Ore Tract. Colo-
nel Williams also opened this remarkable deposit, which was long looked upon
as almost "a mountain of ore." The most brilliant anticipations were enter-
tained of its richness and what would be developed from its extensive work-
ings ; but the subsequent developments did not justify such anticipations. The
title of the property is now in a gentleman living in Ogdensburg, W. J.
Averill.
The Judd bed was discovered in 1845 ^^'^ during the succeeding ten years
was opened and worked to some extent by David Judd. It is now owned by
a Boston company.
478 History of Essex County.
What is known as the Finney bed was discovered in 1854 on lot 139 of
the iron ore tract ; it was opened by O. Abel, jr., W. W. Root, J. E. McVine
and J. H. Sanders. Large quantities of ore have been taken from the bed,
which produces iron of a superior quality. It was sold in 1865 to the Vulcan
Furnace Company, who still owns it.
About the same year the Gates bed was discovered on an adjoining lot ;
it is supposed to be a continuation of the same vein as that just described, and
was opened by Willis Gates. It is now the property of H. A. Putnam.
The Burt bed was discovered in 1840 ; it is in the extreme southeast part
of the town near the Fisher Hill mine, the ore from the two being very similar
in character. The vein dips at an angle of forty-five degrees and the slope is
opened for several hundred feet. The ore is hoisted in boxes which shde on
" ways " laid along the slope. The Burt ore has been successfully worked in
the Kingdom and the Valley forges. It passed with the other property men-
tioned to the Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company, for which, with the
Steel bed and other property, was paid more than $100,000 in 1864.
The Lake Champlain Ore Company, organized in 1 884, bought out the
interests of the Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company. The capital stock is
$350,000.
The Steele bed is located about half a mile southeast of Elizabethtown vil-
age, on lot 189 of the iron ore tract. It was discovered in 18 10 and worked soon
after that by Jonathan Steele, from whom it took its name. Mr. Steele built
his forge in 1817. After the destruction of the local forges in 1830 by a great
freshet, the bed was not worked for many years. In 1850 Messrs. Whallon
& Judd used the ore to a considerable extent, from quantities of it that had
been raised and long exposed to the elements ; in its original condition it was
considered sulphurous. In 1866 Mr. Remington sank a new shaft from which
he raised ore that was nearly free from sulphur. This bed was purchased by
the Kingdom Iron Ore Company, of which Erastus Corning, of Albany, was a
prominent member.
The Odell bed, a name given to two openings in the eastern part of the
town, neither of which has been worked to any considerable extent, on ac-
count of the sulphur in th'e ore, constituted a part of the property which was
purchased by the Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company, as before stated.
The same is true of the Mitchell bed on lot 116, iron ore tract, which was
opened by Eliab Mitchell ; it was discovered about 1830.
The Buck and Noble beds are situated on lots numbers 109 and no, iron
ore tract, and near the boundary line between Elizabethtown and Moriah. Lot
109 is owned by the heirs of Hiram Buck and the other lot by those of Henry
Noble. The deposit was discovered in 1865. The ore is valuable, does not
require separating, "but is pounded and thus directly prepared for the forge.
The Thompson shaft is also near the line between Elizabethtown and Mo-
Town of Elizabethtown. 479
riah; it is on lot number 48, iron ore tract, and was opened about 1869.
About twenty- five tons of ore were raised daily for some time after the shaft
was opened.
In 1854 a vein was discovered and partially opened on lot number 127,
North River Head tract. The ore was suitable for furnaces.
The present depression of the iron interest, and similar periods in the recent
past, have operated to render unprofitable a vigorous prosecution of the min-
ing and manufacturing business, and most of the beds described have been
practically abandoned.
Among the forges that were erected early in the century was one at New
Russia, built in 1802, on the Boquet ; it was rebuilt a number of times and in
i860 almost entirely reconstructed. In 1869 it passed to the possession of E. H.
and H. A. Putnam, who operated it with both steam and water power ; it had
three fires and a hammer of 1,800 pounds. The firm owned the new Russia
mine, a short distance from the works ; they also used ore from the Fisher Hill
bed, six miles distant. The forge property is now owned by Herbert A. Put-
nam ; it has not been operated for a few years past. Ore is now brought here
to some extent from the Cheever bed in Moriah.
In 1817 Jonathan Steele built his forge on the Little Boquet. Brainard's
forge was erected about the same year, 1817, on Black river. Daniel's forge,
a little below, was built about 1820. They have been long abandoned and a
saw-mill stands between the sites.
"Deacon" Southwell built a forge on the river in 1825; this was also
abandoned years ago.
The Kingdom forge was erected on Black Creek in 1825 by Frederick
Haasz, who operated it till his death, after which it was owned by Henry R.
Noble, and later by R. Remington & Co-. In was enlarged after 1864, by the
Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company, who acquired the property with their
large purchase already described ; about 11,000 acres of woodland were also
included in their purchase, from which the supply of wood and charcoal was
obtained for their operations.
Valley forge was erected in 1846, and was operated for several years by
Messrs. Whallon & Judd. It was situated on the Boquet about a quarter of
a mile from Elizabethtown village. The property passed through several hands
and finally to the Lake Champlain Ore and Iron Company in 1864. In 1866
the works yielded 1,050 tons of iron, and consumed 120,000 bushels of coal.
These last two named forges have fallen into ruins.
A forge was erected about 1825 at Split Rock nine miles south of Eliza-
bethtown village, by Basil Bishop. He was a son of Elijah Bishop, who was
one of the early settlers before mentioned. Bainbridge Bishop, a grandson of
Elijah, now lives on the homestead. Basil Bishop was a somewhat eccentric
character ; was possessed of native artistic genius of no mean order. The forge
48o History of Essex County.
has been long abandoned. Indeed, none of those described are being operated,
and none is capable of being repaired except Mr. Putnam's. It is entirely un-
certain what will be the future of the iron interest in the town.
The Town in the Rebellion. — This town was one of the foremost in the
county in the prompt contribution of men and means to aid in putting down
the Southern Rebellion. Its various quotas under the calls of the president for
volunteers were filled with patriotic zeal; liberal bounties were paid and the
money furnished in accordance with the recommendations of the county su-
pervisors ; the families of disabled soldiers were kindly cared for, while the
long death-roll shows that those who volunteered did not flinch from their duty
on the battle-field.
Company K, of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, was raised in this immediate
vicinity, under the first call for troops. Samuel C. Dwyer, a lawyer of Eliza-
bethtown, was made captain and was fatally wounded before Fort Magruder,
battle of Williamsburg. A. C. H. Livingston was second lieutenant of the com-
pany, which served two years. The first lieutenant w^s W. H. Smith ; both
of these officers resigned in August, 1861. Many volunteers went from the
town in the Ninety- third. Ninety- sixth. Seventy-seventh and other regiments ;
and in July and August, 1862, Company F, of the One Hundred and Eight-
eenth Regiment, was raised in this town, Lewis, Willsborough, Essex, West-
port and Moriah ; three companies being raised in the county for that organi-
zation. Mr. Livingston, still living in the village, received a frightful wound
at Drury's Bluff and lay for thirteen months lacking one day, in Hampton Hos-
pital, before he was able to come home. His left arm is powerless. (See mil-
itary chapter).
On the 1 2th of December, 1863, at a special town meeting it was voted to
pay a bounty to volunteers to fill the quota of the town under the last call of
the president for troops. On motion of Oliver Abel it was resolved to raise
$350 for each volunteer credited to the town on its quota. A committee of
three, consisting of R. L. Hand, Oliver Abel, jr., and Levi D. Brown, was ap-
pointed to raise the sum required for the purpose. The necessary amount
was raised and the quota filled.
On March ist, 1864, at the annual town meeting, a resolution was adopted
(offered by Byron Pond) that the credit of the town be pledged to pay $300
to volunteers and drafted men " who have been or may be credited on the
president's last call for 500,000 men, and who shall not have received a town
bounty."
It was also resolved to allow $6 per month until further notice to the
widow and child of Cornelius Brillett, of the 93d Volunteers, and the soldiers'
relief board, from whom the above appropriation emanated, also voted to pay
$5 a month toward the proper maintenance of the three children of Mar-
tin Kelly.
Town of Elizabethtown. 481
On the 27th of July, 1864, another special town meeting was held, at
which it was resolved that $300 be raised by tax to pay a town bounty to all
credits on the call for 500,000 men made July i8th, 1864. Only one person
voted against this resolution. The following named five gentlemen were
appointed recruiting officers: L. D. Brown, Oliver Abel, jr., H. A. Putnam,
John H. Glidden and H. B. Lincoln.
On the 30th of August, of the same year, another special town meeting
was called to consider the advisability of raising $350 additional bounty for
each volunteer, in addition to that offered to town credits previous to any
draft. It was also voted that for $500 of this bounty ($650 in gross to each
volunteer) bonds should be issued in accordance with the resolution of the
board of supervisors of August 5th, 1864. For the remaining $150 of said
bounty, the town auditors were authorized to issue bonds payable March ist,
1865. Charles H. Noble, Byron Pond and Matthew Hale were designated to
sell the bonds and pay the bounties.
A special town meeting was held on the 6th of February, 1865, for further
consideration of the bounty question. It was there resolved to raise a bounty
fund of $10,000, or so much thereof as should be necessary, by tax, with
which to pay bounties to all credits on the then last call of the president. It
was also voted that the auditors call on the supervisors for county bonds of
not less than $100 each, payable one quarter on the first day of March of
each year until paid ; the bonds to be converted into cash and applied to the
purpose specified.
On the 7th of March, 1865, the supervisor of the town reported to the
auditors that he had received as bounty-money the sum of $140,065.88 ; that
he had paid out the sum of $137,045.00. All of this prompt and efficient
action shows the spirit that animated the community. The general history of
the part taken by volunteers from the county in the Rebellion has already been
given in the chapter devoted to that subject.
The Legal Profession. — This town has attained a reputation of having
contributed more eminent and worthy men to the legal profession than almost
any other in the State of similar population, and the reputation of the town in
all respects relative to the profession is eminently creditable. Many promi-
nent attorneys, now located in various parts of the country, obtained their first
knowledge of law in the offices of A. C. Hand, Robert S. Hale or Orlando
Kellogg, each of whom attained to eminence ; indeed, it may be truthfully
said that the high character of the profession throughout the county, and even
beyond its limits, was acquired largely through the influence of those three
men. Being the county seat, EHzabethtown village naturally attracted the
majority of the attorneys of the county, and among them were fortunately
men destined to the highest walks of the legal profession.
Among the early lawyers of the town was Ezra C. Gross, who subse-
31
482 History of Essex County.
quently became a Member of Congress. Gardner Stowe, Norman Nicholson
and John S. Chipman practiced here years ago, the latter being here between
1830 and 1838. Ashley Pond, father of Judge Byron Pond, was an early
attorney here. Theodore Ross from about 1800 to 1830; he owned a large
farm on the " Plains," and built and lived in the Carver House, now forming a
part of the Windsor Hotel.
Judge Augustus C. Hand was born in Shoreham, Vt., September 4th,
1803, and died at his home in Ehzabethtown, August 8th, 1878. He was for
many years the leading lawyer of the county. The following sketch appeared
in the Albany Argus at the time of his death: —
" Judge Hand studied his profession at the famous law-school of Judge
Gould, in Litchfield, Conn., and subsequently in the office of Hon. Cornelius
L. Allen, at Salem, in this State. Soon after he commenced practice he was
appointed by the governor to the office of surrogate of the county of Essex,
and then took up his residence at Elizabethtown, where he has ever since
resided. He soon acquired a large practice in Northern New York, and was
for many years the leading lawyer of that section. In 1838 he was elected
representative to Congress in a district which was ordinarily adverse to him in
politics. He served with ability in the Congress of 1839 and 1840, but was
defeated in 1840, when a candidate for re-election, sharing in the overwhelm-
ing reverses of the Democratic party in the year of the Harrison campaign.
In 1844 he was elected to the State Senate from the old Fourth senatorial dis-
trict. His extended reputation as a lawyer gave him at once a prominent
place in that body, and he was chairman of the judiciary committee during
the whole of his term. .
"At the first election of justices of the Supreme Court, under the Consti-
tution of 1846, he was elected to that office in the Fourth judicial district.
He served as judge in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals from 1847 to
1855. In the latter year, although he received almost the unanimous vote of
the counties near his residence, he was defeated for re-election by the ' Know
Nothing ' uprising, which carried the State that year against both of the
old parties."
In later years Judge Hand devoted his attention to his large legal practice.
More complete details of his life and character will be found in the chapter
devoted to the Bench and Bar of the county.
Matthew Hale was born in Chelsea, Vt., and studied his profession with
Kellogg & Hale, of Elizabethtown. His first practice was in Poughkeepsie,
whence he went to New York city. Returning to Ehzabethtown, in 1863, he
formed a partnership with R. L. Hand, which continued until 1868, when he
removed to Albany. Here he formed a partnership with Samuel Hand, son
of Judge A. C. Hand, the firm being Hand, Hale & Swartz. He was a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1867, and afterwards sent to the State
Senate in 1868-69. He married a daughter of Judge Hand.
Town of Elizabethtown. 483
Richard L. Hand, son of Judge Augustus C. Hand, was born in Elizabeth-
town in 1839, graduated from Union College, and read law in his father's
office. He was admitted at Plattsburg, and was taken immediately into busi-
ness association with his father in 186 1. In 1863 Matthew Hale entered the
firm, as stated, making the firm name Hand & Hale. After his retirement,
and in 1873, Milo C. Perry became a member of the firm under the style of
Hand & Perry. The old law-office, which stood a little southeast of the pres-
ent one and was occupied by Judge Hand in 1831, was subsequently replaced
by the present in about the year 1865.
R. W. Livingston, the venerable journalist of Elizabethtown, studied law
in Judge Hand's office and was admitted to the bar in 1837. He subsequently
entered into partnership with the judge and continued from 1837 until
January, 1842, when he permanently retired from it. (See history of
the press.)
About this period Jesse Gay, who was a noted abolitionist, practiced law
in the' town for a time with R. W. Livingston, as Livingston & Gay. William
Higby was here in the profession until about 1850. He subsequently was in
the United States Congress, and is said to be still living.
Orlando Kellogg, of Elizabethtown, was admitted to the bar in 1839.
During the ten years succeeding 1846 he was a partner with Robert S. Hale.
Mr. Kellogg was sent to Congress for one term and again elected in 1862 and
1 864, but died before the meeting of that Congress. He was very influential
in the raising and organization of the 11 8th Regiment, mustered in August,
1862, in which his son, R. C. Kellogg, was successively second and first lieu-
tenant, and was looked upon by officers and men as " the father of the
regiment," making its interests the object of his special care.
Judge Francis A. Smith was born in Salisbury, Mass., in 1837. He studied
law at Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in i860,
in Poughkeepsie. He began practice in Johnstown, and in the fall of 1861
entered the army, serving until the fall of 1863. The following spring he
opened a law-office in Fonda, but remained there only until February, 1865,
when he came to Elizabethtown. He was elected county judge and surrogate
in 1878, and was re-elected in 1884, without opposition.
Judge Byron Pond was born in Ehzabethtown in 1823, and studied his
profession with Judge Hand (1838). He was adniitted to the bar in January,
1 84s, at Albany, and formed a partnership with A. C. Hand in February of
the same year. He remained there until 1847, when he was made county
judge and surrogate. He afterwards practiced with A. C. and Samuel Hand.
In May, 1856, Judge Pond, Judge Hand and Samuel Hand were in partner-
ship, continuing until 1859, when Samuel Hand retired, the other partners
remaining together until May, 1861. Judge Pond was district-attorney four
years, and in 1868 was elected county judge and surrogate. In May, 1882,
484 History of Essex County.
W. S. Brown became his partner. The office now occupied by Judge Pond
was built by him in the fall of 1876.
Alembert Pond, brother of Judge Pond, who had practiced law in Ver-
mont, was admitted to practice in this State in 1 849. He was with his brother
several years and removed to Saratoga in 1853, where he is now a member of
the law firm of Pond, French & Bracket. The father of these two brothers
was also an attorney, and had been surrogate (1819—20) and county clerk
(1821-27).
Oliver Abel was born in Elizabethtown, November nth, 1830. His legal
studies were prosecuted with John E. McVine, formerly of Port Henry, then
county judge, and a resident of Elizabethtown, where he died about 1856.
Mr. Abel was admitted to the bar in 1853. In 1872 he was elected county
treasurer, in which capacity he served three terms.
A rod K. Dudley was born in Keene in 1839. He studied law with the
late Orlando Kellogg and was his partner from 1863, when he began practice,
having been admitted in April of that year. He was district-attorney for nine
years from 1867. In 1864 he was admitted to practice in the United States
District Courts and in 1874 in the United States Circuit Court. He built his
present office on Water street late in 1873.
Rowland C. Kellogg is a native of Elizabethtown and studied law with
Judge Hand. He was graduated from the Albany Law School and was admit-
ted in 1867. He immediately began practice, at first associating himself with
D. W. Stafford, now of Troy. In 1870 the law firm of Hale, Smith & Kel-
logg, already mentioned, was formed and in the same year Mr. Kellogg was
elected district-attorney, which office he still holds. The office occupied by
him on Court street he has used since 1876.
Milo C. Perry read law with Arod K. Dudley and Hand & Hale. He was
admitted to the bar in 187 1 and began his practice as a partner of Mr. Dud-
ley. In 1874 these relations were severed and he associated himself with A.
C. and R. L. Hand, the firm becoming Hand & Perry. This arrangement
continued until the death of Judge Hand (1878). Mr. Perry, however, con-
tinued his business in the same office until the spring of 1884, when he re-
moved into his present office on Water street. Between 1868 and 1871 he
acted as under-sheriff and jailor under his father, Abijah Perry.
Robert S. Hale was admitted to the bar in about the year 1846 and prac-
ticed as a partner of Orlando Kellogg from that time to about the year 1856.
He was the father of Harry Hale, at present practicing in Elizabethtown, and
brother of Hon. Matthew Hale, of Albany. He was made county judge; was
elected to Congress, and in 1 867 was a member of the commission to settle
disputed claims for cotton seized during the Rebellion.
Walter S. Brown studied law in the office of Mr. Dudley from October,
1874, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1877, at Albany, and as at-
Town of Elizabethtown. 485
torney and counselor at Saratoga, September 5th, 1879. He remained with
Mr. Dudley until about 1881, when he joined in a partnership with his father-
in-law, Judge Pond, where he still remains.
Harry Hale, son of Robert S. Hale studied preparatory to entering college,
and was admitted to Yale, but owing to failing health was forced to relinquish
his purpose and read law in the office of Hale, Smith & Kellogg. He was ad-
mitted to the bar at the Albany General Term in 1875, and began practice in
the following year. He has since practiced continually and occupied his office
near the Valley House.
William R. Kellogg studied law in the office of Hale, Smith & Kellogg,
and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He began practice at once and from 1879
to 1 88 1 he was in the office of Judge Smith. He is a brother of Rowland C.
Kellogg and since 1882 has been associated with him.
These brief notes of the legal profession of Elizabethtown are not intended
to be in any sense biographical, but enough is said in them, probably, to show
the high character of the bench and bar in this vicinity. The reader will find
more ample details of the profession of the county in Mr. Boynton's chapter in
preceding pages.
Physicians. — The medical profession is not represented in Elizabethtown
to anything like the numbers of the legal array just described. It is a subject
of general remark that the locality is too healthful to properly support many doc-
tors; but every community needs an example of that most estimable class, a
good, kind, patient and unselfish physician. There may have been a physician
in this town earher than 1808, but if so there is no record of the fact that has
reached us. In that year Dr. Alexander Morse came here. He seems to have
been satisfied with his success, as he remained many years, during which period
he was the sole doctor in the town, with the exception of Dr. Asa Post, men-
tioned as a pioneer, who soon turned his attention largely to farming. In
pioneer times this was a profession that involved the most herculean tasks, the
most heroic exposure in all seasons in all kinds of weather, and a wonderful
amount of unselfish labor which was often but poorly paid. Indeed, physicians
have not entirely escaped the last unpleasant feature of their work to this day.
Dr. Morse was a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1809, and held sev-
eral local offices. He spent his life here and is remembered by the older in-
habitants with much esteem. A daughter still resides in the village.
Dr. Saffbrd E. Hale began practice in the town in 1842, and has remained
here ever since. He is a native of Chelsea, Vt., and was graduated from the
medical department of Dartmouth College in 1841. Though far advanced in
years he is still hale and hearty and takes his long rides with all the energy
of former days. He is a brother of the late Robert S. Hale.
Dr. Edward T. Strong became a resident of this town in December, 1882,
removing hither from Crown Point. He was born in Addison, Vt, in 1838,
and is a graduate of the University of Vermont, 1869.
486 History of Essex County.
Dr. George E. Whipple was born in Crown Point in 1857 and graduated
from the Albany Medical College in 1883. He began practice in Elizabeth-
town in 1884.
Civil List. — The first town meeting for this town was held on the 3d day
of April, 1798, at the dwelhng house of David Callender, " at which was pro-
ceeded and made choice of Town officers," as follows : —
Supervisor, Ebenezer Arnold ; clerk, Sylvanus Lobdell ; assessors, Jacob
Southwell, David Callender, Norman Newell ; overseers of the poor, Jonathan
Breckinridge, Hezekiah Barber ; constable and collector, Nathan Lewis ; con-
stable, Thomas Hinckley ; school commissioners, E. Newell, William Kellogg,
Hezekiah Barber ; overseers of highways, first district, John Santy ; second
district, N. Hinkley ; third district, John Potter ; fourth district, S. Lobdell ;
fifth district, Joseph Durand ; sixth district, Simeon Durand ; seventh district,
Jacob Seture ; eighth district, Joseph Pangburn ; ninth district, E. Newell ;
tenth district, Stephen Eldridge ; fence viewers, Hezekiah Barber, Elijah Bis-
hop, and Elijah Rich.
The present officers of the town are as follows : —
Supervisor, Arod K. Dudley; clerk, Fred E. Durand; justices of the peace,
George S. Nicholson, Stephen B. Pitkins, William R. Kellogg and Walter S.
Brown ; commissioner of highways, George W. Rice ; assessors, Leander Abel,
John K. Miller and Almon Post ; overseer of the poor, George H. Glidden ;
collector, Robert H. Wood ; auditors, A. J. Durand, L. Fred Person,'A. C. H.
Livingston ; inspectors of election, H. E. Pitkin, John Liberty and William R.
Kellogg; constables, David Seckington, Joseph Dukett, John Barton, jr., Er-
win L. Barker ; game constable, Abraham Mason.
Following are the supervisors from the formation of the town to the present
time, with the years of their service : — 1799 ^"^^ 1800, E. Newell ; 1801, Eli-
jah Bishop; 1802, Charles Goodrich; 1803 to 1805 inclusive, Hezekiah Bar-
ber; 1806 to 1808 inclusive, Alexander Morse; 1809 to 1811 inclusive,
Enos Loveland ; 1812-13, Azel Abel; 18 14, Enos Loveland; 1815 to 1817
inclusive, Asa Post; 1818, Ezra C. Gross; 1819 to 23 inclusive, Alexander
Morse; 1823-24, Ezra C. Gross; 1825-26, Alanson Mitchell; 1827-28,
Leander J. Lockwood ; 1829-30-31, Alanson Mitchell; 1832 to 1834 in-
clusive, Charles Noble; 1835 to 1838 inclusive, David Judd ; 1839, John
Lobdell; 1840-41, Henry R. Noble; 1842 to 1845 inclusive, Orlando Kel-
logg; 1846-47, Myron Durand; 1848, David Judd; 1849, Levi D. Brown;
1850-51, Jonathan Post ; 1852, O. Kellogg ; 1853, Byron Pond ; 1854, A. M.
Finney; 1855, William Simonds; 1856 to i860 inclusive, Oliver Abel, jr. ;
1861-62, William W. Root; 1863-64, Levi D. Brown; 1865-66, Matthew
Hale; 1867-68, Arod K. Dudley; 1869 to 1873 inclusive, Rowland C. Kel-
logg; 1874 to 1876 inclusive, Francis A. Smith; 1877 to 1882 inclusive,
Milo C. Perry; 1883, Walter S. Brown; 1884-85, Arod K. Dudley.
Town of Elizabethtown. 487
MUNICIPAL history.
Elizabethtown Village. — This village is beautifully situated in the northern
part of the town on the Boquet river at the confluence of the Little Boquet,
or " IBranch," as it has been termed. There are few spots to be found any-
where more pleasantly adapted by nature for the site of a rural village. The
road by which the lovely valley is reached from Westport winds between lofty
rugged peaks, which increase in natural wildness and grandeur as one travels
westward, until on surmounting an eminence the valley lies spread before us
in all its romantic beauty. It is almost surrounded by some of the grandest
peaks of the Adirondacks, which, in a clear air seem but a stone's throw dis-
tant. Among the prominent peaks that surround the valley and lend grand-
eur to the scene, are Hurricane Mountain, Cobble Mountain, the " Giant of the
Valley," Saddleback Mountain, Buck Mountain, and others. No wonder the
pioneers who first looked down on this beautiful spot named it " Pleasant
Valley," an appropriate title that still clings to it among the inhabitants. The
village is visited every summer by hundreds of pleasure and health seekers,
who find here ample and excellent accommodations, and all of the re-invigorat-
ing influences for which the entire region is famous. It lies on the direct road
from Westport to the noted Keene valley (see history of Keene), and hence
in summer takes on an aspect of life and activity far different from that which
pervades it when the region is locked in the grasp of winter.
This valley received about the first settlers who located in the town, to
whom allusion has already been made ; and from the date of its selection as
the county seat, it has been the most important and .thriving settlement.
The first house built on the site of the village is said to have been erected
by Azel Abel on the site of what was known as the Sherburne House ; but
the date of its erection is not definitely known. It was, doubtless, previous to
the beginning of the century. Early stores, etc. , have been sufficiently described.
A post-office was established here in the early years of the century. We have
been unable to trace the postmasters back farther than to Norman Nicholson,
who was succeeded by A. C. Hand, R. W. Livingston, and Orlando Kellogg.
Judge Hand took the office in 1831 and was postmaster a number of years;
and during Polk's administration Judge Byron Pond was appointed. After
him came W. W. Root until 1853, when Levi D. Brown served until the
appointment of Captain Samuel C. Dwyer. In 1861 Oliver Abel was ap-
pointed ; he was succeeded by T. C. Lamson, who was the incumbent four
years. The present postmaster, C. N. Williams, was appointed in 187 1.
There is considerable mercantile business done here. C. N. Williams
opened a general store in 1851 in a building in which he lived, near Mr. No-
ble's present store. He removed to the store formerly occupied by Ira Marks,
above the Valley House, where he remained until 1861, when he established
himself in what was called the " Root store," where Mr. Thompson is now
488 History of Essex County.
located. In the spring of 1869 he removed to his own building, where he is
still located, carrying a stock of drugs, liquors, etc.
A general store was kept by John C. Parish before 1 869 ; he was suc-
ceeded by James C. Thompson in 1881.
T. C. Lamson opened a store in 1856, in the building formerly occupied
by Ira Marks, where he continued until 1877 when he was succeeded by
Henry Jacobs, who now carries on general trade there.
B. A. Perry carries on mercantile business on " the Plains," where he has
been located since about 1873. Irish & Son recently opened a store for the
sale of boots and shoes, provisions, etc. Edward Trudeau sells stoves and
hardware, and also carries on a shoe shop. Charles A. Noble has carried on
his store since the death of his father.
William H. Palmer, John Barton, Thomas Kirby, and Allen Fuller do the
blacksmithing for the town.
We have mentioned the fact of the erection of the grist-mill on the site of
the old saw-mill of Amos Rice, on the Little Boquet. Loren Rice, son of
Amos, came into possession of this mill and sold it to the present owner, John
S. Walker, in 1882. The milling interest has never been large. C. N. Wil-
liams has a steam, saw, and planing-mill on the Boquet, and manufactures
chairs, broom handles, etc.
The hotels now kept in the village are known to many grateful guests
within a circle of hundreds of miles, who have here found homes and rest from
the labor and friction of the outside world. The old house that stood on the site
of the Mansion House hq,s been mentioned. The first structure that was in-
corporated into the present Mansion House was built in 18 10; it now forms
the summer house near the main building. The present hotel was built in
1873 by William Simonds, who is the present owner and said to be the oldest
landlord in Essex county. He was formerly for fifteen years in the Valley
House. The Mansion House accommodates from 150 to 175 guests and cov-
ers a space of 100 by 310 feet. It is pleasantly located on " the Plains," and
is well kept. The old Mansion House was kept at different periods by Fred.
King, Charles H. Brainard, and E. A. Adams, before Mr. Simonds took the
property.
One of the very first taverns in the town was near the site of the Valley
House. It was built of logs and was owned by Azel Abel, grandfather of Oli-
ver Abel. It stood with the end toward the river, about thirty-five feet from
it, and sixty feet below the bridge. Norman Newell kept it soon after 1817 ;
he was the father of Apollus A. Newell, who was associated with him for a time
and succeeded him. Ira Marks also kept the house which was burned in 1835.
Eliona Marks rebuilt it and it passed to David Judd and was again burned in
1858-59. Then a part of the present Valley House was erected by Mr. Judd.
He sold it to Judge Hale, and he to the present owner, H. H. Sherburne, with
William Simonds.
Town of Elizabethtown. 489
the provision that it should be removed to its present site for the improvement
of Mr. Hale's premises. In 1825 Asahel Root kept a house which is still stand-
ing opposite the late site of the Valley House. This was originally built by
Simeon Frisbie.
The Windsor Hotel was begun in 1876 and two years later the cottage
west of the original part, which had been raised a story, was added. In 1883 the
large wing on the northwest side was bflilt. This house will accommodate
from 17s to 200 guests. It is owned by Orlando Kellogg, who has conducted
it for a number of years.
The original part of the American House is said to have been built by Na-
hum Mitchell ; but we cannot trace it very definitely. A part was soon added
to it and Daniel Ross lived in one end and kept store in the other for many
years. In 1825 Alanson Mitchell occupied it as a dwelling and store; he was
succeeded by E. F. Williams, the property remaining in the Ross estate ; it
was sold to L. M. Smith, and finally transferred to R. L. Hand, who bid it in
on a mortgage sale. He sold it to the present proprietor, Levi BuUard, in
1867. Additions have been made at various times.
Masonic. — There is a Masonic lodge here, the narne of which is Adiron-
dack Lodge Number 602. It was chartered July 6th, .1866, with a member-
ship of fifteen. The first W. M. was De.Witt Stafford. The present W. M.
is Arod K. Dudley ; S. W., John Liberty ; J. W., William H. Palmer. The
present membership is seventy-seven, and the lodge is in a flourishing condi-
dition. For further details of this lodge, and the old Valley Lodge No. 314,
see chapter twenty-six.
Water Company. — The Water Company was organized in 1883, with
Richard L. Hand, Orlando Kellogg, J. S. Roberts, R. C. Kellogg, and A. C.
H. Livingston as commissioners. The works were built at a cost of $16,000.
The water is brought from springs two miles up the Little Boquet, where it
enters a four inch pipe and flows to a reservoir located about midway between
the springs and the village. There are sixteen hydrants distributed through
the village, which are a safeguard against fire. Since the works were finished
a hose company has been organized and equipped.
Incorporation. — In the fall of 1876, when there was a renewal of the oft-
repeated agitation over the removal of the county seat, a bill was passed in the
Legislature, one section of which provided that it should require a two-
thirds vote of the board of supervisors to remove a county seat from any
incorporated village. The general law provides that a village containing a
specified number of inhabitants may be incorporated. These facts led the
people of EHzabethtown to take steps towards incorporating their village, be-
lieving that the two-thirds vote of the supervisors could not be secured to re-
move the county seat. The boundaries of the village were accordingly so laid
out as to include the requisite population, and the incorporation was effected.
490 History of Essex County.
This accounts for the somewhat pecuHar shape of the village tract. Judge
Hale was made the first president of the village. He was succeeded by R. L.
Hand, and he by R. W. Livingston, the present official. George S. Nicholson
is clerk.
The Press. — The first newspaper published here, and the first one in the
county, was issued in i8io. by Luther Marsh. There is no means of learning
how long this paper was published. It was succeeded by the Essex Patriot
in 1817, which was continued to 1820, or later, by Oliver and Lewis Person.
It was then removed to Essex and called the Essex Republican ; after about
five years under the management of Lewis Person, it was taken by W. N.
Mitchell, in whose hands it suspended.
The Essex County Times was started in Elizabethtown by R. W. Living-
ston, who came here from Lewis in 1832 ; three months later he sold out to
Cyrenus S. Newcomb, who continued the publication about fifteen months and
failed. This paper was printed on a machine that will be recognized by all
journalists as an old Ramage press. In 185 i Mr. Livingston bought the press
and material of a paper that had been issued in Westport and started the
Elizabethtown Post. The Westport paper was the outgrowth of an establish-
ment started at Elizabethtown in 1849 by D. Turner, who soon removed to
Keeseville, thence to Champlain and then to Westport. (See history of that
village.) Mr. Livingston continued the Post until February, 1858. Two years
later Mr. Turner came here and revived the Post, which he sold to A. C. H.
Livingston in i860. He continued its publication until 1871, when he sold
out to John Liberty. He sold to A. M. Lewis, and in January, 1879, A. C.
H. Livingston bought it back and has continued the paper since, adding to its
name Gazette, as Lewis had purchased the Port Henry paper of that name
and incorporated it in his establishment. The Post and Gazette is a bright
country paper of Democratic proclivities and is well patronized and respected
by the community.
Schools. — The schools of Elizabethtown are in a most prosperous condi-
tion. The district school of the village was taught in the winters of 1832, '33
and '34 by Orlando Kellogg. R. W. Livingston taught in the winter of 1 834-3 5 :
The regular attendance at that time was about fifty pupils. Judge Pond, Oli-
ver Abel, C. N. Williams and other now prominent citizens were among Mr.
Livingston's pupils. We need not attempt to trace the growth and changes
in the schools to their present condition. The Union school in this district
(which has always been District No. i) was estabhshed in. 1865, when, on the
8th of September, a meeting was held to consider the erection of a new school
structure and changing of the site. The former school-house was the old brick
building just back of Mr. Williams's store. At this meeting it was resolved to
change the site to its present location on the hill. On the 2d of October, 1865,
an election was held in the district upon the question of establishing a Union
Town of Elizabethtown. 491
Free School. Of the fifty-six voters, forty-two were present; thirty-eight of
these voted in favor of the change. The lot upon which it was resolved to
erect the new building belonged to Judge A. C. Hand ; this was purchased
and the commodious two-story building put up ; its entire cost in the present
form was $4,500.
The principal projectors of the change and the establishment of the Union
Free School were N. Morse, George S. Nicholson, Matthew and R. S. Hale,
Byron Pond, A. C. Hand, C. N. Williams, F. A. Smith, Levi D. Brown, A.
K. Dudley, H. A. Putnam, Abijah Perry, David Judd, and others.
The first board of education comprised Byron Pond, who was its president ;
George S. Nicholson, clerk ; Safford E. Hale, David Judd, H. A. Putnam,
Richard Hand. The first principal was Professor Harry Scott, Professor Will-
iam C. Murphy the second (1868), and James H. Robinson third. The pres-
ent principal is Professor W. C. Coats. The present board of education is
constituted of R. L. Hand, president ; George S. Nicholson, clerk ; R. C.
Kellogg, F. A. Brown, Edgar M. Marvin, H. A. Putnam. Three teachers are
employed. The average expenditures (raised by tax) are about $1,600 an-
nually. Average attendance, residents, about eighty-eight ; foreign students,
eight to ten.
Chtirches. — The first church organized in this town was the Baptist, which
dates back to 1797 ; and it is said that the first clerk of the society either could
not or would not sign his name to the records. The first pastor was Elder
Reynolds. The records mention Elders Brown, Babcock, and Chamberlain,
whose name precedes that of Elder Hascall, who was here in 1 809 ; Churchill,
1818 ; John Stearns, 1824. In 1828 the Free Mason agitation arose, and the
old church was broken up in 1830. The new one was formed in 1834. In
the next year Rev. Mr. Brant was the pastor. The church edifice was built
in 1838. In 1839 sixty-eight baptisms were recorded, with nineteen other ad-
ditions, and the number of members was two hundred and six. The church
was subsequently served by Elders Gale, Garfield, Seaver, Dickens, McCollum,
Daniel Hascall, Samuel. Churchill, J. H. Walden, Calvin Fisher, S. Ewer, Ehas
Hurlbut, Lorenzo Kellogg, M. N. Stearns, G. B. Bills, R. A. Hodge, S. Jones,
L. S. Smith, E. Jewett, H. Steelman, George S. Pratt, S. W. Nichols, Wayne
Brewster, George F. Nichols, J. F. Genung. The last pastor of the church
was P. S. McKillup, who left in the fall of 1884. The present church officers
are Norman Person, clerk ; Herry Glidden, Wallace W. Fierce, deacons. The
membership is about fifty-five. Elfred Person is superintendent of the Sab-
bath-school, which has thirty-five members. The church cost about $2,500.
Congregational Church. — This church was organized in 1821, by Rev.
Cyrus Comstock, with thirty-two members, most of whom came from the
church in Lewis. Norman Nicholson was the first clerk of this church. The
first deacons were Timothy Brainard, who died in 1824, and Joseph Blake, who
492 History of Essex County.
died in 1 860. The first regular pastor was Rev. V. D. Taylor, who was here
from 1826 to 1829; he was succeeded as follows : 1830-31, Rev. Moses Ingalls ;
1833-34. Rev. O. Miner; 1841-45, Rev. C. C. Stevens; 1845-46, Rev. Mr.
Parker; 1846-47, Rev. J. Headley ; in March of this year the society was re-
organized as the "First Congregational Church o Elizabethtown," which has
since been ministered to as follows: 1847-48, Rev. S. Hine ; 1850-52, Rev. J.
Bradshaw; 1855-56, Rev. Cyrus Hudson ; 1858-60, Rev. Charles Redfield ;
January, 1861, to November, 1861, Rev. S. S. Howe; 1864 to 1881, Rev. G.
W. Barrows; 1883-84, Rev. Q. J. ColHn.
There is no pastor over the church at the present time, but steps are in
progress to secure one. The present church officers are : —
Helpers — A. F. Woodruff, Walter S. Brown, Julia Smith and Elizabeth
Judd ; clerk, George S. Nicholson ; treasurer, A. McD. Finney ; Sunday-
school superintendent, Richard L. Hand. The attendance at Sunday-school
averages about thirty, and the church membership is forty-six.
Methodist Church. — The Methodist Episcopal Church of Elizabethtown
was organized in 1832, with a small membership, among whom were S. W.
Osgood, Alva Allen, John Lewis, Ann Osgood, Henry Lewis and Edward
Marvin. The first pastor was Rev. Peter H. Smith. Since then there have
been stationed over the church Revs. Sayers, Mills, Pomeroy, Seymour, Cole-
man, Lyon, Cope, Patison, Liscomb, Hale, Garvin, Atwell, Fenton, Kerr, and
the present pastor. Rev. Charles L. Hagar. Previous to the erection of the
church edifice, meetings were held several years in the village school-house
and later in the court-house. The church was erected in 1853, at a cost of
$4,000, and improvements have since been added at a cost of $500. A Sun-
day-school was organized in 1840, over which have presided as superintendents,
Messrs. Ames, Calkin, Rowe, Calkin, Lewis, Robertson, Parish and George
Irish.
The first church trustees were Messrs. S. W. Osgood, Adams, Blood, Clark
and Ames. The present trustees are E. M. Marvin, Mrs. Ann Osgood, George
Irish, John Lewis and A Keith.
A great revival followed the dedication of the church under the labors of
• Rev. G. W. Wells, when about seventy were received into membership. Other
important revivals occurred under labors of Rev. David Ayers and Rev. George
Kerr. The present membership is one hundred.
Episcopal Church. — This society has been organized only two years, and
services are maintained in the summer season only ; the attendance is largely
from the summer visitors in the place. A neat chapel stands on the corner of
Hand avenue and High street.
Catholic Church. — This church was organized in 1882 and the church was
erected in the same "year. The first pastor was Rev. Father Reddington.
The church stands near the village limits on Court street. Rev. Father Halla-
han is at present serving the church.
Town of Chesterfield. 493
New Russia. — This is a small settlement — much smaller than it was
twenty-five years ago — situated about four miles south of Elizabethtown, on
the Boquet. Many of the very early settlements of the town were made in
this vicinity, and the iron interest in later years contributed to build up a ham-
let that had about a hundred inhabitants. The post-office here was estab-
lished about the close of the last war ; Stephen B. Pitkin has been postmaster
for many years. Thpre is very little mercantile business transacted here. H.
A. Putnam has conducted a store for a number of years. A forge, a saw-mill
and a pyroligneous acid works are located here, but are operated only a part
of the year, when there is sufficient water power. Six miles farther up the
stream, at what is known as Euba Mills, Mr. Putnam has a saw-mill, planing-
mill and wood-working factory. There was a post-office here for a few years,
about 1870, and a settlement of perhaps a dozen families in the immediate
neighborhood.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTERFIELD.
CHESTERFIELD was formed from Willsborough on the 20th of February,
1802, and occupies the extreme northeastern part of the county. Lake
Champlain forming its entire eastern boundary. The surface is mountainous
in character, what are known as the Jay mountains, a continuation of the
Adirondacks, extending in a northerly direction through the western portion.
This range forms an almost impassable barrier between Chesterfield and Jay —
a lofty, rocky range, with scarcely a pass to break its continuity. The main
range of the Adirondacks extends through the center of the town from the
southwest to the northeast corner, where it terminates in a high, rocky bluff
called Trembleau Point, which lifts its brown head to a height of nearly 1,500
feet above the surface of the lake. Two principal peaks of the range are'Poke-
o-Moonshine, and what has been called Bosworth's Mountain, each of which
towers about 3,000 feet above tide. Poke-o-Moonshine, notwithstanding its
trivial name,i is one of the most majestic of the mountain peaks ; from its base,
surrounded with huge boulders, up its rugged sides, which present the appear-
ance of rocks hurled togeteher at random and clinging to the acclivities with an
uncertain tenure, clad in spots with trees and slight verdure to its very top, it
presents an aspect of impressive grandeur. Tradition is silent concerning the
lArtemas White, Keeseville, says the correct name of the peak is " Rangham mountain," from an
Englishman who was once " snowed in " there for about two weeks.
494 History of Essex County.
origin of its quaint name ; even the oldest inhabitants give no reason why the
stately eminence should be afflicted with a title which might well find a place
in a nursery primer.
The southwestern part of the town is hilly, and the northeastern a rolling
table land with soil not especially productive. Excepting Moriah, the town
has less alluvial surface than any other in the county, less than one-half of it
being susceptible of cultivation.
In water surface and power it is richly endowed, several small but beautiful
lakes dotting its surface, among which the two Auger ponds and Butternut
pond are most prominent, and afford scenery of rare loveliness. Trout brook
is in the southern part, flowing southward across the boundary line into the
town of Lewis, to eventually find its way to the Boquet in the town of Wil
borough. The Auger pond outlet flows northward and empties into the Ausa-
ble at the chasm. The northern boundary is formed by the Ausable river, a
remarkable stream as regards its fall and the scenery along its course. Its nu-
merous small affluents flow from mountain sources and afford extensive water
power, and nature has seldom exhibited a more wonderful channel than the
one through which pours the waters of this river. In the vicinity of Keeseville
it flows between rocky walls about fifty feet in height, their faces bearing almost
the appearance of masonry ; it then rushes over its stony bed to Birmingham,
making one beautiful fall on its way, and here abruptly plunges into a gloomy
chasm of sixty feet in depth, sending up clouds of spray that are spanned by
rainbows in the summer sunlight, or deck the surrounding foliage with the most
elaborate frost-work in winter. For nearly a mile beyond this point the stream
is engulfed in one of the most remarkable chasms in the country. Its current
here flows smoothly and swiftly along its natural canal and there plunges
madly over precipitous rocks, at the foot of a channel that is rarely over thirty
feet in width and ranging from seventy-five to 150 feet in depth. Lateral fis-
ures, deep and narrow, extenfl from the main ravine at nearly right angles ;
through one of these natural passages the chasm is reached by stairs, the steps
of which every season echo the tread of hundreds of visitors.
In minerals the town is rich ; iron, graphite, and a peculiar marble of a
pale brown hue are among its productions. Its iron deposits have been worked
to some extent ; but the ore is not found in such quantity and quality as war-
rant its extensive mining. Of the quarries in this town located near Keese-
ville, Mr. Watson speaks as follows : " The Potsdam sandstone is largely quar-
ried in the vicinity of Keeseville, and is exported to a considerable amount.
Lying in a perfect lamination, it may be excavated in large slabs or blocks,
those sixty feet square are easily obtained. The strata are so clearly defined
and separated, that the only power requisite in raising the stone, is the wedge
and lever. S. E. Keeler, the occupant of one of the most extensive deposits,
informs me that in the experience of many years, he has never had occasion
Town of Chesterfield. 495
to use a blast in excavations on his quarry. The stone presents on the hori-
zontal side a smooth and plane surface. It has usually a yellow-gray coloring,
and is found admirably adapted to flagging and building purposes. . . .
When first raised it is slightly soft, not friable, but after exposure to the atmos-
phere becomes exceedingly hard. Edifices are now standing which furnish
proof of the firmness and durability of this stone, after an exposure of more
than half a century, to storms and the action of the elements. The material
which forms these buildings does not exhibit the most remote appearance of
decay or disintegration."
Several veins of kaolin have been found on the lake shore beneath the hy-
persthene, and there is also a large deposit near Auger pond.
Schuyler Island in Lake Champlain, is a part of this town ; it is near the
lake shore opposite Douglass Bay. It received its name, according to tradi-
tion, from the fact that General John Schuyler made it the camping ground of
his force in 1690, while on his expedition against Canada. The island was
known to the French as Isle Chapon.
Early Settlements. — Alvin Colvin is one of the oldest inhabitants of the
town and now lives at Port Kent. He has furnished much information and
reminiscences of the early settlements ; and the same may be said of Artemas
White, of Keeseville. Mr. Colvin gives Mathew Adgate as the first settler ; he
came from near Albany in 1792. He had six children, Asher, Asa, Martin,
Luther, Eunice and Hannah. He secured a large patent for lands in the vi-
cinity of Birmingham falls, which were formerly called Adgate's falls. His
house stood on the west side of the Ausable and was the only one in that sec-
tion in 1805 ; it was about two miles from the falls. A saw-mill, grist-mill,
and later a rolling-mill were built by him. This property passed into posses-
sion of his son Asa. Theodore, son of the latter, subsequently (1823) placed
two forge fires in the rolling-mill, but after a trial of about a year the project
was abandoned as unprofitable and the works were rented to John Johnson,
who operated them for about two years. Asa Adgate erected the frame of a
dwelling on the Keeseville road, but did not complete it; it stood near "Ad-
gate's Corners " and is now known as the Widow Ball's place. Martin Adgate
settled on. the road from Port Kent to Keeseville, where he now lives.
The early history of most localities is interwoven with a network of ro-
mance, and Chesterfield is no exception to this rule. The history of Aaron
Ward, true though it is, partakes of this character. He was a native of Schuy-
lerville, Saratoga county. In 1796 he, with his young wife, traveled towards
the Adirondacks with the laudable purpose of making a home in the wilder-
ness. He launched his canoe on the waters of Champlain at the site of White-
hall and paddled along the western shore of the lake until he reached the lo-
cality now called Brown's bay, a little south of Port Douglass, where he left
their stores in a secluded place and started on a prospecting tour. In their
496 History of Essex County.
wanderings they reached Prospect hill (formerly called " Tory " hill), from
which they discovered Auger pond. This was to the young couple the ideal
place for a home, and after careful surveying in that region, they decided to
lay their hearthstone near a little inlet at the head of the pond where a pure
spring of water and a gentle rise of ground afforded abundant promise of a
pleasant location. After much labor a rude shanty was erected, and by toil-
some journeys they brought their scanty stores from the lake shore and began
their rude " housekeeping." In 1798 a son was born them, who was undoubt-
edly one of the first white children born in the town, if not the very first.l
Straggling Indians from the St. Francis and St. Regis tribes were located on
the outlet of the pond about two miles south of the site of Keeseville. These
Indians annoyed Ward by stealing the game from his traps, and he had care-
fully refrained from any action which would be apt to arouse a more active
hostility on their part ; but one morning as he went out to visit his traps, he
discovered an Indian robbing it of the game. Forbearance had ceased to be a
virtue with Ward, and, in the heat of his anger, he shot the Indian. Knowing
the characteristics of the savages, he was aware that as soon as this fact was
discovered, his family and home would be wrecked. He, therefore, gathered
his few household idols together and abandoned his home, the result of his
five years' life in the wilderness. From there the exiles proceeded to Schuy-
lersville, where there was a small settlement, and afterward removed to New
Bedford, Mass. For many years the spot where the Indian was killed was
known as Ward's rock.
In 1882 Archibald Ward, son of Adam, was living in New Bedford with
his son David, who is a dentist there.
In 1802 Robert Hoyle, an Englishman, settled at what is now Keeseville.
He built the first bridge at that point, and opened the first store. Before the
name of Keeseville it was known as " Long Chute." Associated with J. W.
Anderson, Hoyle bought up the possessions of Captain Jonathan Bigelow, who
lived on the State road south of the present village. Hoyle afterward sold out
his interest to Richard and Oliver Keese in 181 2, and the next year Keese and
Anderson erected iron works and a woolen factory on the site of the village.
From the Messrs. Keese the village took its present name, though it was pre-
viously called Anderson's Falls.
What was known as the " dry mill " was a grist-mill located in Clinton
county on a brook which found its source on " Hallock Hill." The State road
came out near this mill. The mill was built about the time Adgate's mill was
erected, in the last years of the preceding century. This mill seems to have
quite a prominent place in the early history of the town, and a description of
its wheel, furnished by Mr. Colvin, will be interesting : " It had a large over-
1 French'' s Gazetteer says Thomas Rangham was the first white child born in the town. The firs t
death was that of Abel Handy. Mr. White slates that Thos. Rangham was born in England and
came with his father while an infant.
Town of Chesterfield. 497
shot wheel which was placed outside the mill on the end of the main shaft,
and the water was carried across the road about ten or twelve rods in a flume,
and so down to the mill. It ceased running about 1839 or 1840."! Above
the mill were two saw-mills 9n the same stream ; one built by Mr. Keese, at
the head of the brook ; the other by James Ricketson, which was managed by
Mr. Cole in 1803.
George Schaffer, a German, moved into the town about 1794, when the
road from his home to Peru was only marked by " blazed " trees. He
lived near Auger pond in 1836, and died in Ausable at the age of ninety-five
years, about the year 1859. He was said to have been the originator of the
idea of a saw-mill just above the lower bridge, which was built about 1806.
He was employed by Captain Jonathan Bigelow.
Joseph Coville was also one of the first settlers and built one of the very
early log cabins near the site of the present foundry in Keeseville. He was a
dissipated man. During the latter days of his life he lived near Auger Pond.
Jonathan Colvin moved from Clarendon, Vt, in 1802, with his family, con-
sisting of his wife and three children ; Alvin, the eldest being the only one
now living. Mrs. Jonathan Colvin's maiden name was Freelove Bailey. They
moved into the town with an ox team and settled near Adgate's Falls (Bir-
mingham). In 1844 Alvin Colvin moved to Port Kent. He was married
in April, 1 821, to Jeannette Higgins, of Essex, and both now live at Port Kent,
after sixty-four years of married life.
Alonzo Wright was one of the pioneers and came into the town about
1800. He located a mile and a half east of the present Keeseville. Of his
large family none now remain in the town.
Jeremiah Hayes settled about the same time near the " Fordway." He
lived a short time at Port Kent, and after the War of 18 12 he Ijuilt a distillery
in Clinton county and manufactured whisky.
The second house built in the vicinity of the Adgates was, according to Mr.
Colvin, occupied by a man named Edmunds, who worked in a building which
then stood on the site now occupied by Appleyard's mill. This man " dressed
cloth after shearing it, by hand." A fulling-mill and press were put up sub-
sequently in this building.
Horace Beach built a house and blacksmith shop on the west side of the
river about 1806, and James Lamson put up a log house near the present
Appleyard store, Birmingham Falls.
About the year 1807 three brothers, Josiah, William, and Lynde Willard,
settled on the upper side of the road running up the hill north of Appleyard's
store, and kept a store there for three years. They also rented the saw-mill
and marketed their lumber in Quebec. The lumber was drawn to the" Basin "
below the chasm whence it was rafted down the lake. When the Willards gave
1 Mr. White thinks the mill was not operated more than a few years.
32
498 History of Essex County.
up this mill it was rented by John Purmort, of Jay, who moved into the log
house there and followed the lumber business a few years.
At this time James Pilling set up two carding- machines in the attic of the
grist-mill here, and operated them three years. Then he bought a lot near
where Appleyard's mill now stands and after erecting suitable buildings, he
manufactured all kinds of woolen cloths.
Asahel Rowe, a wheelwright, also began his business here at an early day.
His two brothers, James and Ralph, joined him, but after two years James and
Asahel left the town and Ralph continued the business. Their shop was on
the site occupied by Mr. Carter in 1878.
A saw-mill was about this time built on Howard brook, by Erastus Strong,
who did not make a success of the business and soon left the vicinity. It
stood near the Higby place.
James Southard settled near the site of Appleyard's mill and, Mr. Colvin
says, put up a dwelling and shop, a saw-mill and rolling-mill, and drew the
first water from the west end of the dam. The saw-mill he subsequently re-
moved to Essex and set it up on the Boquet, after which it passed to the pos-
session of W. D. Ross. James Pilling (before mentioned) and Benjamin Ketch-
um located near Mr. Southard early in the century. Mr. Ketchum opened a
store here in 18 10 and several years later removed to Peru.
Near the year 1825 Pilling & Moore purchased the water privilege at the
west end of the dam and rebuilt the saw-mill and forge. They continued the
business of manufacturing iron for several years. About this time Beach & Tay-
lor purchased the east side water-power and cut lumber for the southern mar-
ket, the canal having then been opened. They also built a wooden house and
one of stone near the mill. In 1830 a freshet, for which disasters this river is
famous, damaged the mills, except the one belonging to Mr. Pilling, by car-
rying away much of their internal works.
Captain Isaac Wright, who succeeded Captain Jackson in command of the
local militia of early days, built a saw-mill on Auger pond brook in 1806,
where he sawed lumber for the Quebec market. He married Sarah Douglass.
George Fowler was another pioneer who settled at Auger pond, buying the
mill there of Judge Blanchard, of Salem, Washington county.
John and Benjamin Macomber came to the town before 18 10 and located
on the road that crossed the river a little southeast of Keeseville. John Ma-
comber, now Hving at -the village, is a descendant. Joshua Manchester was,
according to Artemas White, a neighbor of the Macombers. Samuel Pine, a
bound apprentice who accompanied Mr. Manchester hither, became a captain
of the militia in 1812. He died a few years ago, leaving two sons, one of
whom lives in Keeseville and the other is proprietor of the Auger Lake House.
Robert Elliott (a colored man) settled in the town at an early day, locating
about two miles south of the falls before the site of Keeseville was occupied to
Town of Chesterfield. 499
much extent. He was accompanied by a boy who served as a drummer at
Plattsburg and previously in the Revolution.
About the same time Stephen Powers settled at Butternut pond. His son
Alanson lives in Burlington and Stephen died in Keeseville. The elder
Powers was about the first constable in the town.
In the vicinity of Port Douglass Simeon Norton and " Esquire " Barker,
the latter one of the first justices of the peace, settled about the beginning of
the present century.
John Page located a little south of Port Douglass. He has a grandson
living near there now.
Samuel Whitney, who came into the town early in the century, settled on
the road from Port Douglass to Keeseville, about a mile from the former place.
He had two sons, Luther and Norman, who now live in Keeseville ; there were
other sons of Mr. Whitney. Marcus Barnes also located in the vicinity of Port
Douglass, a little to the south. Next to him was Warren Strong ; OHver Baker
also located in that neighborhood, all coming in by about the year 18 10.
Among other pioneers who came in before the end of the first decade of
the century were Thomas Worden, who built a house and a store on the farm
afterward owned by Jehial Fletcher the latter ran a potash manufactory. Elihu
Briggs, who probably came in before the beginning of the century and located
about two and a half miles south of Keeseville. Benjamin Beach, who was
one of the very early justices, and Richard Buckmeister, who settled in 18 13,
near Griswold Mountain.
By the year 18 10 there were some sixty families in the town. Wild game
was plenty ; bears were frequent visitors to the corn fields and often ruined a
crop in a single night. Wolves were seen and occasionally a moose, while
deer were exceedingly numerous. Mr. Colvin states that he can recall but
one moose being killed ;' the animar was shot near Peru landing in a field
belonging to John Elmore. These pioneers passed through the same experi-
ence that came to those of other towns ; excessive toil in the clearing of lands ;
hard work in winter in the lumber business ; primitive farming operations
among the stumps ; lack of all luxuries and many of the mere comforts of Hfe,
and general lack of social enjoyments. But their lives were lightened by many
pleasures that the modern citizen can scarcely appreciate. Every public oc-
currence — town meetings, auctions, neighborhood raisings, logging bees, and
the like became scenes of hearty enjoyment. The log- houses continued to
multiply, and also the families within their walls ; the clearings increased in
size and the town progressed with encouraging success. Saw- mills multiplied
on the excellent water power and as the lumber market was extended by the
opening of the Champlain canal, the business was vigorously engaged in by a
large majority of the inhabitants. Streams that are now but mere rivulets
would then turn a wheel — a change that is much to be deplored, but is still
500 History of Essex County.
going on in all* parts of the country. Mr. Colvin states that there is far less
volume of water flowing through the Ausable channel than in his boyhood.
Then " the high waters did not come till June ; now it comes down with a rush
and is all in the lake in a few hours."
The early methods of getting logs into the river at one point is thus de-
scribed by Mr. Colvin ; " The log slide near the lower end of the chasm was
built by Martin Adgate, father of Deacon Daniel Adgate. This slide was about
thirty rods above the ' Basin ' and was on the northwest side of the river. It
was about twenty rods long and was a kind of trough made of logs chained to
the trees. It stood at a very steep angle and one end of the timbers to be slid
down was hauled to the upper end of the slide and then the chain was hitched
to the rear and the oxen pulling alongside the timber and nearly parallel to it,
would throw the stick over and pitch it down the slide. These timbers were
most of them for ship building and frequently seventy or eighty feet long.
They were hauled near the brink in the winter and slid down in the spring
during high water, and floated to the lake, then rafted to Quebec. The lower
end of this slide was about twenty feet from the water, which was so deep that
these long timbers would plunge nearly or quite out of sight. This work was
discontinued about 1825-30." Mr. Colvin continues as follows of a thrilling
incident that once occurred in the chasm : " Right where the wheel-house of
the Ausable Horse Nail Company now stands there was once a projecting
rock, and about seventy years ago several boys were carrying stones out upon
a large, loose piece of rock lying near the edge, in order to make the piece
over-balance and fall down the cliff". One of the boys named Hall was a little
too venturesome and as he carried out a load of stones, toppled it over and
went down with the rock to the bottom of the chasm, a distance of about one
hundred and ten feet. But somehow he miraculously escaped almost unhurt
and soon came climbing up the rocks again."
The first bridge across the chasm is a subject around which centers a good
deal of historic interest and several legends. The question of the date of its
construction is in dispute and has called out much discussion. In a series of
historical sketches published in the Plattsburg Republican in 1878-79,
appeared a letter over the signature of Nathaniel Piatt, and dated " Platts-
burg, 29th October, 1793," in which was the following statement: "This day
we compleat the Bridg here ready to Raise, to-morrow we proceed to Great
Sable on where we expect to compleat a brid in a few days."
The bridge was built by the State, as a part of the old State road which
• crossed the Ausable, coming by way of Schroon, Elizabethtown, Poke-o-
Moonshine and on to Plattsburg. The preliminary operation in building the
bridge, according to Mr. Colvin and other authorities, was to fall a tree so its
trunk would cross the chasm ; but the builders found themselves in something
of a dilemma. On the Chesterfield side was a yoke of oxen, needed to get
Town of Chesterfield. 501
the timbers to the site of the bridge ; but the yoke itself was on the other
side. The problem was how to get the two together so as to make them use-
ful. At this critical juncture Captain Samuel Jackson, one of the first militia
captains, shouldered the yoke and safely carried it across, walking on the fallen
tree. This feat may not seem a trifling one ; but if the reader could stand on
an ordinary-sized tree-trunk, at that dizzy distance above a rushing flood, and
imagine himself walking across it with an ox- yoke on his shoulder, its impor-
tance would be magnified in his mind.
As to who it was that carried the ox-yoke over the chasm there is some
difference in statement. A writer over the signature " Three- Score," in the
Plattsburg Republican, claimed that John Keese, jr., performed the feat,
while Alvin Colvin and Mr. Adgate attest the correctness of the first
statement.
There were six stringers of Norway pine placed under the bridge, each
about twenty inches in diameter. Upon them was laid a roadway twelve feet
wide, of plank brought from Jay and Keene. Heavy timber at the sides suf-
ficed for protection against running off" the planks.
This bridge was used until about 1812, when the course of the State road
was changed to about two miles above the site of Keeseville. As late as in
1824 one of the stringers of the old bridge remained in its place.
Another remarkable incident in connection with the bridge may be worth
«
preservation : One night in later years, after the bridge had fallen into disuse
and nothing was left of it but one stringer, a traveler came that way. It was
very dark and he was entirely unaware of the removal of the bridge platform.
As his horse neared the chasm the animal instinctively halted and would proceed
only after persistent urging. The horse and rider finally passed the chasm
and reached their destination. On the following morning the man learned
that the bridge was gone and could not make the by-standers believe that he
had crossed at that point. To satisfy them that he did so, they repaired to
the locality, where the prints of the horse-shoes were plainly visible on the
stringer. While this legend may be true, it is extremely improbable and is
not very well sustained. Since that period a substantial frame bridge has
been built across the chasm, with a double roadway and side railings. A still
earlier bridge than this one was built at the fordway about two miles above the
site of Keeseville.
Roads were laid out. and opened through the town early in the century ;
but they were anything but comfortable highways to travel for many years.
At the time of the formation of the county (1799) there w.as no road extend-
ing north above Willsborough ; but a line of blazed trees extended over the
mountain to the Ausable at the high bridge, which was the incipient " State
road " mentioned. This roadway, if it may be called such, extended on to
Plattsburg.
502 History of Essex County.
In 1 8 12 a turnpike road was built by John Lynde and Thomas Emmons
over the Willsborough mountains, beginning at the south side near Wills-
borough Falls ; thence to Bosworth's tavern, the early business center of
Chesterfield ; from there to the river about three miles above the site of
Keeseville ; thence it ran to Peru and on to Plattsburg.
About three miles above the site of Keeseville a road began and branched
off to the Quaker Settlement, as it was called ; continuing westward it crossed
the Ausable at the fordway, beyond which point it was known as the ford-
way road.
The highway from Port Kent westward was constructed in 1813.
From Mr. White's recollections of 1824 there were then roads extending
from Keeseville to Port Kent, as above noted, another to Elizabethtown and
to Willsborough ; another was laid out to the interior of the to^n now known
as Chesterfield street ; there was a cross-road from the Port Kent and Keese-
ville highway to Port Douglass. Between 1840 and 1 850 this town had the
regular plankroad fever, resulting in the organization of companies and the
building of roads from Port Kent to Keeseville, on the line of the original
highway, and another to Port Douglass. These have all been abandoned as
plankroads.
Salmon fishing in this town was followed with great success previous to
tjie year 1826. The fish were very numerous and the sport of taking them
was greatly enjoyed. They often reached a weight of sixteen pounds, and
began running up the lake in May ; in June they would appear in the Saranac
and the next month in the Ausable. The gamy fish ascended this stream to
Birmingham falls, which cascade they would make persistent efforts to jump ;
but they could not rise more than about six feet and, of course, never went
above the falls.
Mr. Colvin says : " I generally went fishing twice a week, and many is the
time that I have climbed up the precipice, where the stairs now are, with fifty
or sixty pounds of salmon on my back."
The Legendary Lead Mine — The history of this town would be scarcely
complete without some reference to .the subject of the discovery of lead ore
within its limits ; a subject that has been the source of almost endless con-
jecture, discussion and much research from almost the first settlement of the
town down to recent years. The subject was quite fully treated in a series of
articles published in the Essex County Republican in 1883, to which we owe a
large share of our information. In order to begin at the date when this sup-
posed valuable deposit was first mentioned, it will be necessary to recall the
time when, according to the writer mentioned, " the site of the beautiful vil-
lage of Keeseville was crowned by a forest that shut out the sunlight, and the
walled banks of the Ausable were visited by no tourist unless in the form of
the dusky warrior from his Indian village near Auger Lake."
Town of Chesterfield. 503
Near the date of the close of the Revolution, William Shaplay, one of the
survivors of the Schuyler expedition, who had become familiar with the
environs of Lake Champlain, left his home on the Hudson and with his
mother settled at the place once known as the " abandoned Burton agency at
Flat Rock bay." (See William Gilliland's journal in a -preceding chapter.)
This location was owned in 1882-83 by Edward Smith and David Jones, of
Willsborough, and called " Landon Farm." Shaplay put his canoe on Cor-
lear's (Perue) bay and made frequent excursions along the coast and thence
into the forests for game. Deer were abundant and gathered numerously at
the little sand beach at the south end of what is now the end of the tunnel at
the railroad cut. The main path of the deer extended from this beach to How-
ard's brook, near the present {1883) home of A. D. Forbes at the highlands, from
which point the paths led in all directions into the wilderness. Shaplay, not
wishing to ruin future sport by killing deer at that spot, went farther to where
a brook flowing from Rattlesnake Hollow emptied into the lake, at the south
end of the Red Rocks, some fifty rods from the sand beach. From there he
would enter some one of the ravines in pursuit of his game.
During one of these excursions he noticed that the flint he. carried was
becoming coated with metal from contact with his rifle, and picked up a light-
colored stone lying near with which to abrade the edge of the flint. In this
attempt the outer coating of the stone was chipped ofi", revealing a bright sur-
face. This excited his curiosity and he picked up a number of the pieces of
stone, put them in his knapsack and pursued his sport. Returning in the
evening, he melted the pieces and found them almost pure lead, from which
he cast a number of bullets. In reference to the matter he said : " After melt-
ing the ore I remelted it, ran it into musket balls and used them to shoot deer."
The next day he returned, as he supposed, to the same spot, but found no
indications of similar " stones." He was much disappointed and continued his
search at intervals for several years, but without success. During this period
he opened a correspondence with his half-brother, Joseph Moore, then living
in Grandville, Mass. The latter moved to Chesterfield and purchased nine
hundred acres of land north and west of Shaplay's possessions. This property,
like many of the early estates, had not a clear title for Moore, and was taken
from him by Messrs. Coats and Edison, under an English patent. Shaplay
had imparted his secret to Moore, and they, with Moore's two sons, Joseph,
jr., and Norman, continued the search, but without avail. Shaplay subse-
quently removed west, but imparted what knowledge he possessed of the lead
deposit to residents of the vicinity.
Some years later Caleb Smith, an old settler on Willsborough Point, was
deer hunting in this locality and descended into a hollow to find water. As
he brushed away leaves in his search he found some stones that awakened his
curiosity by their extraordinary weight. He struck them together and was
S04 History of Essex County.
convinced from the sound that they were largely composed of lead. Fearful
that some one might discover him and thus interfere with the right to his dis-
covery (providing it might prove valuable), he hastily covered the place with
leaves and left the spot, intending to return in a short time. Reaching a rise
of ground near at hand he made a mental chart of the locality and then de-
parted. Later on he returned with his son-in-law, Dr. Asa Fisher, formerly
in the United States service under Decatur, and made a diligent but unsuc-
cessful search for many days. Then they took some friends into their confi-
dence (Jacob and Samuel Adsit it was supposed), and the unavailing search
was continued. Finally the information became spread among other settlers
and the search was prosecuted by numerous different persons and parties. But
failure was inscribed on all their banners. Many years later the sons of Mr.
Smith, James, William and Roback, made persistent search for the lost lead
deposit, but found nothing to indicate that such ever existed. The strong
argument that prevailed to locate the scene of the alleged discoveries at a
point up from the sand beach near the Red Rock was that both Shaplay and
Smith had described the same locality, apparently.
At that time the inhabitants were unaware of the existence of an old French
map made by their engineers about 1 731, when they came up the lake to build
the fort at Crown Point, on which map was delineated the shores of the lake,
with "lead ore bed" laid down on the shore of Peru or Willsborough bay.
If this endorsement was made when the map was executed, it would be strong
proof that the French either knew of such a deposit of lead, or had heard cur-
rent rumors of its existence. Among the Hurons and Algonquin Indians there
was a tradition that lead had been found on the shore of this bay. Descend-
ants of the whites who were taken prisoners during the war with the French
remember that their ancestors related that, as the Indians were on their way
to Canada down the lake, they landed on a sandy beach where there were
many steep rocks, and the Indians, leaving their prisoners, went into the forest
and returned with a supply of lead. Leander Dunham, of EUenburgh Depot,
Clinton county, wrote in 1883 as follows: —
" I see that the Trembleau Mountain lead mine has come to life again. I
was a sailor on Lake Champlain in 1826. We were returning from Whitehall
and got becalmed near the mountain. Three of us went ashore and rambled
around for an hour or more. Two years after I heard the story of an old man
that was taken prisoner by the Indians. They left him in the canoe while
they went ashore, and on their return brought a lot of lead with them. They
did not go more than thirty or forty rods from the shore, and when they got
through digging they carefully covered the place up so that it could not be
found. From the way he described the place I knew it was the very spot
which we had tramped over two years before. I think a man by the name of
Watson owned the land at that time. He would let no one dig, nor would he
Town of Chesterfield. 505
sell the land. It has been over fifty years, but I can go to the very spot which
the old man described. There may be no truth in it, but I have faith that
there is lead there."
More evidence is furnished in a letter from John Mattocks, of Chicago,
under date of April, 1883, in which he wrote : —
" Prior to 1870, perhaps as early as 1867, among a consignment of books
bearing the mark of ' Trinity College, Dublin,' for sale in Chicago, I pur-
chased a large atlas. Among its maps was one of Lake Champlain, three or
four feet in length, and between two and three feet in width, published before
the Revolutionary War. At or near the present location of Willsborough was
marked 'lead mine.' Writing to Judge Hale, of Elizabethtown, upon the
subject, he informed me of his suspicions that the map had been stolen from
the State Historical Society,^ and desired it for examination, and my impres-
sion is that he returned it after having a copy made by the State. The atlas
and correspondence were destroyed by the Chicago fire in 187 1. In this con-
nection I will mention that, in 1858, Jackson Bishop, of Keeseville, or his
brother John, showed me a cube-shaped piece of lead ore, which he found
while hunting on Trembleau Mountain. Rob. Fuller was let into the secret,
and we were to make a search in the locality where the lead was found ; end-
ing finally, in our visiting, instead, the site where a vessel was sunk off Port
Jackson, and where we saw the imaginary howitzers and cannon balls strewn
on the lake bottom, the waves preventing accurate observation. I mention
this to refresh the recollection of the parties. Bishop claimed to have visited
the lead mine locality, but has been unable to locate the spot. The piece of
lead ore shown me was similar to those found at Galena, and Bishop could
have no motive in misrepresenting the matter at that time." This statement is
not generally credited by inhabitants of the town.
In 187s a gentleman from Avon Lake, Ohio, visited this locality and found
many points of resemblance between it and the region of the western lead mines.
Mr. Martin, of Essex (now deceased), father-in-law of A. B. Morhous, had an
experience in which he secured a specimen of lead, which he related as fol-
lows : " I know nothing about any lead mine there. But I was once on a
sloop with my father becalmed on the bay near what they call the Red Rocks.
I took the shotgun and went on shore to get some partridges. When I
returned I climbed down a number of ledges coverd with small bushes. One
ledge six or seven feet high had a small bulge or lump partway down the side,
from which I had scraped the moss and been slightly hurt in passing it. I
1 Concerning this map, Mr. Watson wrote in a foot-note ( 1869) as follows : ' ' This map was brought
from England by Elkanah Watson, and was loaned by him to the State Department at Albany. All
trace has since been lost of it. It was a most important and interesting document, and believed to
contain the only minute chart of Lake Champlain extant. The steamer Salhis was wrecked in 1852
upon a slight needle rock laid down on this chart, but unknown to many of the navigators on the lake. "
The explanation given in our text undoubtedly clears up the mystery alluded to by Mr. Watson.
5o6 History of Essex County.
looked to see what it was, supposing it to be a root which had grown ovei the
edge of the cHff under the moss, and formed into a bulb at the end. I pulled
it away from the rock, and a ropy connection extended along under the moss,
which broke off near the edge of the rock above me. It was a dirty and
curious-looking thing. I took it with my partridges and gun and hurried
along toward the water. We afterwards examined it, and it was lead. I know
it was lead, for I ran it into balls for the rifle. I have since looked a great
many times, but there are so many ledges, and they look so much alike, I
never could find what I was sure was the one where I had been."
Captain Edwards also made several searches with Mr. Martin, but without
success. Messrs. Cameron & McDonald, contractors on the railroad, while
cutting through the Red Rock, found one small pocket of lead, but no more-
Early in the century Mr. Higby was building a saw-mill at Port Kendall, in
the gorge where the iron railway bridge now stands. While the workmen
were clearing the grounds in that vicinity, a crucible was found near the roots
of a tree, covered with moss and earth. Whether it was left there by the
French, or how its appearance there may be reasonably accounted for, are
questions for the curious to answer.
Upon this interesting topic Mr. Watson wrote in his Essex County History,
after referring to the " lead mine " endorsement on the old French map : " A
tradition of this ore bed is known to exist among, the savage tribes north of
the great lakes. A little flotilla of canoes, bearing Indians from that region,
as they represent, appears yearly^ about the middle of autumn, lying on the
beach in the vicinity of those mountains (the range between Chesterfield and
Willsborotigh). Lin^gering here for several days, with no ostensible pursuit,
they as suddenly disappear. I cannot resist the popular opinion that these
periodical visits have some connection with the legend and the existence of
this ore bed. Other circumstances tend to fortify this impression. Accounts
which have been retained in several families, descended from the early settlers
of the county, ancestors of which were carried to Canada as prisoners during
the Revolution, combine to corroborate these facts."
Such are the main details of what is known, related, and has been done in
connection with this subject ; and yet the public are as much in the dark to-
day as to the probability of there being lead in any profitable quantity in this
town, as they were seventy- five. years ago. ■ Scientists from near and far have
explored the locality in the endeavor to wrest the secret from nature, but they
have succeeded no better than did the unlettered pioneer. To sum the mat-
ter up it may not be presuming too much for us to say that while without
doubt lead has been found here, at least in small quantities, it is on the other
hand quite unlikely in the light of all the research that has been made that it
exists in any extensive deposit.
1 According to Mr. Branch, of Port Kent, these trips of the Indians continued down to about ten
years ago.
Town of Chesterfield. 507
Remains of tar works were found by the early settlers in the opening on
the pine bluffs on the eastern part of the boundary line between Essex and
Clinton counties, where Amherst's army is supposed to have encamped. Tar
was made here, undoubteflly, for use in ship-building; and it is a somewhat
singular coincidence that tar and pitch were made at the same locality and by
a similar process, for the equipment of McDonough's fleet more than fifty years
later.
Among the reminiscences of Mr. White is the statement that in about 1820
Earl Pierce, Thomas McLean, of Washington county, and Isaac Huestis, of
Chesterfield, purchased three hundred acres of land nine miles above Keese-
ville on the river ; it was then a wilderness. Huestis had already settled in the
Auger pond vicinity. Pierce occupied the new purchase, built dams and mills
and founded what was locally known as " Finchville," and afterward as New
Sweden. The wagon road along the river then extended only a mile above
Clintonville. At this locality quite a hamlet sprang up, comprising a store and
several dwellings. Mr. Pierce died in 1836 from the effects of a fall.
With the general growth of the town and the increase in the lumber trade
and manufacturing, and clearing up of the land, schools multiplied and churches
accompanied them, as they always do, and the general intelligence and mo-
rality of the various communities was much advanced. The history of these
institutions and the later business of the town appear a little further on.
Physicians of Chesterfield. — The town has been numerously and credita-
bly represented by followers of the healing art. Among those who practiced
here in early days were Drs. Clark, Fox, Forsyth, Jones, Allen and others.
Dr. Clark was one of the first physicians here and located near Keeseville.
He removed to Clintonville and later went to Ohio. Dr. Reuben Jones and
Dr. Ralph P. Allen were across the line between the counties, but practiced on
this side. Dr. James Forsyth remained in practice here for quite a period and
went South. Dr. Fox practiced at Keeseville for a time and died while visit-
ing at Champlain. Dr. Jacob Blaisdell was here soon after 1825, and Drs.
Pollard and Asa Lawyer soon after. Dr. Adin Weston, son of Elijah Weston,
preceded Dr. H. O. Tallmadge and practiced until recently. In 1859 Dr. Will-
iam V. K. McLean came; he died in 1875. Dr. H. A. 'Houghton was ho-
meopathic physician here for many years ; and Drs. C. J. Farley and A. P.
Hammond more recently. Drs. Haywood, Buller, Chase, and Samuel Fitzge-
rald, Bassett, D'Avignon and Mosier practiced in the Clintonville vicinity. Dr.
F. M. Hopkins graduated from the medical college at Woodstock, -Vt., in 1849,
and began practice in Clintonvijle in the same year. In 1853 he removed to
Keeseville, and practiced until his failing health made it necessary to take up
other pursuits. In 1876 he began the drug business in Keeseville, to which
his son has succeeded. He died in November, 1879.
Dr. H. O. Tallmadge graduated from the Castleton College of Medicine and
So8 History of Essex County.
was a physician in Bellevue hospital two years, ending in 1845. ^^ came to
Keeseville in 1846 and has remained in practice to the present time, though in
late years relinquishing much of his active work. Previous to entering the
college at Castleton he attended lectures in Albany and New York, and later
in the University of New York and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
His son, Dr. A. T. Tallmadge, is now associated with him.
Dr. W. M. Nead is a graduate of the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital Col-
lege, 1884, and is now associated with Dr. W. G. Pope, of Keeseville.
Dr. W. G. Pope graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical Col-
lege in March, 1870. He came directly to Keeseville and has practiced here
since.
Dr. C. B. Barber is a graduate of the Albany Medical College. He prac-
ticed first in Canton, St. Lawrence county, and then in Bloomingdale, next at
Black Brook and came to Keeseville in 1876.
Dr. M. B. Holcomb studied in St. Albans, Vt, and graduated from the
Bellevue Hospital College in 1879. Came to Keeseville in 1880.
The dental profession is ably represented by G. C. Wilkinson who came
here in i860.
Attorneys of Chesterfield. — Among the early attorneys of the town may be
mentioned Ezra C. Gross; he was a Member of Congress in 18 19— 21. David
McNeil was his partner for a long time and \vent to Plattsburg. Thomas Tom-
linson, practiced here and was in the Legislature in 1835-36 and Congress in
1841-43. George A. Simmons was a leading lawyer; was in the Legislature
in 1840-42 and Member of Congress in 1852-57. Many able attorneys studied
in his office, among whom was Thomas G. Alvord, of Onondaga county, who
has spent much of his life in the councils of the State. Gardner Stow was a
Keeseville attorney and went to Troy; he was attorney- general in 1853.
Lemuel Stetson was another and was district-attorney of Clinton county in
1838, judge in 1847, '"^ the Legislature in 1835, 1842 and 1862, and Member
of Congress in 1843.
Martin Finch has lived in Keeseville forty-five years ; was born in the
town of Jay. He was educated at the academy in Bennington, Vt, and grad-
uated from Williams College in 1837. He studied Jaw in Keeseville in the
office of Thomas A. Tomlinson and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He was
a Member of the Legislature in 1860-62. His office is now on Front street.
F. A. Rowe studied law with A. K. Dudley, in Elizabethtown, and was
admitted to the bar in May, 1876. He came to Keeseville in April -of the next
year. His office is in the Kingsland building. Front street.
Charles F. Tabor is a native of Shelburne, Chittenden county, Vt., and
studied law with George A. Simmons, in Keeseville. He was admitted to the
bar in 1838 at Albany. He removed to Troy and was in practice there over
twenty years, when he returned to Keeseville in 1876 and has since continued
in his profession here.
Town of Chesterfield. 509
A. W. Boynton studied law with Robert S. Hale, in Elizabethtown, and
was admitted to the bar in 1881. He came to Keeseville the next year and is
now in practice.
Thomas F. Conway is a native of the county and was educated in the
Keeseville Academy and at Columbia Law School. He wUs admitted in 1882
and has practiced in Keeseville since. He is now partner of A. W. Boynton.
(See chapter on the bar of the county.)
It will not be out of place here to mention some of the prominent men of
the town, whose abilities were recognized by their fellow- citizens by placing
them in positions of trust and responsibility. Asa Adgate, the pioneer, was in
the Legislature in 1798-99, and in 18 15-17 was sent to Congress. He was an
able representative.
Josiah Fisk was sent to the Legislature in 1825-26 and to the State Senate
in 1832-35.
Richard Keese was a Member of Congress in 1827-29 and Elisha Winter
in 1813-15.
Samuel Ames was elected to the Senate in 1872-73 and Ed. Kingsland,
2d., was in the State Legislature of 1872. Gordon Thomas was a Member of
the Legislature in 1850; N. C. Boynton in 1855. Ezra C. Gross was a Mem-
ber of Congress from here in 18 19-21, and Thomas Tomlinson represented his
town in the Legislature 1835-36 and in Congress in 1841. Numerous others
doubtless deserve mention but these must suffice.
Town Civil List. — Owing to the destruction of the town records we are
unabie to give the early action of the authorities and the first town officers ;
but we have been fortunate in securing a list of the supervisors from the year
1 8 18; they are as follows, with their years of service : 18 18 to 1822 inclu-
sive, Asa Adgate; 1823 to 1825, Philo Strong; 1826 to 1829 inclusive
OHver Keese; 1830, Benjamin L. Beach; 1831-32, Robert Forsyth.; 1833
John Macomber; 1834, Thomas A. Tomlinson; 1835, Charles M. Watson
1836, Alvin Colvin; 1837-38, Levi Higby ; 1839, William L Whaling
1840, Richard Feabody ; 1841, Milote Baker; 1842, William I. WhaHng
1843-44, George Adgate; 1845, Thomas A. Tomlinson; 1846, George Ad-
gate; 1847 to 1852 inclusive, Martin Finch; 1853, Grove M. Harwood ;
1854, Norman Page; 1855, Charles M. Watson; 1856 to 1859 inclusive, Mar-
tin Finch ; 1860-61, Ira S. Smith; 1862 to 1866 inclusive, Rufus Prescott ;
1867-68, Nathaniel C. Boynton ; 1869-70, Luther Whitney ; 1871, Heman O.
Matthews; 1872, ; 1873-74,. Benjamin D. Clapp ; 1875 to 1881 inclu-
sive, Nathaniel C. Boynton ; 1882 to 1884 inclusive, Frank A. Rowe ; 1885,
Matthew A. Thomas.
Following are the present officers of the town : Supervisor, Matthew A.
Thomas; clerk, Enos C. Bull; justice. Liberty B. Branch; assessor, Joseph
Tierney ; commissioner of highways, J. F. Caswell ; overseers of the poor, O.
5IO History of Essex County.
H. Kendrick, David Lawson; collector, B. J. McGuire; constables, E. M.
Monroe, F. C. Stevens, Ransom Bowen, Edward Palmer, Daniel Peaseley;
game constable, A. P. Boardman ; excise commissioner, Martin Finch.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Keeseville Village. — This thriving village is situated on the Ausable river
about five miles from its mouth and lies partly in Essex and partly in Clinton
county. The first settler in the immediate vicinity was Robert Hoyle, who
moved here in about the year 1 806. Robert W. Anderson and John Keese came
in about the same time, the latter being the ancestor of the numerous Keese
families who have been identified with most of the prominent^interests of the town
from that time to the present. Mr. Keese settled " about ten rods from the
road directly east of the Lapham homestead." His wife was Elizabeth Titus
and among his children were John, jr., Richard, and Oliver. They and their
descendants have been foremost in all public enterprises and official stations in
this town and county ; from this family the village took its name.
The elder Keese was the original proprietor of most of the land on which
the village of Keeseville is built. It is stated in the obituary published upon
the death of his son Richard, who died at the age of eighty-nine years in Keese-
ville, that he and his son embarked extensively in the lumber business in 181 5,
when the place was known as " Anderson's Falls." Richard Keese was sub-
sequently identified with various branches of business in Keeseville and was
one of the officers of the Essex County Bank. He married Lydia Hurlbut, of
Ferrisburgh, Vt., in 1817; she died in 1864. He was an ardent Democrat
and served one term in Congress and was judge of the Common Pleas.
At the time under consideration, what was known as Bosworth's Tavern,
or simply Bosworth's, was the center of what business was carried on in the
town. This tavern was south of Keeseville in the Auger pond vicinity. Jo-
seph Campbell built a small house there opposite the tavern, and sold goods
there, and Thomas Worden also had a store.
Mr. Colvin's recollections of Keeseville in the early years of the century
are quite vivid and interesting. He says: "A bridge was built across the river
soon after the locality was settled, a dam and saw- mill erected and a house
eighty or ninety feet long and about thirty wide put up and finished on the
south side, which was used for a store ; here the first goods were sold in Keese-
ville. The north part of the building was used for a tavern and a boarding-
house. The building stood on the site of the present Mould brick block.
" Hoyle & Anderson engaged in the lumber business for the Quebec market.
Benjamin P. Beach was an early settler here and the first blacksmith in the
place. He built a dwelling on the west side of the street about opposite the
site of Dr. Tallmadge's house, and a blacksmith and trip-hammer shop on the
site of the Water Works engine house."
Judge Josiah Fisk was one of the early leading citizens of the place and.
Town of Chesterfield. 511
according to Mr. Colvin, in company witli Robert Forsyth in 18 16 moved
upon what was known as the Elisha Winter farm and lately as the Hatch farm.
Mr. Fisk soon engaged in the lumber business, with almost everybody else,
and shipped enormous rafts to Quebec. He followed the business for several
years and in 1 8 1 9 collected a raft which covered over two acres of water, which
was successfully taken to Canada. He soon afterward purchased property in
Keeseville and organized the firm of Fisk, Keese, & Co. with Oliver Keese,
2d, as his partner; they built the grist-mill and a woolen factory. The other
members of this firm were WilHam Peters and Richard Peabody.
Alfred Hartwell came here early and engaged in the manufacture of cloths,
carding wool and dressing cloth, in a wooden building which was removed in
about the year 1824 by Sylvanus Wells, and the stone structure erected in its
place.
Colonel Thomas A. Tomlinson came here in 1824 and was the first lawyer
to settle here.
About 1820 Rodman Brown came into the place and built a tavern, which
he kept for a number of years.
Robert Hoyle was interested with the Keese family in extensive lumbering
operations previous to 18 10. They also built the first bridge over the river
where the stone arch bridge now stands, and started various business enter-
prises.
Edmund and Nelson Kingsland came here a few years before 1830 and be-
came leading men in all enterprises looking to the general advancement of the
village. Nelson was a wagon-maker by trade ; the brother started a wagon
factory about 1831 in the old "Beach" building.
Artemas White, who is now one of the venerable residents of the village,
was born in Burlington in 1808 and came to Keeseville in 1824, though his
recollections of the place extend farther back. He was one of a family of seven
children, but one of whom beside himself (a sister) now lives in the county.
Mr. White has resided in the house he now occupies for fifty-five years. He
recalls but two buildings now standing in the village that were there in 1824 ;
these are the harness shop of Mr. Wolcott, in which Seth Pope, one of the
early merchants, sold goods, and the house now occupied by C. F. Tabor.
Mr. White and Norman Whitney are the only men now living in the village
who were here in 1824. Lumber and nail making were then the principal
occupations. Benjamin P. Beach was, according to Mr. White, a prominent
lumber dealer ; he also had a wagon shop and a trip hammeir where the Water
Works now stand. He was killed about 1830 by a log rolling over him. Fisk,
Keese & Co., Martin Pope and M. I. Vandewarker also kept a great many
teams busy in the lumber traffic, and seventy-five loads might be seen at one
time moving along the lake road. M. I. Vandewarker had a saw-mill at the
upper dam ; Martin Pope two at the same place ; Fisk, Keese & Co. where the
512 History of Essex County.
lower grist-mill stands, and Granger & Co. at the same locality ; George Fow-
ler had one on the Auger pond outlet and Isaac Heustis one on the Butternut
pond outlet. Fisk, Keese & Co. also had a gang-mill at the upper dam, on
the Clinton side — the first mill of the kind on the river.
In 1 824 there was a grist-mill located where the Prescott furniture manufac-
tory now is, which was then operated by Amzi Hicks ; another was built just south
of this one by Fisk, Keese & Co. who were succeeded by Fisk & Tomlinson, they
by Wm. Tabor and he by Richard Hoag, who had it to 1 883, when it was leased by
N. C. Boynton. The members of the firm of Fisk, Keese & Co. who are so prom-
inently connected with the early business interests of the place, were Josiah Fisk,
Oliver Keese, Richard Peabody and William Peters; they kept a store among
other enterprises. Alfred Hartwell, already spoken of by Mr. Colvin, was in-
terested with the firm at one period, and had the woolen-mill in the building now
occupied by Mr. Prescott's factory. That was followed by a wire manufactory,
which was operated a few years by Edmund Baber. The Kingslands then
manufactured tools, bolts, etc., there a few years. It was next changed to a
twine factory. The building then stood unoccupied until Mr. Prescott
took it.
There was a tannery here in 1824 where the Baptist Church now stands,
which was operated by Alexander Tremble, and another one on the other side
of the stream.
The first rolling-mill here was built in 181 5, and in the next year was put
in operation. It was run by a company called the Keeseville Rolling and
Slitting Mill Company. The two principal members of the firm were Richard
Keese and Oliver Keese, the other members being John W. Anderson, Rod-
man and Caleb Brown, and Joseph Call. Richard Keese remained in the firm
but a short time, and was followed by his son, Richard, jr. The company
manufactured nail- plate chiefly, which was "slit" into horse-nail rods. In
1816 a machine for cutting straight nails without heads was introduced. The
machine that headed the nails was run by hand. About 1825 Joshua Aiken
and Paschal P. Spear introduced nail machines that cut the nails complete.
The nail manufacture was afterward carried on by the Kingsland Brothers.
In 1820 Richard Keese built the upper dam and put in operation the two-fire
forge on the Clinton county side ; his ore came from the Arnold bed in that
county, and the product was worked up by the rolling-mill described. Elias
A. Hurlburt became a partner about this time. In 1826 Richard Keese was
sent to Congress, and sold out his business interest to Hurlburt, Aiken &
Prindle, who conducted a heavy manufacturing interest for a number of years.
About 1840 the old forge at the upper dam was abandoned, and a new one
with four fires erected at the lower works.
The first foundry in the place was built by Joseph Goulding in 1829. In
1832 the firm of Goulding & Peabody was formed, new buildings erected, and
Town of Chesterfield. 513
a large business carried on for several years. After some changes In proprie-
torship the property was bought In 1865 by Nelson Klngsland. In 1870
Hon. E. Klngsland, son of Nelson, took a half Interest in the works and
remained till 1878 ; the establishment is now in charge of George and Henry
Klngsland, sons of Nelson. Some twenty-five years ago the firm of E. &
J. D. Klngsland leased the old woolen factory, a fine stone structure on the
bank of the stream ; there they manufactured tools a few years. About i860
Levi Scribner began the manufacture of axletrees in the building, which he
continued about two years. In June, 1870, the manufacture of wire was
begun there and continued about three years. W. H. Prescott & Son now
own the building, having secured It at a great sacrifice, and carry on an exten-
sive furniture manufacturing business, shipping large quantities, and stocking
their own store in the village.
On the 8th of May, 1834, the Manchester Cotton Manufacturing Company
was Incorporated with a capital of $50,000. It was under the management
of the following named gentlemen as directors : Elkanah Watson, Richard
Keese, Joseph Gouldlng, Charles M. Watson and Daniel Woodman.
In May, 1836, the Keeseville Woolen and Cotton Manufacturing Company
was Incorporated, with Josiah Flsk, Richard Keese, Alfred Hartwell, Oliver
Keese 2d, and Andrew Thompson as directors. It was through these com-
panies that the large stone factory above spoken of was erected. Their
operations were not successful.
In the language of an old resident, "after 1830 there were so many new
enterprises started that It would be hard to keep track of them." The place
depended for its growth largely upon its own local resources and advantages
as a manufacturing center ; even the railroad agitation, and construction in the
vicinity in later years, produced but little effect upon the place. An old set-
tler says : "The village has never been much affected by the railroads; the
people have lived and thriven within themselves."
The Ausable Horse- Nail Company was organized In 1863 with a capital
of $40,000, which subsequently, in 1865, was Increased to $80,000. Its char-
ter was renewed in 1883 and Its capital stock raised to $160,000 at that time.
Its works are located upon three dams, furnishing its water-power, which is
exclusively used, two being In the village of Keeseville and one about a mile
below. It has three nail factories, containing fifty-five " Dodge " horse-nail
machines; a nall-finishlng factory, rolling-mill, machine-shop, saw- mill, box-
shop, storage and various other buildings which, with the land owned by the
company, cover upwards of two acres in area. The metal used for Its nails Is
imported in bars and rolled in Its mills into nail-rods, the yearly production of
rods being about 1,200 tons. Boxes for packing nails are made from lumber
cut from logs in its saw-mill, and the nails made and shipped in these pack-
ages, of twenty-five pounds to each box, are of the first quality, and find
33
514 History of Essex County.
ready sale in all parts of the United States. The company furnishes employ-
ment to about two hundred hands, and the average yearly product is about
one thousand tons of finished horse-shoe nails.
The present extensive business of the company has grown since 1863
(when it commenced with ten nail-machines and with sales of about one hun-
dred tons of nails for the first year), under the supervision of Mr. Edmund
Kingsland, who inaugurated the enterprise, and until his death, in April, 1884,
was its president and head. Its officers now are Abraham Bussing, president ;
Daniel Dodge, vice-president; James R. Romeyn, secretary, and Edmund K.
Baber, treasurer and manager.
Keeseville has suffered in comnion with all other settlements on the Au-
sable and its branches from destructive floods. When there has been a large
fall of snow followed by copious spring rains, that stream is wont to attract the
anxious and almost undivided attention of the majority of people who inhabit
its locality, until the down-rushing waters in some measure subside ; it be-
comes a roaring, rushing, boiling flood carrying destruction in its track. One
of the most destructive freshets, as far as Keeseville is concerned, was that of
1856. The saw-mill, grist-mill, the nail factory, two gas furnaces and the
forge pipes and building, the bellows-house connected therewith, blacksmith
shop and rolling-mill, were either wholly or partly destroyed. The large stone
machine shop at the upper dam was swept away, and bridges and other val-
uable property were engulfed in the mad torrent.
Neither has the village escaped destructive fires. In 1867 a heavy fire oc-
curred which destroyed many buildings and unfortunately consumed the town
records, necessitating re-districting the town for school and road purposes.
Another fire less destructive occurred in 1878, and a third one in 1882, which
caused a loss of more than $60,000 and swept away a large part of the busi-
ness houses of the place. These repeated losses finally awakened the inhabi-
tants to the necessity of better facilities for the extinguishment of fires. The
water works were accordingingly established in 1883. Water is pumped from
the river direct to the mains on the Holly system. There are two pumps, one
for fire purposes and the other for domestic uses. Their capacity is 450,000
gallons for the domestic pump and 1,450,000 for the fire pump. Two wheels
are in use, one of eighty and the other of thirty horse-power. The works cost
$35,000, for which bonds were issued. About five miles of pipe are laid and
forty-eight hydrants placed. The first and present fire commissioners are
William Harper, president ; E." K. Baber, Rufus Prescott; and H. M. Mould,
secretary and treasurer.
The village was incorporated in 1878. Following were the first board of
officers : Daniel Dodge, president ; Willis Mould, Heman O. Matthews, and
Rufus Prescott. The presidents since the incorporation have been as follows :
Charles F. Tabor, 1879; B. D. Clapp, 1880; Edmund K. Baber, 1881, 1882,
and 1883 ; H. M. Mould, 1884; N. C. Boynton, 1885.
Town of Chesterfield. 515
Early in the century Joseph Coville, the pioneer, and Richard Buckmeister
carried the mail from the south through to Plattsburg. The first post-office
in this town was established at " Bosworth's," and Mr. Bosworth was undoubt-
edly the first postmaster. John Macomber was also one of the early officials in
that capacity. He was followed in 18 16, by Oliver Keese, who kept the office
in the store of Fisk, Keese & Co. Mr. Keese was succeeded by Oliver Peabody,
after whom came in succession Gordon T. Thomas, Arthur C. Nelson, Carlisle
D. Beaumont, M. S. Hoffnagle, and George Adgate. Joseph Reynolds was
next appointed, but soon afterward died ; Willis Mould then performed the
duties of the office, Mrs. Reynolds receiving the income. Ira Smith succeeded
and turned the office over to Henry Stevens the present incumbent (1885).
Present Mercantile Interests. — The first store in Keeseville was kept by
John W. Anderson in one end of the long building already mentioned in the
language of Mr. Colvin. Keese, Fisk & Keese opened a general store about
1826 on the Essex county side of the river, and the same year Keese, Hurl-
burt & Keese established a store on the opposite side. Taylor & Co. began
trade in 1868 (W. C. Taylor, R. B. Marsh, and C. S. Taylor), Marsh & Taylor
succeeded, and in 1878 Mr. Taylor bought his partner's interest and has since
conducted the business alone. He occupied his present location in 1883. H.
S. Fletcher opened a general store in the winter of 1877 > he is one of the old
business men of the place. In 1882 his son joined him.
N. C. Boynton kept a stock of groceries in the store which has been occu-
pied since the spring of 1883 by Thomas & Romeyn.
C. R. Sherman began general trade in 1884 at his present location. George
H. Prescott kept groceries there previously. J. Farrell & Co. carry a stock of
groceries and crockery, F. H. Adgate being the partner ; they began in their
present location in 1883. B. J. McGuire is in the grocery trade, corner of
Main and Front streets, where he opened in December, 1884. Previous to
that time and since 1882 he was in the Commercial Hotel building.
B. D. Clapp & Co. do a large hardware trade, the firm being composed of
B. D. Clapp, M. Sowles and C. E. M. Edwards. Business was begun in 1871
opposite their present location, where the harness shop is located. Mr. Clapp
is a prominent business man in the community.
A. W. Kincaid began the sale of boots and shoes in 1875 opposite his pres-
ent location, to which he removed in 1882. The building was previously oc-
cupied by Mr. Prescott with furniture.
J. M. Atwood is engaged in the clothing trade, having come here from
Boston in 1876. M. Baum is also engaged in clothing and furnishing goods
trade. He was preceded by his brother Charles, who was here during the last
war.
Willis Mould bought out the drug store of Hasbrouck & Sanborn in 1857 ;
he was associated with Dr. H. 0. Tallmadge for a few years and continued
5i6 History of Essex County.
alone to 1869, when his son formed a partnership with him, the firm being W.
Mould. & Son. It continued thus until the death of Willis Mould in February,
1883, since which time H. M. Mould has continued the business. The elder
Mould came to this place in 1845, and in 1868 built the Mould Block, on the
site which was burned over in the preceding year. F. H. Hopkins's sons suc-
ceeded their father in the drug trade ; the latter began business in April, 1876,
and the present location was occupied in 1877. Upon the retirement of Dr.
Hopkins the sons took the store (1879).
Charles Sterns began trade at his present location about seventeen years
ago ; the firm at first being Sterns & Rogers. Mr. Sterns bought his partner's
interest and has since added millinery to his dry goods business. Mrs. F. A.
Robarge also carries on the millinery trade.
W. F. Cottrill opened a jewelry and fancy goods trade in the fall of 1874.
He was burned out on Main street in the last fire and removed to his present
location on Front street. W. H. Prescott began a jewelry trade in December,
1884, corner of Main and Front streets. R. C. Landon opened his fancy goods
business on Front street in May, 1881.
Hotels. — One of the first, if not the very first tavern in the town, was Bos-
worth's, three miles south of Keeseville on the road to Elizabethtown. This
house was the general meeting place on all public occasions and was known
over a wide extent of territory. About the year 18 12 John W. Anderson
opened a public house in one end of the long building in which he had a store.
He was an energetic business man, as we have noted, and is also remembered
by old inhabitants as an excellent singer. Mr. Brown kept an early tavern on
the site of the former Ausable House. Following him, in about 1824, Robert
Forsyth kept the old Adirondack House, which stood on the site of the brick
building in which is the present post-office. The Ausable House was erected
by a company a little later than 1840. The present Delmont House wasbnilt
after the last fire by Louis Nollette, and has been conducted since 1884 by H.
H. Vanaranum. The Commercial Hotel was also erected since the fire by
Michael McGuire, who now keeps it. The Keeseville House is kept by James
Rafter. The splendid Lake View House is located near Birmingham Falls,
and will accommodate two hundred guests. The main portion was built in
1874 and several additions have since been put on. It is closed during winter.
Banking. — In April, 1832, the Essex County Bank, village of Keeseville,
was incorporated by the Legislature, with a capital stock of $100,000, divided
into four thousand shares. Oliver Keese, 2d, Martin Pope, and Elias Hurl-
burt, of Keeseville ; Reuben Whallon, William D. Ross, of Essex ; William
Burt, of Clintonville, and James Duane, of Duane, Franklin county, were its
commissioners under the act. Judge Fisk was the first president of this bank ;
its affairs were wound up in 1862.
The Keeseville National Bank was organized in December, 1870, with a
Town of Chesterfield. 517
$100,000 capital. The first president was Nelson Kingsland and the first
cashier, Samuel Ames. Edmund K. Baber is now president of the bank, and
C. M. Hopkins cashier.
The Press. — With the growth of the town the need of a newspaper was
felt here as it is in all Yankee communities ; and there is always somebody with
the strongest confidence that he was born a journalist. The Keeseville Herald
was started in 1825 by F. P. Allen, who was soon succeeded by A. H. Allen;
he continued the paper with some interruptions until 1841.
The Keeseville Argus was established by Adonijah Emmons about 1831
and continued five or six years.
In September, 1839, the Essex County Republican vi^s. established by Wen-
dell Lansing. In 1843 he sold out to John C. Osburn. He was succeeded in
the publication by Milliken & Morgan and then by Mr. Morgan alone ; Glen
Tarbell then took the paper, and in 1854 James Dickinson succeeded, but
turned it over to Joseph W. Reynolds, who conducted the office to about the
breaking out of the war, when he died, and N. C. Boynton took the establish-
ment and continued the business until 1867, when it was burned.
In the mean time Mr. Lansing returned to Keeseville in 1854 and started
the Northern Standard, which he successfully conducted until i860; at this
time he went South, selling his establishment to Joseph W. Reynolds, before
mentioned. Rettfrning from the south, Mr. Lansing went to Plattsburg and
conducted a paper there four years, returning to Keeseville in 1868. He then
re-estabhshed the Essex County Republican, which has been one of the leading
country journals of Northern New York. Mr. Lansing's son (A. W. Lansing)
is now associated with him in the publication.
Among the various newspaper enterprises that have failed here was the
Ausable River Gazette, begun about 1847 by D. Turner and continued five or
six years. The Old Settler, by A. H. Allen, removed to Saratoga Springs.
The Northern Gazette, ^kiowX. 185 1, continued several years. The Keeseville
News, published by the Keeseville Publishing Company from August, 1879,
and soon discontinued.
The senior Mr. Lansing, is one of the veteran journalists of the State and
is now seventy-eight years of age. He is a native of Madison county, and
obtained his education in the schools of his native place and the Cazenovia
Academy. At twenty-one he entered a printing office in Greenwich, Wash-
ington county, and eight months later was running a paper. In 1839 he
established the Essex County Republican, as stated. He was prominent in the
anti-slavery movement, and has always been a pronounced Radical. He raised
a company in the 77th Regiment and remained in the service until forced to
abandon it by failing health. He is a vigorous writer, a sagacious politician,
and wears his venerable years amid the respect of the community and his
extensive acquaintance elsewhere.
Si8 History of Essex County.
Schools. — The first school of much importance in Keeseville stood on the
hill, on the site of the present building. Ira D. Knowles taught there in early
days. The schools of the place are now organized under the union free
school system, which went into operation in 1873.
The Keeseville Academy was incorporated in May, 1835, as a stock
organization. Joseph Fisk and Martin Pope were the incorporators. The
first trustees were John Whitcomb, Richard Keese, Richard H. Peabody,
George A. Simmons, Andrew Thompson, Reuben Jones, Ralph P. Allen,
Joseph Lapham and Henry F. Granger. There were fifty-nine stockholders
in the company. The first principal of the institution was Jonathan Lamb.
He was followed by Messrs. Smith, Gregory, Gilbert Thayer, W. F. Bascom,
Charles H. Seaton, William C. Aumock, Lewis, William H. Landon, E. F.
Bullard. In 1880 W. M. Phelps was principal, .and was succeeded by W. R.
Newton in 1882 to 1884, and A. C. Ferrin to the present time. The present
building, forty by sixty feet in dimensions, was erected in 1845. The number
of students at that time was one hundred and five, and an average of nine
teachers have been employed. The value of the property was then about
$4,600. On the 13th of June, 1870, the trustees of the Union Free School
secured a lease of the property and still occupy it under the same lease.
Masonic. — The following account of the Masonic Order in this town was
furnished by George C. Wilkinson, esq., of Keeseville: —
The present Masonic lodge in Keeseville, Ausable River Lodge No. 149,
was chartered in 1849, on the 20th day of June. Worshipful Brother Ira
Haywood was the first master. Brother Winslow C. Watson, senior warden,
and Brother William H. Brockway, junior warden. The charter is signed by
John D. Willard, grand master; William H. Melnor, deputy grand master;
G. S. Barnum, senior grand warden ; Nelson Randall, junior grand warden.
R. W. Frank M. Hopkins, who was for many years master of this lodge, was
assistant grand lecturer under R. W. William H. Drew, and aided very mate-
rially in perfecting our present system of work and lectures. R. W. Brother
Hopkins was made grand sword bearer in i860 and was elected by the Grand
Lodge as grand lecturer in 1861. The lodge has now a membership of about
one hundred, and has about $1,500 in its treasury. George C. Wilkinson is
the present master, W. G. Pope, senior warden, and W. A. Thomas, junior
warden.
There was a lodge here called Peru Lodge No. 319 that surrendered its
charter during the Morgan trouble. We have been unable to find its records.
There was also a chapter here called " McDonough Chapter," of which we
find the records from March 31st, 1825, to January 26th, 1831, but nothing to
show how or why it ceased to act. In 1825 James Pilling was high priest,
Sidney Ketchum was king, and Ralph P. Allen was scribe. There is not a
man alive to-day whose name appears in its records.
Town of Chesterfield. 519
churches.
Baptist. — The Keeseville Baptist Church owes its origin to the efforts of
Isaac Finch, who located about a mile above Peru Landing in 1787 ; in the
following year he organized the church movement. The society was consti-
tuted in 1 79 1 in a log-house at Peru occupied by Uriah Palmer. The first
members were Edward Everett and his wife, Kinne Newcomb, Robert Coch-
ran, Stephen Reynolds, Lucretia Reynolds, Sarah Palmer, Noble' Averill, Polly
Averill, John Cochran, Isaac Finch, Abigail Finch, John Finch, Sarah Finch,
Simeon Barber, Catherine Barber and Uriah Palmer. Noble Averill was the
first clerk, and Solomon Brown the first pastor ;• he was from Granville, Wash-
ington county. This was then the only church in this region. After about
two years Mr. Brown left and was succeeded by Rev. Parker Reynolds. Two
years later he removed to Jonesborough, but returned in 1818 and resumed
the pastorage of this church, continuing three years. Meetings were held in
several of the towns hereabouts until July, 1823, when they began to hold
meetings in the school-house at Keeseville. In 1824 Ebenezer Mott (who was
subsequently ordained (1826) in the yellow school-house) came from Crown
Point and assumed pastoral duties. He left in 1827 and was succeeded in
October, 1828, by Conant Sawyer. He was afterward ordained (1829) as an
evangelist. He left the church in October, 1830, and in the next year Robert
Bryant took his place ; succeeding him came Robert C. Brisbane, of Fabius,
N. Y., in 1833 ; Rev. Henry Green, of Cornwall, Vt, in 1835, who was only
temporarily engaged ; in the same year, Rev. Hiram Safford ; in 1 840, Rev.
Conant Sawyer; in 1845, R^v. Charles Nichols; 1847, Rev. L. Fletcher;
1849, Rev. Washington Kingsley; 1851, Rev. J. W. Eaton; in this year the
new church was built on Front street ; Alfred Baber, Edmund and Jacob
Kingsland and others were liberal contributors, and Joseph Pilling presented
the society with a fine organ ; the old building was sold to the Catholics.
Rev. Mr. Eaton resigned in 1855, and was followed by Rev. John E. Cheshire;
1859, Rev. J. F. Bigelow, D. D.; three years followed without a pastor; 1868,
Rev. S. D. Moxley to 1876; Rev. John Matthews till 1883, and Rev. Evan
Davis, the present pastor. The parsonage was erected in 1874 by Deacon
Daniel Dodge and Edmund Kingsland. The following have served the church
as deacons : Uriah Palmer, Mr. Taylor, Milo Fuller, Luther Rowe, Pascal P.
Spear, James Hinds, Humphrey Ta,ylor, John Tennant, Levi S. Scribner,
Daniel Dodge.
Presbyterian Church. — In 1806 this incipient organization met at the
dwelling of Samuel Whitney in Chesterfield ; there were present thirteen per-
sons who desired to form a church society. The church was formed in a log
house which was occupied up to a few years ago by Mrs. Conger. Rev. Cy-
rus Comstock, Chester Armstrong and James Gilbert, among others, preached
here in early days. The earliest records of the church date back to 1809.
S20 History of Essex County.
The early deacons were Samuel Whitney, Matthew Adgate and Marcus Barns.
In 1828 stated meetings of the Congregational Church were held in the old
yellow school-house at Keeseville. The first pastor (1829) was Rev. Solomon
Lyman to 1834 ; the corner-stone of the church edifice was laid in 1830, under
direction of Martin Pope, John Brigham, Henry H. Mather, Joshua Aiken, Jo-
seph P. Reynolds. The structure was completed in 1831. The first trustees were
Joshua Aiken, Joseph P. Reynolds and William R. Peters. The first meeting
of the society was held at Keeseville on the 12th of October, 1829. Percival
Morse was the first clerk. From 1834 to 1838, Rev. A. D. Brinkerhofi" was
pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. H. D. Kitchell ; 1836 and 1856 Rev. John
Mattocks; the present church building was dedicated in 1852; 1857 to 1858,
Rev. John R. Young served the church; Rev. Selden Haynes to i860; Rev.
A. Hemenway to 1864; Rev. Henry E. Butler to 188 1 ; L. H. Elliott to 1884;
Rev. C. S. Newhall is the present pastor. In 1871 the vestry was remodeled
at a cost of $700. In 1874 the audience-room was repaired at a cost of $3,-
500. In 1866-67 the parsonage was purchased, refitted and occupied. This
society was organized as a Congregational society, but in 1845 it united with
the Presbytery of Champlain. The following have served the church as dea-
cons: 1806, Judge Matthew Adgate and Samuel Whitney ; 18 14, Marcus
Barnes; 1830 and 1858, Joseph P. Reynolds; 1834 and 1840, Curtiss Wood-
ruff; 1840 and 1854, Myron Ticknor; 1842, Daniel Adgate; 1853, Jonathan
Davis; 1855, Charles Morris; 1854, Jonas Olmstead ; 1864, Cyrus Andrews;
1875, James H. Deeming. A Sabbath-school was organized early in the history
of the church but there are no records of its progress. Its present superin-
tendent is A. C. Andrews.
Keeseville Methodist Church. — Rev. Samuel Draper was the first Metho-
dist minister who preached about here. He is remembered as a quaint man
with a decidedly humorous turn. In 1823 the Methodists held a meeting in
the yellow school-house (which seems to have so well served all public pur-
poses), and about 1825 decided to build an edifice on the summit of Port Doug-
lass hill. In 1827 they had their first regular pastor, whose name is not re-
corded. The first records (1828), show the names of David S. Eggleston,
Chauncey G. Moon, Samuel Southard and Reuben Westcott as stewards.
Among the first members were Heman Sprague, Rufus Harwell, Jeremiah
Hayes, Abel Chamberlain, James Garrett, John Whitcomb, Elihu Hayes, Wes-
son Macomber, Josiah Fisk and E. F. Barber. In 1830 the stone church was
begun on Front street, Keeseville, and dedicated by Rev. Truman Seymour.
Rev. Merritt Bates was then the regular pastor. Following is the list of suc-
cessive pastors: 1827-28, Rev. Elijah Crane; 1829-30, Rev. Parmalee Cham-
berlain; 183 1, Merritt Bates; 1832, Truman Seymour; 1834-35, John Pegg;
1836-37, Charles P. Clark; 1838-39, Friend W. Smith; 1840, Merritt Bates;
1841-43, W. Chipp; 1843-44, H. Meeken ; 1845-46, Z. Philhps; 1847-48,
Town of Chesterfield. 521
James Rawson ; 1849-50, W. P. Gray; 1851-52, W. Griffin; 1853-54, G. C.
Wells; 1855-56, C. F. Burdick ; 1857-58, Samuel Meredith; 1859, H. T.
Johns; 1860-61, A. CanoU; 1862-63, T. A. Griffin; 1864-65, S. McChes-
ney; 1866-67, James M. Edgerton; 1868-69, B. B. Loomis; 1870-71, Rob-
ert Fox; 1872, M. A. Wicker; 1873, W. P. Rulison ; 1874, M. A. Wicker;
1875, W. H. Rawson; 1877, J.J. Noe.
The most extensive revival was under the ministration of Rev. Merritt
Bates in 1840. A large Sabbath-school has been continued from the first.
The following have been superintendents : Elijah F. Barber, Gilbert Hayes,
Amasa Macomber, C. D. Beaumont, Samuel E. Keeler, Joseph Beach, Charles
Cheeney, Rufus Prescott, Henry S. Fletcher, Hurlburt Keese, Wendell Lan-
sing. The church property was valued in 1880 at $9,000 and was out of
debt.
Roman Catholic Church. — Michael Keenan was about the first Roman
Catholic who located near Keeseville. In 1822 Rev. Father Barber held ser-
vices here for two weeks and was succeeded by Father McGilligan. The first
priest stationed here was Rev. Father Rodgers ; next came Father Rooney and
Father McDonald. In 1851 Father McLaughlin succeeded Father McDon-
ald; 1852-61, Rev. James Keveny ; 1861-63, Rev. Philip Keveny ; 1863-66,
Rev. William Carroll, and in 1864, Rev. Father Driscoll, as associates; 1866-
1870, Rev. John McDonald; 1870 until after 1880, Rev. Tobias Glenn; the
present pastor is Rev. Father Devlin. The church is in a prosperous con-
dition.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church. — This society was organized January 31st,
1853. The first members were Andrew Thompson, Lucretia Thompson, Cath-
arine Tallmadge, Cornelia Hasbrouck, Oliver Keese, sr., Josiah Keese, L. Keese,
Caleb B. Barton, Francis Barton, Elizabeth Q. Ames, Jane Granger, Mary El-
len Ames, William Twilger, Caroline Twilger, Robert Shelden, Sophia Shel-
den, John G. S. Moore, Ellen Moore, Harry Granger, Kate Rogers, Mary Rog-
ers, Francis Wiles, Charles M. Watson, Elizabeth Watson, Caroline Forsyth,
Mary Tabor, Julia O. Putnam and Susan Rogers. Following were the first
church officers : Wardens — Oliver Keese, sr., Andrew Thompson. Vestrymen
— Caleb D. Barton, James Rogers, Charles M. Watson, Joseph Parks, I. O.
Hasbrouck, Samuel Ames, Shakespeare Allen, Charles Allen. The first min-
ister was F. C. Putnam. The church edifice was consecrated by William
Crosswell Doane, S. T. D., Bishop of Albany, July 28th, 1874. The land was
donated by Oliver Keese, sr., and A. Thompson. The rectors have been F. C.
Putnam, R. C. Trivette, W. H. Cook, Charles A. Bragdon, William L. Bull. G.
D. Adams is the present rector.
Port Kent. — The vicinity of what was afterward named Port Kent was settled
early in the century, as already recorded. It is a hamlet situated in the north-
east part of the town on Lake Champlain and at one period was the center of
522 History of Essex County.
prominent industries and a great shipping point of lumber and other products
for a large extent of territory lying to the westward. Among those who have
been most prominent in the building up and business prosperity of Port Kent,
the Watson family are conspicuous. Elkanah Watson was born in Plymouth,
Mass. His wife, Rachel Smith, was a native of Norton, in the same State ;
they were married in 1784. In the year 1820 Mr. Watson, his wife and one
child removed to Chesterfield and settled on the site of Port Kent, where he
subsequently erected the large stone mansion, which has ever since been a
sightly and well known landmark on the high shore of the lake. Mr. Watson
was a man of broad views, enlightened intelligence and with a large knowledge
of public affairs. He was intimately associated with many of the prominent
men of Revolutionary times, traveled extensively in Europe and stood with his
foot on the step of George the Third's throne when that monarch declared the
United Colonies to be free and independent. He was for some time an attache
of the diplomatic mission of John Adams. Returning to this country he first
settled in Pittsfield, Mass., and then came to Port Kent, as stated. He is said
to have been the first to suggest the feasibility of constructing a water-way to
unite the lakes in the eastern part of the State with the Atlantic. One of the
acts of his life of which he was proud to speak, was the founding of several ag-
ricultural societies in various localities, one of them being in Berkshire, Mass. ;
and he was a man who was in advance of his time in most matters of general
importance. He became an extensive land owner, and died in Port Kent on
the 5th of December, 1842. He had seven children, prominent among whom
were Charles M. and Winslow C. The former was born October 8th, 1799,
and was married to Elizabeth B. Shankland, at Port Kent, in December, 1850;
he died at the age of sixty-six in January, 1865 ; his widow now resides on
the old homestead at Port Kent.
Winslow C. Watson was born December 22d, 1 803, and died at the resi-
dence of his son,,W. C. Watson, on September 21st, 1884, at the age of eighty
years. The following sketch of his life is condensed from a published obituary: —
A portion of his boyhood was spent at his father's noble old residence in
Pittsfield, Mass. He read law with Chief Justice Ambrose Spencer and was
admitted to the bar in 1824 and practiced law in Plattsburg till 1833, when h^
was obliged to withdraw from his profession on account of ill health. Mr.
Watson's mind was essentially a legal one and he was considered by his con-
temporaries, such as A. C. Hand, John C. Spencer, George A. Simmons, Wm.
Kent, Judge Beckwith, Judge Ross and Judge Stetson, as the peer of any of
them, particularly as an equity lawyer. Mr. Watson removed from Plattsburg
to Manchester, Vt., where he was engaged in settling the affairs of his father-
in-law, Governor Richard Skinner, and in recovering his health, till the fall of
1840 when he removed to Port Kent and built his house on the bluff north of
that picturesque village, where he resided till he removed to the house of his
son in Plattsburg, ten weeks before his death.
Town of Chesterfield. 523
Mr. Watson was an earnest politician, and though a Democrat, sustained
Mr. Lincohi and the poHcy of a vigorous prosecution of the war.
Mr. Watson held many offices of trust. He was a Master in Chancery and
State Senator in Vermont, and a delegate from that State to the National
Democratic Convention of 1839, and from New York in 1848 and 1856, in all
of which he took a very prominent part. He was often a delegate to ecclesi-
astical meetings of the Presbyterian Church, of which church he was a member
and office-bearer for more than fifty years.
Mr. Watson was a member of the political party usually in the minority in
his district, and it was often said of him that had this fact been otherwise and
had ill health not driven him so early from the practice of the law, he would
have attained the highest positions officially and at the bar. But as these and
other circumstances turned him into the path of literature, it cannot be said
that they were for him unfortunate, as they furnished him with leisure to ac-
complish more for the literary world, we think it would be safe to say, than has
been achieved by any resident of Essex county or of the northern portion of
the State.
His contributions to the general history of the country have been great and
valuable. The Men and Times of the Revolution, The Pioneer History of the
Champlain Valley, The Survey of Essex County, N. Y., The History of Essex
County, N. Y., and Military Annals of Crown Point and Ticonderoga were the
most conspicuous of his contributions to historical hterature.
But his agricultural and miscellaneous essays, his addresses before Free
Masons, which society he ranked before all other organizations except the
Christian religion, his addresses before agricultural societies, particularly before
the Essex County, N. Y., Agricultural Society, of which he was for many years
the president, and reports to the New York State Agricultural Society, of which
he was for a time a vice-president, his addresses before literary and scientific so-
cieties, and on funeral occasions, and before missionary and Bible societies, and
his contributions to the New York Observer, the New York World, this paper
for many years, all the county papers of both Clinton and Essex counties, and
numerous magazine articles on all sorts of topics, form a great mass of literary
matter, which would fill several large volumes, and most of which have been
preserved and may, in connection with the historical works first nientioned, be
some day republished.
Mr. Watson was thrice married and leaves no widow and but two sons,
Richard S. Watson, of Port Kent, Winslow C. Watson, of Plattsburg, and two
daughters, Mrs. Henry N. Hewitt and Mrs. Luther Whitney, of Keeseville.
In 1822 Elkanah Watson, John Cramer, Jonathan H. Douglas, Amos W.
Barnum, J. Sherman, Robert Hoyle and James Pilling, all early residents of
the town, formed a company to build a wharf at Port Kent, which was accom-
plished, and the road to Keeseville was much improved about that time. The
524 History of Essex County.
place was named by Mr. Watson soon after his location there, in honor of
Chancellor Kent. (See later pages.) When the Champlain canal was opened
the lumber traffic received a wonderful impetus, and the shipping from this
port was enormous ; a period of great business activity succeeded, and it
seemed that the place might attain a good deal of importance. The steamers
of the lake touched here and a ferry boat, the " Gen. Green," ran across the
lake. Colonel Charles Watson built a brick store, and a mercantile business
was established by Gilson & Grant.
Liberty B. Branch, who has lived here since 1842, gives the following rem-
iniscences of the port : The brick store built by Mr. Watson was occupied
for a time by B. H. Estes. He carried on several occupations, rectified cider,
made matches, and worked up quite a trade in the " black sand " as it was
called (a mixture of fine iron ore and sand found on the lake beach) which he
sold for blotting purposes before blotting paper came into use. In the winter
of 1840-41 he built a canal boat on which he transported his goods to New
York. He was succeeded in the store by Mr. Watson and later by Smith &
Walker. Albert Rice traded there for about ten years and was the last mer-
chant in that store.
Mr. Estes opened a store in the building beside the brick structure still
standing, at the time Rice was in the brick store, where he sold groceries and
medicines, the latter to some extent of his own manufacture. He died in Port
Kent about 1865 ; his widow now lives in Brooklyn. This store was subse-
quently occupied by Moses L. Gale and later by B. B. Farnham and C. D.
Sawyer. The latter remained there till 1879, when he built the new store on
the hill.
Peter Comstock kept a store on Bolivar street for nearly five years, after
whom George Wells kept it ; the building was removed to make way for the
lecture room.
In 1842 Oswald Brewster kept a hotel on the corner now occupied by
Benjamin Burland ; the old house is the one now occupied by Mr. Burland as
a dwelling. Another tavern was kept by Lyman Colvin near the wharf ; he
was followed by Benjamin Miner and he by Wells & Hayes ; it then passed
into the hands of Melchor Hoffiiagle ; it is now unused. In 1844 or 1845 the
hotel now kept by Horatio Burroughs was built for a grocery by David Ever-
ett, who occupied it for a short time. Horace Burroughs first opened the
tavern and was succeeded by his son. The Branch House was built by L.
B. Branch in 1875 and has since been enlarged. It was leased 'o E. B.
Sprague in the beginning of 1885, has been refitted and is a pleasant and well
kept house. Mr. Eggleston kept a tavern in what is now one of the oldest
buildings in the place, on the corner of Sable and Lake streets.
In 1842 John Tenant did the blacksmithing for the place ; he has been suc-
ceeded by L. B. Branch and B. B. Farnham, the present one. Ebenezer Hub-
Town of Chesterfield. 525
bard, Mr. Sibley, and Joseph Baker have done the shoemaking for Port Kent
since that date. Mr. Branch, who is now justice of the peace, has held that
office to the eminent satisfaction of the community for thirty-two consecutive
years.
A district school flourished here when Mr. Branch came, and about 1845
the old building was burned and the present structure erected on its foundations.
The church here was erected in 1840 or 1841, and services have been held
with tolerable regularity since, generally once in two weeks. Rev. Mr. Rob-
bins served the people last and since 1884 there have been no services.
The following proceedings and correspondence will be of interest in con-
nection with the erection of this church : —
" At a meeting of the trustees on the 17th of December, 1840, it was unan-
imously resolved, that whereas, the village of Port Kent was named in honor
of Chancellor Kent, of New York, and
" Whereas, The inhabitants thereof are about erecting an edifice for public
worship, therefore
" Resolved, That Chancellor Kent be respectfully requested to contribute
toward the erection of the said edifice.
"Resolved, That the chairman and secretary of the board of trustees be di-
rected to transmit to the honorable chancellor a copy of the above resolutions.
" Signed, HORACE Saxton, Chairman."
The above resolutions were enclosed in a letter from C. M. Watson, ad-
dressed to Chancellor Kent as follows : —
" Port Kent, December 17th, 1840.
" Dear Sir : —
" Enclosed I have the honor of transmitting to you the resolutions adopted
by the board of trustees appointed by the inhabitants of this village for build-
ing a house of worship. Our place being yet small and not very wealthy, we
are compelled to seek assistance abroad to enable us to erect a church worthy
of the beautiful and commanding site on which it will be placed. We feel
persuaded that as this village will hereafter be associated with a name distin-
guished in the annals of our State and country, that you will be gratified to
render us your aid.
" Permit me to tender you my sentiments of respect and personal consid-
ertion.
" Signed CHARLES M. Watson.
"To the Hon. jAMES KENT."
To which the following reply was received from Chancellor Kent, enclosing
a check for fifty dollars : —
" Dear Sir : —
"I received your favor of the 17th inst. yesterday on my return from Bos-
ton, and I annex the above check, which I presume can be cashed at any of
526 History of Essex County.
the northern banks, and I intend it for the trustees for erecting an edifice for
rehgious worship in the village of Port Kent. If I was to consider myself
under any pecuniary obligations for the name given to the village, it would
rather be to Elkanah Watson, esq., the early founder and patron of the place,
for I presume the inhabitants now living there, and the religious congregation
know nothing or care pothing about the origin of the name of the village. As
you are a son, and a very respectable son, of the worthy and distinguished
Mr. Watson, I give this small token of mj- regard for his wishes for the pros-
perity of the place. Yours respectfully,
"James Kent.
"New York, December 26th, 1840."
The post-office has. been in existence here since the place assumed any
importance. In 1842 James Dickinson was postmaster, and was followed by
L. B. Branch in 1848. He was succeeded by C. P. Allen about 1880. The
office is now managed by Mrs. Sawyer.
The hamlet of Port Kent was nearly as large and much more active in
1842 than at the present time. The decline in the lumber business, the ship-
ment from the interior by rail from Ausable Forks and other points, and ether
natural causes, have tended to stop the growth of the place. Hundreds of
tourists, however, find it the gateway to what is one of the most interesting
parts of the great wilderness — the Ausable chasm — giving the port con-
siderable life in the summer months. Wallace's excellent Guide to the Adiron-
dacks gives the following table of distances from Keeseville to various well-
known wilderness resorts : —
From Keeseville to Martin's via Keene Valley, 50 miles.
" Wilmington Pass, 45
" FrankUn Falls, 46
toVanArnam's " " 51 "
to Paul Smith's " " 48
There is a daily line of easy-riding four-horse coaches, during the summer
travel, from Port Kent to all these points.
Birmingham Falls (post-office Ausable Chasm). — This settlement is
located on the Ausable river at the entrance to the chasm and about two miles
from Port Kent. The post-office was established here in 1876 under the name
of " Ausable Chasm," and Joshua Appleyard is postmaster. He also keeps a
store. This has always been a point of considerable manufacturing impor-
tance, and the early settlements and milling industries here have been partially
described. In 1842 Goulding& Park built a paper-mill ; but the firm became
embarrassed and suspended operations in 1863, and the property passed into
the hands of Adgate & Spencer; George Adgate carried on the business until
his death in 1879, when the administrator carried it on. It was afterward
burned. The present mill was first operated by the company now in charge
Town of Chesterfield. 527
of it — C. W. Rich & Co. It was built by H. H. Vanaranum and C. W. Rich
at a cost of $18,000. Its capacity is four tons of straw wrapping-paper each
twenty-four hours, and employs fourteen hands night and day. The present
value of the property is $25,000.
A pulp- mill is located here, of which Frederick Parks is proprietor. It is
owned in Troy.
In 1840 Edmund and Jacob Kingsland, who had carried on a foundry
business at the falls on the Boquet, built a forge of six fires at Birmingham,
where the rolling-mill now stands. In 1847 the firm of E. & J. D. Kingsland
& Company was formed and bought the Keeseville Manufacturing Company
consolidating the two. A very heavy business was then done. The rolling-
mill was rebuilt, fifty horse-nail machines were put in operation, and sixty tons
of nails made per week. In 1852 they built the rolling-mill at Birmingham.
Depression in the iron interest caused a temporary suspension of the works in
1862. The entire machinery of the works and the nail factory were sold to
the Burlington Manufacturing Company, who dismantled the establishment.
The Ausable Chasm Horse-Nail Works were erected in 1876-77 and
owned by W. M. Mooney & Co. This establishment is closed to visitors and
the workmen pledged to secrecy regarding its affairs. H. Estes is superin-
tendent. The capacity of the works is about two tons per day. Eighty hands
are employed.
We have already alluded to the Lake View House at this point, which will
be found a pleasant place for tourists to stop when visiting the chasm and
other points.
Port Douglass. — This was formerly an important shipping point for lum-
ber, situated six miles south of Port Kent. It is also said to be the first point
from which a ferry-boat ran across the lake. The boat was the " Lady Wash-
ington," and ran to Burlington, Vt. One of the first stores in the town was
opened here. Norman Winter, who located here in about the year 18 16,
found a few families settled in the vicinity. Curtis Holgate and Asaph Leavitt
were here about the same time. Mr. Colvin says : " Curtis Holgate moved to
Port Douglass in 18 17, and built a wharf and a stone house about twenty feet
wide and thirty feet long. He got a road laid out from there to Keeseville
and did considerable towards making the road. He built a saw-mill about a
quarter of a mile from the wharf, and a tavern." The place has now no com-
mercial importance.
Port Kendall is another former shipping point of some importance, ten
miles south of Port Kent. The only interest of any account there now is the
shipment of pulp-wood to Ticonderoga or Glens Falls. Early in the century
the father of Levi Higby built a saw-mill in the gorge where the iron railway
bridge stands. These ports, like many others on the lake, were created by
the immense lumber traffic of years ago, and with the decline of that business
they necessarily fell into stagnation.
528 History of Essex County.
In about the year 1825 a furnace was started in the northern part of the
town near Port Kendall, by Levi Higby, Joseph Goldwin and a Mr. Drury.
They operated it a short time when Drury went out, Higby sold his interest
to a Mr. Smith, and the works were soon closed. The property passed into the
possession of W. D. Ross soon after the business was begun. The furnace was
subsequently operated under the superintendence of Mr. Drury. Levi Higby,
who owned large interests in the vicinity, afterward leased the furnace prop-
erty and operated it till about 1 830, when it was again closed. It was sub-
sequently changed to a forge, and was owned and operated by Jacob L. Bean
and Albert G. Forbes till about 1865. It was then abandoned and soon went
into decay.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SCHROON.l
THE town of Schroon was formed from Crown Point on March 20th, 1804.
The town of Minerva was taken off on the 7th of March, 1817, and a
part re-annexed to Crown Point February 26th, 1840. It lies near the center
of the south border of the county and is bounded north by the town of North
Hudson ; east by Crown Point and Ticonderoga ; south by Warren county and
the town of Minerva, and west by Minerva. The surface of the town is ex-
ceedingly diversified and picturesque. In the southeast part it is mountain-
ous, portions of the Kayaderosseras range extending into that section, and the
west and northwest portions are occupied by the Schroon range. Between
these elevated regions and extending across the town nearly in its center is a
beautiful and fertile valley, through which flows the waters of the Schroon river,
which, near the center of the town, broadens out into the lovely Schroon lake,
which reaches across the southern line of the town. Of the mountain peaks
in the town Mount Pharaoh is the highest ; it is located in the southeast part
and is about 3,000 feet above tide. There are many other lesser peaks which
have only local names or none at all. The principal stream is the Schroon
1 This town derives its name from the lovely lake which it embraces. The legend is that the
lake was visited by the French in their military expeditions and in fishing and hunting excursions from
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and was named by them Scarron, in honor of the widow Scarron, the
celebrated Madame Maintenon, of the reign of Louis XIV. Rogers mentions Schoon creek which
was crossed in marching between Fort Edward and Lake George. The islands of this lake afford
sites for elegant and retired villas and country seats, unsurpassed by the waters of Cumberland and
Westmoreland, in picturesque beauty and romantic seclusion. It has also been claimed, but with-
out very good authority, that the name has an Indian origin, signifying ^ child or daughter of the
mountain.
Town of Chesterfield. • 529
river, which forms a portion of the upper waters of the noble Hudson. There
are numerous creeks of clear water that rise in the elevated part of the town
and flow into the many picturesque lakes and ponds which are scattered
throughout the town. The largest of these are Paradox lake,i in the north-
eastern part, the waters of which empty into the Schroon ; Pharaoh lake in
the southeast part at the foot of Mount Pharaoh, the waters flowing by way of
a small brook into Schroon lake ; Crane pond, Crab pond. Goose pond, Whor-
tleberry pond. Spectacle pond. Pyramid lake, Thurman pond, Rogers pond,
and others of minor importance. These natural features render the locality a
favorite resort of sportsmen, and within a few years past the beauties of Schroon
lake and vicinity have led to the erection of many first-class hotels, where
pleasure-seekers and others in quest of recuperation of health, find summer
homes offering unsurpassed attractions.
The soil of the town is in the valleys of a rich alluvial character, and in the
elevated parts a thin sandy loam. Nearly one-half of the town is capable of
cultivation, though perhaps not more than one-third can be successfully and
profitably worked. Iron ore is found in various parts but not in sufficient pu-
rity and abundance to make its working profitable ; black lead or graphite is
also found. This town was settled about the year 1797, at which period Sam-
uel Scribner, Moses Pettee, Thomas Leland, Simeon Rawson, Benjamin Bow-
ker and other pioneers came in and began the work of making for themselves
and posterity homes in the wilderness.
Simeon Rawson located previous to the year 1800 about a mile above
Schroon Lake village, on the place now occupied by Seneca Rawson. He came
from Shrewsbury, Vt. He established soon after his arrival a small tannery,
the first, and, for many years, the only one in the town. This he carried on in
connection with his other labor until about 1818, when he removed to the site
of the village at the lake and located his tannery there. His sons were Clark,
Simeon, Safford and Josiah. Ashley P. Rawson, of Schroon Lake, is a
grandson.
The valley lands in this town were opened to settlement at an early day,
one of the incentives to which was the construction of what has become known
as the old State road, to which we have often alluded, and which ran from
Sandy Hill northward to the Canada line, passing along the Schroon valley.
Another early highway that benefited the town was that constructed between
1840 and 184s, running from Lake Champlain to Carthage in Jefferson county,
and passing through Schroon.
Other' settlers came in almost simultaneously with Mr. Rawson. Samuel
Scribner located about two miles north of the site of Schroon Lake village, and
1 The surface of this lake is so near the level of the Schroon river, which forms its outlet, that in
seasons of high vi'ater, the flovif is into the lake, instead of out of it ; hence its appropriate name.
34
530 History of Essex County.
Moses Pettee in the same vicinity, on the State road, on the farm now occu-
pied by Edward Lockwood.
Joseph Wyman settled near the falls of the Schroon early in the century ;
his brother John also located here and they had a distillery there in early days.
A son of Joseph Wyman now lives in Crown Point.
Benajmin Bowker, one of the earliest settlers, located on the State road,
first on the site of the present Pickhardt place and then removed to about three
miles north of the site of Schroon Lake village. He had one son who lived and
died near the old Baptist church ; his name was also Benjamin. Two other
sons, Charles and John, came into the town, but subsequently removed to
Shoreham. There were three or four daughters in the family.
Elijah Garfield settled on the east side of the river, about two miles from
the lake ; he was one of the first settlers and had two sons, Selucius and Le-
man, who lived and died in the town. The former has two sons living in the
town. Jackson Garfield, who lives on or near the old homestead, is a grand-
son.
George Moor was among the earliest settlers and located on the Schroon
flats, near the river. Elijah M. Rounds now occupies that farm.
George Whitney settled early about five miles south of the site of Schroon
Lake village, on the lake shore. Two of his sons, George and Ira, now live in
the village.
Cornelius Travers settled on the site of South Schroon. He came from
Duchess county and died on his homestead, leaving descendants in the town.
Jeremiah Lockwood, who was born March 2 1st, 1764, settled on the site
of the old Lockwood tavern about 18 10, coming from Lanesboro, Mass. He
built his first house in 181 1, and the next one in 1827, where he opened a tav-
ern which was for many years and down to about the breaking out of the late
war, a popular house. The place is now occupied by WUiam Fullen. His sons
were Leander J. Clark, Abel D. and Jeremiah, jr. Linus C. Lockwood, now
living north of Schroon Lake village is a son of Clark.
EHhu Griswold, familiarly known to old residents as " Deacon " Griswold,
settled early in the century at what has been called Alder Meadow. He was
a man of intelligence and married the widow of Mr. Grosvenor who was
drowned in Paradox lake in a bay which has since borne his name. One of
his daughters married Hiram H. Smith, a prominent man in the community,
who lives on the homestead. John Wiswell was also an early settler in this
neighborhood.
Thomas Leland was one of the prominent early settlers and located where
George Whitney now lives ; he engaged in farming and lumbering. He had
two sons, one of whom died young ; the other is J. M. Leland, now keeping a
drug store in Schroon Lake village.
Wolcott Tyrrell came into the town soon after the beginning of the century
Town of Chesterfield. 531
with his father, Benajah Tyrrell, and located about two miles south of the site
of Schroon Lake village, where Charles Bowker now lives. He had three sons,
who reside in the town, was a prominent citizen and held the office of first
judge for a number of years.
Among other very early settlers were : Benjamin Barnes, who located near
South Schroon, where his grandson, Benjamin O., now lives. James Tubbs
settled on Paradox lake and his brother Enoch near by. Jabez Smith located
in the southwest part, and Ebenezer Bailey, a Revolutionary soldier and pen-
sioner, at South Schroon. William Armistead settled at the foot of the lake
and raised a large family ; they all removed to Ohio. Starr Piatt came into
the town in 18 14, and located where Mrs. Erastus Root now lives, north of
Schroon Lake village. He had four children, a daughter becoming the wife of
Erastus Root and now occupying the homestead. His father was Jabez Piatt
who came in from Lanesboro, Mass. Adjoining the farm of Starr Piatt Hved
Daniel Piatt.
We cannot trace the record of early settlers farther, except as they may
appear in describing the industries of the town. Those already named com-
prised most of the prominent pioneers who came here when the country was
an unbroken wilderness and amid untold hardships and arduous toils, laid the
foundations of their future prosperous homes and an intelligent community.
As the settlements increased additional roads were laid out, mills were built on
the numerous streams wherever there was water power, schools were estab-
lished and religious meetings and societies organized. The first school was
taught soon after settlement began by Clark Rawson, son of Simeon Rawson,
about one and a half miles north of the present Schroon Lake village. This
was a primitive educational institution, but it paved the way for the numerous
neat school-houses that now give excellent privileges to the young of the town.
A saw- mill was built at an early day at the foot of Paradox lake by Joseph
Richards, and a grist-mill not long afterward by David Stowell. The saw-mill
subsequently passed into the hands of Charles Harris and Joseph Weed, the
latter of Ticonderoga, and one of the heaviest lumbermen in the county. Both
of these mills are long since gone down. Most of the town was originally
covered with a heavy forest growth, and in common with the early settlers of
all this region, the inhabitants turned their attention largely to lumbering as
the readiest means of both clearing up their lands and securing a prompt re-
turn for their labor before -agriculture could be extensively followed. The
lumber interest in this town began to be considerably developed as early as
1820 and soon assumed paramount importance. Logs were cut in great num-
bers and driven down the river through the lake and thus to Glens Falls and
Sandy Hill, for manufacture into lumber. Many mills, as we have said, were
also built on the various streams of the town and large quantities of lumber
were sawed and transported to market ; but these mills soon declined in im-
532 History of Essex County.
portance through the wholesale driving of logs, which robbed them of business,
and nearly all of them have been long abandoned. There were mills at Alder
Meadow, Crane pond, Paradox lake. Long pond. A steam mill is now run-
ning at South Schroon and at Schroon Lake. The lumber interest reached its
height from about 1830 to 1845. At the present time by far the larger share
of the valuable timber of the town is cut off, although many logs have been
run down the river in recent years, from the forests farther to the north and
west.
Attempts have been made to work the iron ores that are found to some
extent in the town and more abundantly in the adjoining town of Crown Point.
A forge was built before 1830 at the Schroon falls, by Horace Hall. This was
worked on ore brought from the Paradox district and the product transported
to market via Crown Point. Of the^Schofield ore bed, which was opened by Mr.
Hall in 1828, we find the following description in Watson's History of Essex
County : " Bar iron was at that time made in the Schroon forge from the ore
of this mine, which was worked by various proprietors until 1845, when oper-
ations were suspended. An average of two hundred tons of iron was made
during the above period, which established and maintained the highest char-
acter in the market. . . . The ore yields fifty per cent, of iron of the first
class. The vein is only from three to four feet in thickness and has been
worked about two hundred and fifty feet in length and from twenty to sixty
feet in depth." This bed was worked as late as 1870 by John Roth and the
ore used in his forges in Schroon with success.
The Skiff bed lies about t\yo miles from Paradox lake and was opened by
A. P. Skiff in the year 1857. It subsequently passed to the possession of Mr.
Roth. The general character of the ore is similar to that of the Schofield bed,
but the vein is small and was never worked with very much profit, although
many thousand dollars were expended in developing it in the belief that the
vein would widen out.
What was known as the " head of Paradox forge" was built in 1864 and
owned by John Roth. It first contained two fires but a third was introduced.
The charcoal for its operation was burned in pits at the forge and the ore was
taken from the vein last above described, producing an excellent quality of
iron, but at such cost including transportation, that it soon became unprofitable
as prices declined.
The manufacture of leather in large tanneries has received considerable
attention in the town and for several years was a predominant industry in
Schroon, Minerva, and North Hudson. The vast hemlock forests furnished
unlimited quantities of bark and compensated thus for the transportation of
hides and leather to and from the tanneries. Schroon Lake tannery was erected
in 1852 by Lorenzo Hall and subsequently became the property of Milton
Sawyer, of Glens Falls. It was situated on a small brook about a mile west of
Town of Chesterfield. 533
Schroon lake. Its capacity was sixteen thousand sides a year. It is not now in
operation. The Schroon tannery was erected in 1861 at the mouth of the
brook just mentioned, by William C. Potter and Daniel Wyman. It passed
through various hands before it was closed. Wickham tannery was built at
the mouth of the same stream and was operated by Benjamin Wickham chiefly
for the manufacture of upper leather. Hoffman tannery, six miles west of
Mr. Sawyer's Schroon Lake tannery, was built in 185.6 by Bracket & Boyle and
passed into possession of Mr. Sawyer. There have been other tanning opera-
tions in the town and vicinity, which, perhaps, need not be detailed ; the in-
difstry is declining, with the others that have depended upon the forests for
their prosperity, while the inhabitants are turning more of their attention and
energy from year to year to agriculture.
No event of great importance has disturbed the peace and general pros-
perity of the town, other than the great civil strife of i860, the deplorable con-
sequences of which reached every hamlet in the country. This town was called
upon to contribute her men and means to the support of the government in
the day of strife and nobly responded, as the reader has already learned from
the chapter devoted to the military record of the county.
The population of the town is now slowly increasing and with the near ap-
proach of railroads, the large annual influx of summer tourists and the sure
beneficence of extended and more successful farming, its future growth is as-
sured.
The " warning " for the first town meeting for the division of the town, i. e.,
setting it off from Crown Point, designated the house of Israel Johnson as
the place for the gathering to be held and the first Tuesday in April, 1804, as
the date. The object of the meeting as expressed in the records was " to see
if the inhabitants wishes to be divided into two towns, and do any other business
thought necessary." The call was signed by Benjamin Pond, justice, Elijah
Garfield, Daniel Cushman, Augustus Cleaveland, Samuel Scribner, and Sim-
eon Rawson. Among the names which appear prominent in the public records
of those days (some of them, doubtless, belonging in what is now Minerva as
that was then a part of Schroon) are Israel Johnson, Wolcott Tyrrell, Mijah
Smith, Joseph Dunn, Benjamin Pond, William Hill, Deodorus Holcomb, and
others. Elijah Garfield was the first town clerk and the neatness and precision
of the town record testifies to his intelligence and expertness.
At the first town meeting it was voted, among other matters, that " any
sheep ram found on the commons from the tenth of November to the first of
December, shall be forfeit to the taker up of s'd ram."
At the meeting in 1809 it was voted " that the poor money be hired out
for the benefit of purchasing a Merino ram." This indicates an early interest
in blooded stock.
It was also voted early in the history of the town " that it shall be counted
534 History of Essex County.
an honorable act for any Man to complain of any Man that makes havoc of
the Deer contrary to law in this town." Eight dollars were voted as a bounty
for killing wolves. The first two town meetings were held at the house of
Israel Johnson and the next one at Thomas Leland's. In the old records the
town is set down as " Scaroon." Among other names that seem to bear some
prominence in the early records are those of Edmund Jincks, James Swinner-
ton, Nathan West, Samuel Norton, Jed. Halliday, Abial and Albro Tripp,
John Baker, and others. In 1813 the town comprised seven school districts.
By the year 1820, after the separation of Minerva from it, we find the follow-
ing names among those holding office and otherwise appearing prominent in
the records : Elisha Baker, David Stowell, Wolcott Tyrrell, Benjamin Barnes,
James Tubbs, Jabez Smith, Wm. B. Everest, Ebenezer Bailey, Samuel Whitte-
more, Wm. Armistead, etc. (We have followed the spelling of these names
as it appears in the records.)
The first officers elected in the town were as follows : —
Supervisor, Benjamin Pond ; town clerk, Elijah Garfield ; assessors, Albro
Tripp, John Toms and Nathan B. Johnson ; collectors, Diadorus Holcomb and
George Moore ; commissioners of highways, Elijah Barnes, Thomas Leland
and Joseph Dunn ; overseer of the poor, George Moore and James Hough-
ton ; constables, Diadorus Holcomb, John Potter, Augustus Cleveland and
Elisha Baker ; fence viewers, Randall Farr, Israel Johnson, James Swinnerton
and Cornelius Traver.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from the date of its
formation to the present time, with their terms of service : 1804, Benjamin
Pond; 1805 to 1808 inclusive, Joseph Dunn; 1809, Salmasius Bordwell ;
1810, Mijah Smith; 1811, Israel Johnson; 1812 to 1818 inclusive, Wolcott
Tyrrell; 1819, John Baker, jr.; 1820, Wolcott Tyrrell; 1821 and 1822,
Elihu Phelps; 1823 to 1825 inclusive, John Baker, jr.; 1826, Clark Rawson ;
1827 to 1832 inclusive, Wolcott Tyrrell; 1833 to 1836 inclusive, Hiram Wil-
son; 1837, Clark Rawson; 1838 to 1840 inclusive, Abijah Smith, jr.; 1841,
Clark Rawson; 1842, Abijah Smith, jr.; 1843 to 1845 inclusive, Clark Raw-
son ; 1846 and 1847, Daniel Pratt; 1848 and 1849, Erastus B. Potter; 1850,
Andrew L. Ireland; 1851 and 1852, William J. Hayward ; 1853, Barton
Baker; 1854 and 1855, Daniel Pratt; 1856 and 1857, Ryla Tyrrell ; 1858 to
i860 inclusive, Joel F. Potter; 1861, William J. Hayward; 1862, Cyrus L.
Blanchard ; 1863, J- M. Leland ; 1864, Joel F. Potter; 1865 and 1866, James
M. Leland ; 1867 to 1869 inclusive, Benjamin F\ Wickham ; 1870 and 1871,
Benijah Tyrrell ; 1872 to 1874 inclusive, Freeman N. Tyrrell ; 1875, Paris S.
Russell; 1876 and 1877, WiUiam J. Leland; 1878, W. G. Leland; 1879,
Myron C. Pitkins ; 1880, William G. Leland; 1881 and 1882, Benjamin F.
Wickham; 1883 and 1884, Darwin L. Weeks; 1885, Myron C. Pitkins.
Following are the present officers of the town : Supervisor, M. C. Pitkins ;
Town of Chesterfield. 535
town clerk, William H. Barnett ; assessor, John F. Young ; overseer of the
poor, Benjamin O. Barnes ; commissioner of highways, C. M. Warren ; col-
lector, J. D. Burwejl ; justices, W. E. Rooney, A. S. Nichols, James O. Whit-
ney, S. Reynolds; constables, Darius C. Burzee, Elijah Smith, Darius Hill,
L. J. Garfield, C. C. Swain ; inspectors of election, Charles H. Knox, L. D.
Young ; commissioner of excise, H. H. Smith ; game constable, Alexander
Bostwick ; auditor, Orrin Harris.
Churches. — It is quite common to find that the Methodist Episcopal
Society secures organization and a religious foothold in new communities in
advance of other sects. Such was the case in this town. The Cambridge
Circuit, as it is called, was formed early in the century and included parts of
the present town of Schroon. Daniel Bromley was the first preacher. He
was succeeded by a Mr. Bull, Lewis Pease and George W. Densmore. Meet-
ings were then held either in private houses or the little school-houses. In
1809 the circuit was divided, and Schroon included in the Warren Circuit.
Revs. Lansford Whiting, Mr. Pierce, Tobias Spicer, Elijah Hibbard, Daniel J.
Wright and Sherman Miner were the preachers here until 1818. Daniel Bray-
ton then came and with others filled the time to 1825. Then followed Joseph
Eames and Jacob Beeman, 1826-27; Nathan Rice, 1827-28; Merritt Bates,
1828—29; Seymour Colman, 1829-30, and re-appointed; Joseph McCreery,
1831-32, and re-appointtd ; Reuben Wescott, 1833-34; William Richards,
1835-36, and re-appointed; in 1837 the circuit was permanently divided a,nd
the Schroon Circuit formed. From 1837 to 1841 Benjamin Pomeroy was the
pastor; Ezra Sayre, 1841-42; Jedediah Burnham, 1843-44, and re-appointed;
Joseph Conor, 1845-46; Chester Lyon, 1847-48; Samuel Hughes, 1849-50;
Gideon Townsend, 1851-52; D. E. Noble, 1853; Daniel Rose, 1854-55;
Caleb Stevens, 1856—57; in the last mentioned year Schroon was made to
constitute the circuit, and J. B. Searle was the pastor for 1858-59; J. F.
Crowl, 1860-61; D. W. Gould , 1861-62; A. Robbins, 1863-64; W. W.
Foster, 1865-66; G. S. Gold, 1867-68; Alfred Eaton, 1869-70.
The first class was formed at South Schroon in 181 1, and others soon fol-
lowed at Paradox and " Charley Hill." In December, 1834, the society at
Schroon Lake was incorporated as "The First M. E. Church of Schroon," at
the Baker street school-house. The first trustees were B. S. Warren, Thomas
Leland and B. R. Seaman. The first church was at once erected near the
present burying-ground and occupied until 1853, when it was taken down and
removed to the village at a cost of $1,435. I" ^'^^7 it was refitted and fur-
nished at a cost of $550. In 1841 an acre of land adjoining the church was
purchased at a cost of $60 for a parsonage, which was built during the same
year. From the year 1870 to the present time the pastors have been as fol-
lows: 1871, J. S. Mott, to 1873; 1874, E. Potter; 1875-76, R. Patterson;
1877, William H. Groat ; 1878, Mr. Spencer; 1879, M. Adsit; 1880-81, C. J.
536 History of Essex County.
Mott; 1882-83, A. V. Marshall; 1884, G. H. Van Dusen ; 1885, H. M.
Munsee. The present church officers are — Trustees, J. M. Leland, H. J. Cul-
ver, D. Hill, H. H. Smith. Stewards — James M. Leland, recording steward ;
Hoel Richards. Class leaders — J. M. Leland, Elijah Rounds, E. Warren.
The church includes classes at Paradox, South Schroon, Charley Hill and
Hoffinann's. At these places services are held in school-houses.
Episcopal Church. — The Episcopal Church of Schroon Lake was organ-
ized November 12th, 1878, the first members being Bayard Clarke, Jacob
Bohrmann, Freeman Tyrrell, John Taylor, Joseph Bogle, Joel F. Potter, Ben-
jamin Tripp, Jarvis Abey, Mr. Benjamin, John Lapierre, Nathaniel Jenks,
Bayard Clarke, jr. The first pastor was Aubrey F. Todrig. He was suc-
ceeded by Dr. Williams, W. A. H. Maybin, and the present pastor, Rev. Henry
A. Freeman. The church edifice was erected in 1878 at a cost of $600. It
was afterwards enlarged, a tower, chancel and vestry added and a bell put in ;
also refurnished. The present value of the church property is about $1,500.
A Sunday-school was organized in 1878, of which B. Squires and John Taylor
have been superintendents. The first wardens were Bayard Clarke and Effing-
ham H. Nichols. The latter holds the office at the present time. The vestry-
men are John Taylor, Benjamin Tripp, Jacob Bohrmann, Bayard Clarke, jr.,
Augustus Bogle and Orren Taylor.
Congregational Church. — The first Congregational Church of Schroon
Lake, was organized in 1829, with the following persons as members: Abijah
Smith, Jedediah Rice, Solomon Stebbins, Caroline Rawson, Lois Dresser, Lois
Rice, Stebbins, Margaret Crocker, Mary Boyd, Abigail Wyman, Minerva
Smith, Alvira Stebbins, Lavina Glynn. The first pastor was Rev. Reuben
Willoughby. The church edifice was erected about the year 1846, at a cost
with land of about $3,000. A Sunday-school was organized, of which Marcus
Knapp is the present superintendent. The first deacon was J. Rice, and he
has been succeeded by the following: Charles Churchill, 1830; Abijah Smith,
1833; Asa Foster, 1833; Marcus Knapp, 1 87 1 ; Joseph E. Sawyer, 1876';
George M. Sawyer, 1877. The following have served the church as pastors:
Rev. Reuben Willoughby, one-third of the time in 1 830; Rev. Thomas
Haswell, ten months in 1840; Rev. Frederic Graves, one-half the time for one
year, 1841 ; Rev. Sorel Wood, in 1845; R^v. Taylor, two-thirds of the
time for a few months in 1849; Rev. David Connell, 1857-1862; Rev. M.
Davis, a few months about 1865 ; Rev. D. H. Gould, 1871-1873 ; Rev. D. M.
Seward, D.D., summers of 1873 and 1874; Rev. D. T. Williams, a short time
in 1876; Rev. N. H. Bell, six months, 1877; Rev. George L. Dickinson,
commenced labor with the church, March, 1878; 1878-1885, supplied only
in summer by various ministers. The church is supplied during the summer
of 1885 by the Rev. J. E. McConnell. The present trustees are Dwight C-
Pasco and Lansford Whitney. Deacons, Marcus Knapp, George W. Sawyer
and John H. Pitkin.
Town of Chesterfield. 537
Catholic. — The Catholic Church of this place was built in 1883, and a
society of considerable strength is maintained. Father Blanchard was the first
pastor in charge, and the church is now served by Father Le Grand, of
Minerva.
Baptist. — The old Baptist Church, about two miles north of the village,
was built in the year 1836 by the then existing society; this was the first
church society organized in the town, its date being 1830. Charles Harris,
one of the prominent lumbermen of that period, was largely instrumental in
the erection of this church. The society was dissolved many years ago, and
the church is only used for occasional funerals.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
We have already alluded to the settlement of Simeon Rawson about a mile
north of the site of Schroon Lake village, where he established a tannery, kept
a tavern, etc., in early days. Here also was established the first post-office
early in the century, and Mr. Rawson was the first postmaster. When he re-
moved to the lake in 1818, the office went with him and he was succeeded by
Safford Rawson in the position of postmaster ; the latter was in the office in
1830 and it continued in the family until 1840. The next official was Gay W.
Lee, who kept it in part of his store. Craig Beebe succeeded him and he was
followed for a short period by Abram Van Benthuysen. In the spring of
1853 Ashley P. Rawson took the office for eight years (1861), when he was
succeeded by Carlos Bailey, and he by William C. Potter. Since then Theo-
dore Kinyon, John Taylor, Joel F. Potter and the present incumbent, John D.
Burwell, have conducted the office.
Abijah Smith, who has been mentioned as an early settler a little north of
the present village, sold goods in a part of his house and also kept an inn.
This was about the first mercantile business in the town. Horace Hall, who
has been spoken of as the builder of a forge, also kept a store there while he
continued to operate the forge ; this property was afterwards transferred to
Charles Harris. These stores were the principal ones in town for a number of
years. Later Ansel Chipman estabhshed a little trade at the foot of Paradox
lake and kept it a number of years. He sold to William Stowell and the business
was abandoned by him. The building was transformed into Potter's Hotel
now kept at that place.
The first store established at Schroon Lake village was run by Gay Wash-
ington Lee, who came here from Bridport, Vt. His place of business was in
the old Wickham House, which was originally built by a man named Crocker,
whose daughter was Lee's wife. Lee sold out his goods to Charles Harris
who removed the stock to Schroon Falls. The next merchant was James
"Fowler, who traded in what is now Taylor's shoe shop. J. M. Leland kept a
general store in the Wickham House more than forty years ago and after one
year removed into the building where Taylor's shoe shop is. He then built
538 History of Essex County.
on the lot adjoining Mr. Barnett's present store and remained there many
years. Josiah Rawson kept an early store on the site of the Ondawa House.
A store was established on the union plan where J. H. Pitkin & Brother are
now located many years ago, in which enterprise Hannibal Holden was con-
spicuous. William C. Potter was secured to conduct the store. After this
enterprise had its day, the store was occupied in turn by Whitney & Bogle,
Whitney & Mead, Philo Pitkin, Pitkin & Clute (M. C. Pitkin and W. Clute),
M. C. Pitkin & Co., and the present enterprising and successful firm, J. H. Pit-
kin & Brother. Pitkin & Taylor began business in a general store in March,
1864 (Lewis Pitkin and Robert Taylor). They succeeded Philo Pitkin and he
Clute & Smith, who built the store. William H. Barnett keeps a hardware
store, the only one in the place. He erected his own building and began trade
in 1881. In the jeweler's trade D. C. Bailey began in 1855 on the site of the
burned store. He occupied his present location in 1883. G. W. Taylor car-
ries on harness-making, having begun in 1883. The grist-mill here is opera-
ted by H. B. Drake and the steam saw-mill by W. S. Fowler. A furniture
store is kept by Myron C. Pitkin, and James M. Leland dispenses the drugs
that are needed by the inhabitants. J. Bohrmann has a furniture manufactory
and store a little out of the village.
Schroon Lake boasts several first-class hotels, the many guests of which
make the summer season one of activity and profit. Josiah Rawson built the
old Schroon Lake House many years ago on the site of the Ondawa House ;
it was the first tavern of any consequence in the place. Hiram Blanchard after-
wards bought the property and he sold to Paris Russell, a man who did much
during his comparatively short life, to advance the interests of the town. Mr.
Russell had a partner in John Conley, the latter conducting the house a short
time, when they erected the present commodious house. It was sold to John D.
Burwell, who has now kept it about fifteen years. The Leland House, one of the
largest and most attractive houses in this section, was built in 1872 by Will-
iam G. Leland, son of James M. Leland. It accommodates about two hundred
and twenty- five guests and was successfully conducted by the builder until
1884. It is now kept by Lorenzo Locke to the satisfaction of its large patron-
age. The Lake House was built in 1874 by Elisha Wickham, and was first
called the Wickham House. Harry T. Abey bought the property in 1876 and
has kept it since, making it a popular resort. It accommodates about one
hundred guests and is pleasantly situated. The Windsor House is the out-
growth of a building that was formerly kept for the accommodation of guests
by C. F. Taylor. He enlarged the house and kept it for a number of years.
William McKenzie and L. Y. Jenness kept it for about two years each and the
present proprietor, E. E. Hunter, took charge of it in 1884. Guests for these
houses are brought up the lake, if coming from the south, in the steamer Ef-
fittgham, which was built for Mr. Russell about six years ago.
Town of Chesterfield. 539
Other business interests in this vicinity are the blacksmith and carriage-
shop of L. C. Lockwood & Son, situated at the old Lockwood place before de-
scribed, where the pioneer, Jeremiah Lockwood, also had one of the first wag-
on-shops in the town, L. C. Lockwood made the first steel spring wagon in the
town, which was considered quite a curiosity. He also ran a clothing-mill at
the site of the Piatt homestead many years ago. H. C. Holden, son of Han-
nibal Holden, has a feed store north of the village, where he had a wagon-shop
for a number of years. Elijah Holden does blacksmithing.
Physicians. — In early years people were sick and needed the beneficent
care of the physician the same as in modern days ; and the country doctor of
pioneer times found a different task before him from that which employs his
more fortunate successors. His ride was often over two or three large towns
where roads were bad, even if there were any at all ; his patients were many
of them poor and his arduous labor often unrewarded. Dr. Hale practiced in
this town when the country was new and lived near the old Baptist Church.
He was drowned in Paradox lake. Dr. Harvey Page came here next and
practiced for many years. Dr. Tubbs practiced here for a time and went to
Chestertown. Dr. Pritchard settle.d below the village, and Dr. Hiram Potter,
who came from Clarendon, Vt.-, as a school teacher, though an educated phy-
sician, practiced for many years and is remembered as one of nature's noble-
men. The present physicians of the place are Dr. E. S. Bullis, who studied in
the University of Vermont and graduated from the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, Iowa. He came to Schroon. in 1885. Dr. D. Palmer studied at
Dartniouth and graduated from the university at Burlington, Vt. He came
to Schroon in 1869, but was away from 1874 to 1881.
The present school building of this village was erected in 1866. It consists
of three apartments, two school-rooms and a large hall above for school uses.
There are two departments in the school.
Masonic. — The Schroon Lake Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was
instituted September 6th, 1815. A brief sketch of the lodge will be found in
chapter twenty-sixth.
South Schroon. — This is a post-office and hamlet on the shore of the lake
about four miles south of Schroon Lake village. James L. Huntley is post-
master and keeps a store in connection. He succeeded Jackson Taylor. There
is no other business here.
There are two other post-offices in the town. Paradox, situated at the
head of Paradox lake, was established about five years ago ; Orrin Harris is
postmaster. Loch Muller is in the west part of the town, and was estab-
lished but a few years ago. Laben Burbank is postmaster.
540 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ESSEX.
ESSEX was formed from Willsborough on the 4th of April, 1805. It lies
on the shore of the lake, north of the center of the county. It is bounded
on the north by the town of Willsborough, east by the lake, south by West-
port, and west by Lewis. The southeastern coast is marked by the projection
into the lake of Split Rock. On the south side of Split Rock is an oval bay
called Grog Harbor, from the seizure and destruction at that place of a ba-
teau-load of rum, captured from the British during the War of the Revolution.
The rum was spilled into the harbor to save it from recapture. It is nearly
opposite the mouth of Otter Creek and Fort Cassin on the Vermont side. In
1 8 14 the British, designing to seize the stores and ammunitions at Vergennes,
attacked the fort. The onslaught was made on a Sunday afternoon and was
witnessed by large numbers of people who stood on the mountain side south
of Split Rock. After the firing of two hundred cannon shots and the dis-
mantling of five of the seven guns of the fort, the discomfited fleet withdrew.
This defeat of the British was the precursor of their subsequent overthrow at
Plattsburg. On the north side of SpHt Rock sparkle the waters of Whallon's
bay, a place of surpassing natural beauty.
In 1786 Judge R. A. Heirn settled on a tract of a thousand acres of land
west of this bay, erecting large dwellings, barns and tenement houses in the
English style, and assuming manorial dignities. His wife was a dusky
daughter of the West Indies. The manor is now owned and occupied by
Wesley G. Lyon. (See chart made by Judge Heirn and inserted in subse-
quent page.) Judge Heirn engaged largely in the lumber business, and, through
some mismanagement, lost heavily and was forced to dispose of his estates
and leave for other parts. The old buildings are still standing and have been
put in repair by the present owner. "The broad piazzas, the lawn of many
acres sloping down to the shore, the splendid elms and fruit trees, remain as
they were planned and set by the original proprietor.''
In the northwestern part of the town is the Boquet mountain, as it is
locally termed, with an elevation of about fifteen hundred feet above tide. It
is one of the most symmetrical and impressive mountains in the county. The
Boquet river flows northerly through nearly the center of the town. It has
been described in the preceding history of Willsborough. The formation
known by geologists as the Terraces of Lake Champlain are very marked in
Essex. They run nearly parallel with the line of the shore, and can be traced
for some miles into the interior. The surface of Lake Champlain is only
about ninety feet above tide-water, and in the process of excavating in the
Town of Essex. 541
town, large quantities of marine shells are discovered every year. These
shells are also found on the summit of Poke-o'-Moonshine mountain in Ches-
terfield, a mass of solid azoic rock over two thousand feet above tide. The
soil of Essex is clay, loam and gravel, and is well adapted for farming and
grazing purposes. The township contains some of the finest farms on Lake
Champlain. Large quantities of hay, beans, wool and butter are annually
exported. The mineral composition of the soil is a hypersthene rock overlaid
with Chazy and Trenton limestone and Hudson river slate. Potsdam sand-
stone crops out in places along the line of the Boquet river. The limestone
is of a superior quality for building purposes and the manufacture of lime.
Large quarries have been opened in the town for public works, for building
the canals, and for the masonry of the Vermont Central Railroad. It is so
stratified that blocks of nearly every thickness can be easily quarried. It
takes a high black polish, and has been much used in ornamental work. Great
quantities have been burned into lime in the village of Essex and shipped to
various markets. A fine cement rock is also found in this town. The forma-
tions of rock are highly interesting on account of the varied and numerous
fossils contained in them. In the south part of the town, on the lake shore at
Cannon Point, is a remarkable natural curiosity, giving certain evidence of a
pr-ehistoric eruption. From a point near the shore, bearing unmistakable signs
of having at one time formed the crater of a volcano, is a center from which
radiate three veins, or rather streams of igneous rock, one extending towards
the lake and constituting the point, one running to the northwest, which has
been traced nearly two miles, and the third running to the southwest, which
has been traced more than three miles. This melted rock has also filled in
many of the horizontal spaces between the strata of lime rock in the vicinity,
as may be readily seen along the bluffs of the lake shore. The rock of this
overflow is a handsome porphyry filled with rectangular crystals of compact
feldspar, which is very hard, susceptible of the highest polish, and has been
much used for ornamental purposes.
In the south part of the town, on the lot owned by William R. Derby, is
found a very valuable deposit of rose quartz of a superior quality and adapted
to the manufacture and finishing of china and stoneware. Many porphyry
dykes are also found in this town.
The territory embraced in the boundaries of the town of Essex, in com-
mon with the other lake towns of the county, was first taken from the hands
of the aborigines by the French. On the 13th of June, 1737, King Louis XV.
of France gave a large tract of land to Sieur Louis Joseph Robart, his store-
keeper at Montreal. Nathaniel B. Sylvester, in his valuable work. Northern
New York and the Adirondack Wilderness, quotes the description of this
seigneurie as follows : " Three leagues front by two leagues in depth on the
west side of Lake Champlain, taking, in going down, one league below [north
542 History of Essex County.
of] the River Boquet, and in going up, two and one-half above said river."
The French, who never effected a settlement, were forced to recede before the
power of British aggressions on the conquest of 1760. Their possessions
were practically confiscated by the British government and disregarded in the
location of its subsequent grants. The French claimants for a long time
appealed to both the courts and crown of England to obtain the restitution of
their possessions, but without success. In many cases they were conciliated
by equivalent grants of land in Canada. Even since the Revolution they
have a number of times asserted their claims in the courts of this country.
In 1809 the Supreme court of New York rendered a decision adverse to the
validity of the French concessions. (See Johnson's rep. 18, 163.)
There was no settlement in the town which tended to the permanent coloni-
zation of the country until the arrival of William Gilliland in the spring of
1765. This eminent pioneer first purchased parts of the seigneurie of Sieur
Robart, king's storekeeper at Montreal, and attempted to found a baronial
manor, in imitation of those situated on the Hudson river. His first tract was
six miles front on the lake and from three to four deep. He afterwards pur-
chased other extensive tracts, a full account of which and his later persecutions
is given in earlier chapters of this work.
He was born near the city of Armagh, Ireland, about 1734, and received
his education there. His cultured manners, general intelligence, and fine per-
son, made him a favorite wherever he was known. He became attached to a
young lady of fortune and noble parentage named Lady Betsey Eckles. The
disparity in their birth and fortune reared a barrier, and her family secluded
her and used their influence to secure his banishment. He then enlisted in
the 35th Regiment of the line, and after four years' service was discharged,
alone and friendless, in Philadelphia. He went to New York, entered a promi-
nent mercantile house, and within a year became a partner. He married Eliza-
beth Phagan (February 8th, 1759), the beautiful and accomplished daughter
of his partner, receiving with her a dowry of ;^ 1,500. His later operations in
Essex county are, as we have said, detailed in preceding chapter.
He has numerous descendants still living, in this town and in Willsborough,
which it will be interesting to name.^
William Gilliland's daughter Elizabeth married Daniel Ross about 1785,
and settled at what was then called Elizabeth, now the village of Essex. His
daughter, Eliza Ross, was the first white child born in the town (1786). Dan-
iel Ross was the first settler in what is now the town of Essex. He built the
first iron works in Willsborough in 1800, and was always a most liberal patron
of the iron trade in all its branches. He was sheriff of Clinton county before
1 For the information concerning these descendants, as well as for a good share of the knowledge
we have gained concerning the general resources of the town and the condition of the vicinity in early
times, we cheerfully give credit to the courteous, intelligent and industrious assistance of the Hon.
Anthony J. B. Ross, himself " descendant of Gilliland.
Town of Essex. 543
its division, and represented that county in the State Legislature. He was
appointed the first judge of Essex county, when it was formed, and held the
office nearly thirty years. One of his sons. General Henry H. Ross, after-
wards a prominent man in Essex county, was one of the first white children
born in the town (1790). General Ross lived in Essex all his life and died in
September, 1862. He was unanimously elected the first judge of the county
under the new constitution of 1846, and several times represented his district
in Congress. As adjutant of the Thirty-seventh Regiment of Militia he served
on General McComb's staff at the battle of Plattsburg, and was afterwards and
for some time a major-general in the militia. Of his descendants, his young-
est son, Anthony J. B. Ross, two daughters, Mrs. Ellen B. Fairbanks (widow
of Rev. J. N. Fairbanks, an Episcopal clergyman), and Frances J. Ross, now
live together in the old homestead called " Hickory Hill " in the village of Essex.
This homestead was built by Henry H, Ross in 1820. In 1822 Henry H.
Ross married Susannah Blanchard, daughter of Judge Anthony J. Blanchard,
of Salem, N. Y. She died February 26th, 1877.
James B. Ross, another son of Henry H. Ross, is now practicing law in
Denver, Col. His son, Henry H. Ross, 2d, in July, 1881, married Anna
Noble, and in December, 1882, died at Denver, leaving one child, a son, James
H. H. Ross, who was born the day before his father died. He now lives with
his mother in the village of Essex, at her place called " Rosslyn," and repre-
sents the fifth generation in the direct line of the descendants of William GiUi-
land. The other descendants of Daniel Ross and Elizabeth Gilliland were
William D. Ross, who passed all his life in the village of Essex, and died in
1844. He was extensively engaged in lumbering and mercantile business, and
the manufacture of iron. His descendants are now living in Chicago, Platts-
burg, and in Washington county, N. Y. Edward Ross, another son, who died
unmarried in 1825, aged thirty-three years. The two daughters of Daniel
Ross were Eliza, wife of Charles Piatt and afterwards of Ransom Noble, late
of Essex, and Sarah, wife of Charles Noble, late of Elizabethtown.
The children of Henry H. Ross, now living in Essex county, are James B.
Ross, lawyer, of Denver, Col. ; Frederick H. Ross, merchant, of Dowagiac,
Mich. ; and John Ross, for many years engaged in building steam and sail
vessels, and in general wood manufacturing at Essex, and now of the Platts-
burg Dock Company. His adopted daughter, Susannah Ross, is the wife of
Rev. E. D. Cooper, D.D., rector of the Church of the Redeemer at Astoria,
Long Island, N. Y. Sarah Shumway, granddaughter of Charles H. Piatt and
Eliza Ross (above named daughter of Daniel Ross and Elizabeth Gilliland) is
also a resident of Essex.
Charlotte Gilliland, another daughter of William Gilliland, was married
about 1786 to Stephen Cuyler. Their son, John Cuyler, married Phoebe
Hoff'nagle. Of their children now living in the town of Willsborough are John
544 History of Essex County.
B. Cuyler and Susannah Cuyler, who reside together about two miles south of
the village of Willsborough. Other descendants of Stephen Cuyler are living
in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.
Another daughter of William Gilliland, Jane Gilliland, was married to John
Bleecker, of Albany, where many of his descendants now reside.
His other child, William Gilliland, settled near Plattsburg, the present resi-
dence of his descendants.
The sketch or chart on the next page is a fac-simile of an original map found
among the papers of the late General Ross, and forms a comparison of the
handwriting and statements, with other early records, deeds and surveys show-
ing the ownership and description of lands in the vicinity at the date of its
making ; it is identified as the work of Robert A. Heirn, whose history has been
elsewhere given in this chapter. It includes a large tract then owned by him,
and was made in the year 1786. It is without doubt the oldest sketch in ex-
istence showing the location of farming lands and highways in Essex county,
just after the Revolution.
The following is a statement showing the present owners of the tracts
named in the map, or of tracts included in or including said tracts, furnished
by Mr. Anthony J. B. Ross, of Essex : —
Old Map. Present Owners.
Gilliland Block-house farm James B. Ross.
Higgins David S. Hayward.
Ross Northerly part, including the
house, designated on map William R. Derby.
Southerly part Belden Noble.
Easterly part Essex Village.
Gilliland Easterly part Essex Village.
Central part Farm of A. J. B. Ross & Sisters.
Westerly part Adam K. Staiford & M. McFar-
land.
Heath Easterly part Village of Essex.
Westerly part Adam K. Stafford.
Northerly part Ezra K. Parkhill.
Southerly part Henry H. Noble.
Hoffnagle, 100 acres, (No. 4) Henry H. Noble.
Heath lot, 100 acres Henry H. Noble.
200 acres, (next south) Northerly part Roswell C. Waite.
200 acres ^ Southerly part Samuel D. Tuttle.
Botis Samuel D. Tuttle.
Hoffnagle, 100 acres, (No. 3) Stephen D. Derby..
Jewett, 100 acres Stephen D. Derby.
W. Low lot, 50 acres Stephen D. Derby.
Hally's lot, 50 acres Stephen D. Derby.
Hoffnagle lot, 160 acres, (No. i) John Burt.
Havens lot Wesley G. Lyon.
The lot obtained of Botts, 125 acres. Westerly part Joseph W. Cross.
The lot I live on, 1 10 acres Easterly part Wesley G. Lyon.
My 600 acres Easterly part Wesley G. Lyon.
Westerly part Jos. W. Cross & G. J. Walker.
C. Havens, lOO acres Gardner J. Walker.
FACSIMILE OF ANCIENT CHART 0
tiJ.
•I
3.Z4TI> ^^-c^«^
«6
^
^
•^
i
jOf PART OF GILLILAND TRACT— 1786.
Town of Essex. 545
I. Daniels Michael Hyland.
Amos Stafford Ira A. Stafford.
Benjamin Stafford Ira A. Stafford.
Hoffnagle, no acres, (No. 2) Horace E. Sheldon.
Daniels & Stillwell, 200 acres Sorrell Jordo & Hazelton.
E. Eggleston Titus H. Bigelow.
Anthony J. B. Ross has in his custody a paper in the handwriting of Gen-
eral Henry H. Ross, containing valuable historical memoranda relating to the
town of Essex. It was written about 1 840. It states that the first settlers
were from Duchess county, and numbered Daniel Ross, Isaac Sheldon, Thomas
Pray, and Abram Reynolds. Shortly afterward Amos and Benjamin Stafford
came from Scituate, Rhode Island. The first school in the town was kept by
Mrs. Erasmus Towner. The first male teacher was Enoch F. Henry, who
taught in 1789. The first tavern was built by William Ring in 1786. The
first grist-mill was erected in 18 10, at Boquet, by William D. Ross. About
the same time and at the same place he built a rolling and slitting-mill and
nail factory. The first store was built and conducted in the village of Essex
in 1784 by Daniel Ross, who about the same year built a saw- mill at Boquet
and a grist-mill at Willsborough. The first regular religious service was in-
itiated by Henry Boynham, an English Episcopalian, in 1800. Delevan De-
lance, a resident of Essex, was one of the earliest sheriffs of the county. Reu-
ben Whallon, of Whallonsburgh, held the office of first judge of the old Court
of Common Pleas. The first law office in the towns of Essex and Willsborough
was built of stone about midway between the two villages about 1800 by Judge
Martin Aiken. It is now a tenement house on the farm of Benjamin Fairchild.
Other pioneers of Essex were Daniel Murray, Henry Van Ormand, Dr.
Colborn Clemens (the first. physician), David and Abner Reynolds, Nehemiah
Payn, James Eldrich, Thomas Stafford, E. Eggleston, and Richard Eggleston.
Soon after the close of the Revolution, and before the inhabitants of the
town had settled into the habitual repose of continued peace, a block-house was
constructed about three-fourths of a mile north of the village of Essex on the
farm now owned by James B. Ross (now called Faulderwood). It was an un-
pretentious structure built of logs, and evidently intended rather as a protec-
tion against the unbridled ferocity of Indian hatred, than against the assaults of
civilized enemies. In 1799 upon the formation of the county it was converted
into a court-house, and used as such until, under the act of 1 807, the county
buildings were erected at Elizabethtown. There is considerable uncertainty
about the date of the construction of this building. Mr. Watson in his valua-
ble history has united with French's Gazetteer in placing the date as late as
1797. But, as will be seen by reference, it is indicated in the Heirn chart made
in 1786 and printed in these pages. Captain Martin Eggleston thinks it was
erected in 177 5, but this seems improbable from the slight possibility that it
could survive the devastations of the war, and the fact that there was prob-
ably no need of a block-house here at so early a date. The most probable
35
546 History of Essex County.
theory, therefore, seems to be that it was built soon after the War of the Rev-
olution. 1
Resuming the narrative of early settlement it may be stated that General
Ransom Noble came to Essex in about 1800, and engaged successfully in the
tannery, lumber, and iron business. His sons, H. and B. Noble, succeeded him
in business. Henry Noble, another son, now deceased, settled at Elizabeth-
town where his family now reside. ' Charles Noble, also a son, formerly resided
in New York city. The family of Harmon Noble, deceased, now live in Essex,
and the family of Belden Noble, are at Washington, D. C. Henry Harmon
Noble, son of Harmon Noble, and the only male representative of the family
at Essex, resides in the house formerly occupied by his father, and in earlier
days by General Noble himself The place is appropriately called " Sunnyside."
(See biographic sketches in later pages.)
Amos and David Stafford occupied two lots on Whallon's bay immediately
after the close of the Revolution. In 1792 Judge Charles Hatcji moved into
that part of Essex known as Brookfield, where he remained until 1804. He
then went to Westport. Mr. Watson states that the removal of his family
from Brookfield to Westport (on North West bay), a distance of eight miles,
occupied two days, and required the labor of four men to open a roadway for
the wagon.
Such was the general condition of the neighborhood previous to the begin-
ning of the present century. The villages and settlements increased gradually
in population and business activity. Lumbering was carried on extensively,
the iron industry was a bud of great promise ; taverns owned by men who were
endowed with generous licenses to engage in the traffic of liquors grew abund-
ant, and potash factories flourished with an ease that made them seem indige-
nous. Commerce on Lake Champlain did not reach its greatest activity for a
number of years, but something of its future began to be manifest, and the vil-
lage of Essex, the most thriving of the three which exchanged courtesies in
the town of Essex, sprang into considerable prominence as a commercial and
ship-building center.
Before the War of 1812 the craft that sailed the lake were very small,
there being none, according to the statement of Captain Martin Eggleston,
that would carry more than forty or fifty tons. Several large sloops were built
in Essex in 181 1 and 1812, and, indeed, the principal boat-building on this side
of the lake was done here. Richard Eggleston built in 18 10 the first sloop
that ever sailed the waters of these northern lakes. She was built for William
D. Ross, who named her the Eiiretta. Soon after, when the clouds of ap-
iThe timbers of the old block-house were used in the construction of barns erected by General H.
H. Ross on his farms in Essex, and can still be seen in the barns on the farms" of Anthony J. B. Ross
and J. B. Ross. They are large timbers about twenty inches square, of clear pine, and show the long
notches cut in them at the time the block-house was built. The old court-house building formerly
erected on the same site is now a barn on the farm of J. B. Ross.
Town of Essex. 547
preaching war hung threateningly over the whole country, larger craft were
required, and Richard Eggleston built eight or ten vessels of more than one
hundred and fifty tons burden. He undoubtedly constructed more than a
hundred freight vessels in all. In 1811 and 1812 he commenced building two
sloops, The President and The Richard, the former for John Boynton, of Platts-
burg, and the latter for Gideon King, of Burlington, who, among others, had
obtained letters of marque and reprisal, and designed using the sloops for pri-
vateering purposes. Before the craft were finished news arrived that the
British fleet was coming to bombard Fort Cassin on Otter creek, across the
lake. The sloops were hastily caulked, launched, taken to Barn Rock on the
south side of Split Rock Point, put in the bay and completely concealed be-
neath huge masses of brush. In about two weeks the British bombarded Fort
Cassin in order to weaken the strength of the navy yard at Vergennes, but
without success. After the bombardment the British anchored in a line in
front of Essex, furled their top-sails, threw out their guns towards the village
and made every preparation to fire. The British commander came in towards
shore and wanted to know if the citizens desired a truce. In response to a
signal from General Henry H. Ross they came ashore, and a parley was held.
The Englishmen spied upon the shore the spars which had been prepared for
the sloops, and demanded information concerning the whereabouts of the ves-
sels. He was told they were at Whitehall, whereupon he ordered his men to
cut the spars to pieces. He immediately retracted his order, however, with the
observation that the Revolutionists "could easily get more." The sloops were
afterwards finished and passed through exciting vicissitudes, under the names
of the Growler and the Eagle. They were taken by the British and recap-
tured at Plattsburg.
This was not the only visit paid to the site of Essex village by British ene-
mies. In the War of the Revolution the fleeing British, retreating from
Ticonderoga after the defeat of Burgoyne, were intercepted here by a party of
" Green Mountain Boys " under Ebenezer Allen, who captured fifty prisoners
and all their military stores. ,
The lumber markets in those days, it will be remembered, were Montreal
and Quebec. Enormous quantities of square timber and sawed lumber were
shipped there from all points along Lake Champlain. A number of sloops
were manufactured to carry lumber .south after the completion of the canal to
Troy. Between 1825 and 1836 there were probably one hundred and twenty-
five sloops sailing the lake. Richard Eggleston also built two hundred and
fifty row galleys or bateaux for the American fleet on the lake. His son. Cap-
tain Martin Eggleston, who was born at Essex in 1806, sailed on the lake from
1821 to 1863.
As early as 18 10 there were three asheries in the territory now composing
the town of Essex. One near Whallon's bay, owned by Judge Heirn, one
548 History of Essex County.
about six miles west of the village of Essex, owned by Daniel Ross, and one
in the village of Essex, owned by William D. Ross. It is estimated that these
three asheries manufactured from two hundred to three hundred tons of potash
annually. General Ransom Noble owned and conducted a tannery, in Essex
as early as 1800, and was extensively engaged in the lumber and iron business.
About 1 8 10 there were three taverns in the village of Essex, kept by Amps
Anson, Nathan Nichols and Isaac Drew. There were seven outside the vil-
lage, as follows : one at Whallon's bay, kept by a Mr. Miller ; one at. Whallons-
burgh, kept by Sawyer Carter ; one kept by Benjamin Stafford in the west part
of the town ; one on the same road toward Westport from Stafford, kept by
John Burt ; one six miles west of the village of Essex kept by Jesse Reynolds,
near the potash factory of Daniel Ross ; one kept by N. Wallace, about a mile
west of the village, and one at Boquet. Shortly after 18 10 General Wright kept
the hotel now run by J. C. Baldwin.
William D. Ross had a distillery just north of Essex before 1820, which was
probably the only one in the town.
Farming remained at a low ebb until as late as 1830, when the lumber trade
began to decline. The western parts of the town were cultivated first, although
the most fruitful soil lies along the shore of the lake.
Town Officers, etc. — The records of this town are not in existence until
after the year 1820, as far as we have been able to ascertain, which prevents
the publication of the names of the first officers. We have, however, obtained
the names of the successive supervisors after and including the year 1818.
They are as follows: 1818-19, Reuben Whallon ; 1820-21, Ralph Hascall ;
1822 to 1824 inclusive, William Smith; 1825-26, Ransom Noble ; 1827 to
1829 inclusive, Reuben Whallon ; 1830-31, John Gould ; 1832, Richard Eg-
gleston ; 1833 to 1835 inclusive, Henry H. Ross ; 1836-37, William D. Ross ;
1838-39. Abel Baldwin ; 1840, Henry H. Ross ; 1841-42, Samuel Shumway ;
1843-44, Bdden Noble; 1845-46, Daniel North; 1847-48, Michael H. Stower;
1849-50, Edward S. Shumway; 1851-52, Palmer E. Havens; 1853-54, Wil-
liam D. Ross, 2d; 1855-56, Eli W. Rogers; 1857-58, James Stafford ; 1859-
60, Phillip S. Baldwin ; 1861-62, Belden Noble; 1863 to 1865 inclusive, Jghn
Hoskins ; 1866 to 1868 inclusive, John Ross ; 1869-70, George W. Palmer ;
1871, Jonathan Mather ; 1872, Buel D. Bacon ; 1873-74, Jonathan Mather;
1875, Andrew J. Tucker ; 1876 to 1878 inclusive, Walter D. Palmer; 1879,
W. H. Stower; 1880 to 1883 inclusive, Charles W. Tucker; 1884 to present
time, Anthony J. B. Ross.
Population of Town.— i^$o, 2,351; 1855, 2,115; i860, 1,633; 1865,
1,501; 1870, 1,600; 1875, 1,867; 1880, 1,462.
The first muster roll from the county at the outbreak of the Rebellion was
taken in the town of Essex. Captain William D. Ross, eldest son of General
Henry H. Ross, took about forty men from the town early in May, 1861, and
Town of Essex. 549
had them incorporated with the Anderson Zouaves, under Colonel Riker at
New York city. The following is a list of the volunteers as named in said roll,
most of whom he commanded as lieutenant and captain. The roll is dated
May 2d, 1861 : William D. Ross, Belden R. Parkill, James Phillips, Charles
Hoffnagle, Edmund Atherton, Albert Green, John Maloy, Joseph Hall, Wil-
liam E. Pratt, Horace A. Pratt, John Gordon, Franklin J. West, Samuel F.
West, Henry H. Tucker, Andrew Todd, Napoleon Durant, Joseph Martin,
Friend A. Smith, Charles P. Saywood, Henry W. Baldwin, George Tucker,
James Stone, John Reed, Peter Lowe, Ira P. Knapp, Nathan W. Lincoln, E.
Story, John Damady, Horace Smith, Franklin Flurry, Edwin Clemmons, F.
A. Brown, George Chase, Artemas Woodruff, Daniel Cross. With a few ex-
ceptions the above names represent the men who left the town in May, 1861,
to take an active part in the great struggle. The brave and gallant captain of
this company, William D. Ross, did not live to see the cause, for which he was
willing to sacrifice his life, victorious. On the 2Sth day of October, 1861,
while in the line of his duty, the railroad track near Washington, he was struck
and killed by a passing train. He was buried with military honors at Wash-
ton, where his remains rested until his death was made known to his friends in
Essex, when he was brought home and buried in the family vault. At the
time of his death he was thirty- one years of age, and had been in the practice
of law in Essex for about eight years. For further military details see the
chapter devoted to that subject.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The town of Essex contains three villages, Essex, Whallonsburgh, and Bo-
quet. The village of Essex, the largest and oldest of the three, is situated on
the shore of the lake in the northeastern corner of the town. As stated in the
earlier part of this chapter, it was at one time one of the chief ports on the lake,
and until after 1840 was an important ship-building center. Iron was manu-
factured here extensively at one time, but these industries have died and have
been replaced by others.
Mercantile. — As early as 181 5 William D. Ross, Ransom Noble, and John
Gduld were store-keepers here. How long they continued is not known, but
they had been succeeded by others years before the oldest merchant now in
the village began business here.
The merchant of longest standing in the village is William R. Derby, who
has traded here since September, 1854. At that time he bought out the
general store of Wesley G. Lyon, who had been a general merchant in the
place about eight years preceding. Mr. Derby has occupied his present build-
ing about eight years. Andrew J. Tucker has sold general merchandise in
this village since 1861. He was in partnership with Welsey G. Lyon until
1864, when that relation was dissolved and a new partnership established
between Mr. Tucker and D. E. Field. This firm was not separated until 1880.
SSo History of Essex County.
Mr. Tucker has been in the building he now uses from the start, with the
exception of the six years between 1863 and 1870. He carries a stock esti-
mated at $8,000. Buel D. Bacon opened a hardware store in Essex in the
fall of 1868. He then purchased the stock and good will of Theodore Calkins,
who had conducted the business for several years previous. Mr. Bacon has
been in his present building since 1881. In 1873 S. D. Derby started a gen-
eral store in company with his brother, W. R. Derby, and remained with him
four years. Since 1877 he has been alone. He carries a stock of about
$15,000.
W. J. Hoskins commenced dealing in furniture about 1875. In July,
1884, his brother, E. W. Hoskins, entered into partnership with him. W. J.
Hoskins died in January, 1885, since which time his brother has conducted
the business alone. E. H. & C. H. Stafford (brothers) began to keep a general
store here in 1882, being successors to W. G. Lyon, who had conducted a like
business in the same building since 1868.
George D. Anson established a store in the building now occupied by him
in 1880. It is the same building which H. D. Edwards had used as a store
years ago, but it had been vacant for some time when Mr. Anson came into it.
Ira C. Stafford, a jeweler, also has a jewelry and music store in the village.
W. W. Wilson has had a feed store here since November, 1884. Mosier Fer-
guson has had a shoe-shop in this village since 1875, and Charles Michon
since 1878. R. Fortune, tailor, has been engaged in his present occupation
here since 1842. For the first twenty years he occupied the house now used
as the Congregational parsonage. He came into the building he now occupies
in 1867.
Manufactures. — The Essex Horse Nail Company (Limited) was incorpor-
ated in June, 1879. There were originally, and are now, about fifty sharehold-
ers in the company. The first officers were : President, Palmer E. Havens; vice
president, Alpheus A. Morse ; secretary, Walter D. Palmer ; treasurer, Wil--
liam R. Derby ; superintendent, James Mills. Directors besides the officers
above named : Stephen D. Derby, Wesley G. Lyon, Anthony J. B. Ross, Seth
Crosman, Charles A. Martin, Lyman Barton, John N. Oliver, James H. Howe.
The company purchased the ground and buildings of Lyon & Palmer, who
had up to that time, 1879, used them for the manufacture of sashes and blinds.
One of the buildings was remodeled into the present machine-shop, and
another converted into the store-house. The office and other buildings were
erected anew. The total cost of the building and remodeling was about
$20,000, and of machinery and fixtures about $25,000. The works and
office are situated on the shore of the lake, where the company own a wharf
for their own convenience. It affords those interested in lake traffic the bene-
fits of competition between this wharf and three others in the same village.
The company employ, when running in full force, sixty or seventy hands.
7r'
My /r/^My-us Sms m.-rs'T?:
Town of Essex. 551
The president of the company now is Hon. Palmer E. Havens ; the vice presi-
dent is D. F. Payne ; secretary and treasurer, W. D. Palmer ; superintendent,
C. W. Woodford. Mr. Woodford has been superintendent since May, 1 880.
The capital stock of the company is $80,000, paid up. (See biography of
C. W. Woodford herein.)
The old sash factory of Lyon & Palmer, mentioned above, stood on ground
wtiich formed originally the ship-yard of Hoskins, Ross & Co., the firm being
composed of John Hoskins, John Ross and Wesley J. Hoskins. Subsequently
James B. Ross became interested in the concern, the firm title was changed to
The Essex Manufacturing Company, and the business to the manufacture of
sashes and bhnds. Lyon & Palmer bought them out in 1877. The old ship-
building business was killed by the construction and opening of railroads on
both sides of the lake.
Hotels. — Essex village has two hotels. The oldest one, that now kept by
J. C. Baldwin, was erected and kept by General Wright before the beginning
of the present century. Some parts of it are supposed to be a hundred years
old. It is a fairly well-preserved centenarian. General Wright conducted
the hotel business therein until about 18 10. The present proprietor has been
here since May 1st, 1874. He was preceded by Eli Farnsworth. Some years
before the beginning of the Civil War, Charles G. Fancher came into posses-
sion, and was followed successively by William Brainard, who left in 1861,
Martin Eggleston, Edward Burt, Webster W. Royce, Parker Torrance, Sidney
Carr, Eli Farnsworth and J. C. Baldwin.
North's Hotel was built by Delavan Delance about the year 1830 for a
private dwelling house. Afterwards Noble Clemmons remodeled it into a
hotel and kept it until about 1850. The present proprietor, De Lloyd W.
North, took possession in 1882. Before that it was vacant for a time, the last
proprietor before the vacancy being Harry Palmer. William Brandeau pre-
ceded him, his term beginning May, 1874. Before Brandeau was Eli Farns-
worth ; prior to Farnsworth's occupancy the house lay idle for years, probably
since 1864 or '65. In 186 1 WiUiam Brainard came in and remained three or
four years.
The Professions. — Hon. Palmer E. Havens began the practice of law in the
village of Essex in 184 1. He was admitted atPlattsburg after passing a period
of study in the office of General Henry H. Ross. He has ably represented his
county and district in the Legislature as Assemblyman and Senator. (See
biography.)
James B. Ross, now of Denver, Col, was admitted in 1854, and practiced
in Detroit until 1859. From there he removed to Houghton, Mich., where he
stayed nine years as the attorney for the copper mining companies of Michi-
gan. He came to Essex in 1868. In 1874 his brother, Anthony J. B. Ross,
who practices here now, went in with him. They practiced together under the
552 History of Essex County.
firm style of Ross & Ross until 1882, when James B. Ross moved to Denver.
During his residence in Essex, James B. Ross was one of the wardens of St.
John's Church. He was also largely interested in the business pursuits of the
town. Anthony J. B. Ross graduated at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., in
1866, and was admitted to practice at Albany in 1874 after studying the re-
quisite period with the firm of Hand, Hale, Swartz & Fairchild, of Albany.
He is the present supervisor of the town. The law-office now occupied by
Mr. Ross was built (of stone) by General Henry H. Ross in 1812.
Edwin R. Chase, M.D., aged fifty-seven years, came to Essex in 1858.
He received his professional education in the Albany Medical College.
Dr. Edward B. Atkins, aged thirty-six years, was graduated from the Al-
bany Medical College in 1874, and came to Essex in May, 1880. In 1877 he
received the Adeundem Degree from the University of New York city.
Union School. — The Essex Union School was formed April I2th, 1866.
The first trustees were Wesley G. Lyon, E. R. Eaton, and Robert Fortune,
one year ; Ezra Parkhill, E. R. Chase, M.D., and R. Morse, two years ; Palmer
E. Havens, John Hoskins, and John Ross, three years. The office of first
clerk and librarian devolved upon Wesley G. Lyon. E. R. Brougham was
the first principal.
Under the new regime the school remained for a short time in the old brick
house which now stands about ten rods south of the one at present occupied.
The trustees very soon secured an old dwelling house, formerly owned and oc-
cupied by General Ransom Noble, and moved it on to the school lot. It was
denbminated the Academy building. Finding it unfit for the purposes to
which it had been converted, the board in 1867 erected the present structure
at a cost not exceeding $5,000. The primary department has been since
added. The present trustees of the school are as follows : —
Committee on teachers : Wesley G. Lyon, W. J. Hoskins (since election
deceased), William H. Stower. Committee on finance : Walter D. Palmer,
Dwight E. Field, Henry H. Noble ; committee on buildings, etc., H. W. Park-
hill, Myron Eggleston, and George Anson. The present clerk of the board,
H. W. Parkhill, has officiated continuously since 1875. There are three
teachers in constant employment, F. M. Hickok being at present the princi-
pal. The average attendance of the school is about one hundred and thirty-
eight.
Churches. — The most ancient church organization now existing in the
village of Essex is undoubtedly the Congregational Church, though it cannot
date its origin back of the period of religious services held by the Episcopalian.
Henry Boynham, mentioned in the memoranda of Henry H. Ross.
Presbyterian Church. — This church was organized on the 3d day of De-
cember, 181 5, by the Rev. Cyrus Comstock, of the Berkshire and Columbia
Missionary Society. The records show the first members to have been Ira
Town of Essex. 553
Manley, Reuben Whallon, Ralph Hascall, Mary Hascall, Theodosia Gould,
Annis Wallis, Asa Frisbie, Mrs. Fairchild, Mrs. Higby, Mrs. Throop, Chloe
Higby. Among the members who were soon after added to the society were
Fanny Little, Julia Lynde, Betsey Earle, Ellen Gilbert, Mrs. Boynton, Dr.
Abel P. Mead, Dr. Samuel Shumway, Hannah Shumway, Phoebe Eggleston,
Eliza Whallon, Daniel Lynde.
The first preaching, in addition to that of the Rev. Mr. Comstock, was by
Rev. Asa Messer. About the year 1823 Ira Manley preached occasionally.
At this time meetings were held in the brick school- house in Essex and in the
school-house near Willsborough Falls. It was a Congregational Church until
December, 1830, when the members from Essex adopted the ecclesiastical
government of the Presbyterian Church. Previous to this time the society
embraced the towns of Essex and Willsborough ; but when the Essex congre-
gation changed to the Presbyterian government, the two towns separated their
church interests and the Willsborough congregation continued under the orig-
inal form of worship. Following are the names of the elders after the change :
James S. Whallon, Abiel P. Mead, Asa Frisbie, Colonel WiUiam Smith. . The
first church building was erected in the year 181 8. The movement which
resulted in the building of the church was preceded by the circulation of the
following subscription paper : —
" We, the subscribers, do hereby associate ourselves into a society for
building a meeting house, or a place of public worship, in the town of Essex,
on or near the site of 'the old school-house which was burned, on the hill in
the rear of the dwelling house of Ezra Parkhill. And we do severally agree to
pay to a committee of three persons the several sums respectively annexed to
our names for the purpose aforesaid, which said sums shall be paid in four
equal quarterly installments, in cattle, grain or iron, to wit : The one-fourth
part of which sums to be paid by the first day of May next ; the remaining
three installments by the first days of August, November and February next
thereafter, in cattle, grain or iron, or in material acceptable to said committee,
who are to be chosen and elected by the said subscribers at a meeting to be
held at the house of Delevan Delance in Essex, on the first Monday in De-
cember next. And the pews or other property of the said meeting house and
the ground appropriated for the same shall be disposed of according to the
resolutions of the said subscribers at a subsequent meeting ; shall be at such
time and place as shall be appropriated by the first meeting aforesaid. Dated
Essex, November loth, 1817.
"Henry H. Ross, $400 including an acre of land at"$i25; W. D. Ross,
$300; Ransom G. Hatch, $250; Ralph Hascall, $150; John Gould, $100;
(name illegible) $100; D. Delance, $50; D. B. McNeil, $75; Charles Mc-
Neil, $5 (cash) ; Luther Adgate, $50 ; Ezra Parkhill, $50 ; Charles B. Prindle,
$50; Luther Prose, $40; John Earl, $25; Jonathan Little, $75; James M.
554 History of Essex County.
Hayes, $20; Sawyer Carter, $25 ; Simeon Pangburn, $5 ; H. A. Hawley,
$25; Ezra Coats, jr., $5 (a gratuity); David Delatice, $4 ; Willard Church, $5 ;
Asahel Row, $4 ; J. G. Cornell, $5 ; D. W. Sturtevant, $5 ; David Jacobs, $5 ;
Joshua Martin, $50 ; Russell Vaughn, $5 ; Dean Delance, $6 ; Samuel C.
Taylor, $25; Elijah Carter, $15; John Hoffnagle, $50 (but if preparations
are making for building a meeting-house in Willsborough, before the frame of
Essex meeting-house is raised, then $25 to be deducted ;) Hine demons, $50;
Solomon Cook, $25; WiUiam Braman, $10; Thomas Edwards $10; Phineas
Haskins, $5 ; Silas C. Perry, $5." These names were all signed with a wafer
and seal numbered consecutively.
The church erected in 1818 was used until 182 1, when a supplemental
subscription paper was issued to raise funds to complete the building. In this
subscription paper appears the name of H. A. Hawley for " $2 towards paint-
ing, and $3 towards interior finishing, when the same shall be half done."
The present church was erected in 1853 at a cost of about $10,000. The
corner stone was laid December 13th, 1853, the services being conducted by
Rev. J. T. Willet. The value of the church property, including the parsonage,
is about $10,000.
Following are the names of the successive pastors who have served the
church since 1827: 1827-30, Rev. Vernon D. Taylor; 1831-32, Rev. J. B.
Baldwin; 1832 to i844,Rev. Joel Fisk; 1844 to 1847, ^^v. A. Bronson; for a
short time after 1847, K.ev. Moses Chase officiated; 1850—51, Rev. J. G. Ran-
dall; 1852 to i86s,Rev. J. T. Willet; 1865 to 1882, Rev. C.N. Wilder; 1882-83,
Rev. Thornton Mills ; present pastor, Augustus Frederick. The present church
officers are as follows : Trustees, Henry H. Noble, C. W. Tucker, Thomas
Maguire, William H. Stower, E. R. Chase, M.D., C. H. Stafford, William R.
Derby, D. E. Field, A. A. Morse. Elders, A. A. Morse,. B. F. Lee, Edwin
R. Chase, M.D., O. C. Morse, E. P. Morse, C. H. Stafford, W. E. Atherton.
Deacon, Asa Hale. The membership is one hundred and thirty-one.
There has been a Sunday-school connected with the church from about the
beginning of the organization. A. A. Morse has held the office of superin-
tendent for more than twenty years. Membership is ninety.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — This church was organized January 12th,
1835, the original trustees being as follows : First class, WilHam D. Ross, John
Gould, Hine Clemons ; second class. Noble demons, Lewis Ladd ; third
class, Charles C. Cheney, Asa Derby. The present church edifice was begun
soon after the organization, but it was several years before it was finished. In
1852 the Willsborough people, who had been associated with the church dur-
ing the first seventeen years of its life, effected a separation. The ministerial
succession in the church has been as follows : Lewis Potter and John Graves
and John Haslan ; Arunah Lyon and Benjamin Cox ; Aaron Hall and O. J.
Squires; J. D. White and Benjamin Pomeroy ; J. D. Burnham and A. Garvin;
Town of Essex. 555
S. Coleman and Henry Taylor ; J. D. White and ; J. D. Burnham and
M. B. Wood; William Arner and ; David Osgood and O. J. Squires;
John Graves and J. D. Wescott ; Josiah Chamberlain and D. H. Loveland ;
•William Arner and ; in 1852 W. H. Meeker; followed by Andrew
McGilton, Matthias Ludham, Joel Eaton, Joseph Cope, J. M. Puffer, George
W. Brown, D. N. Lewis, John Vrooman, J. D. White, M. N. Curry, J. W.
Thompson, C. H. Richmond, W. P. Rulison, George H. Robbins, 1876-79;
E. J. Guernsey, 1879-82; J. M. Edgerton, 1882-85; and the present pastor,
Elam Marsh, who came in the spring of 1885.
The church building was extensively improved in 1876 and again in 1884,
the last time at a cost of about $1,000.
The present officers of the church are as follows : Stewards, W. H. Adsit,
(district steward) ; O. Parker, B. D. Bacon, M. Sibly, Z. Clark, G. D. Anson,
C. E. Hoskins, E. W. Hoskins, L. L. Calkins, recording steward. Leaders, A.
E. Winslow, W. D. Palmer, D. S. Whallon. Trustees, John Hoskins, chair-
man, W. G. Lyon, B. D. Bacon, W. H. Adsit, M. E. Eggleston, clerk. Sun-
day-school superintendents B. D. Bacon and Mrs. F. J. Avery.
The Baptist Church of Essex village was an offshoot of the Essex church
at Brookfield, and was organized in 1838, with a membership of eighteen.
Elders Hodges and Walden of Elizabethtown supplied the pulpit the first
three years and increased the membership to one hundred and five. The
church was begun in 1840 and completed in 1842. Fifteen ministers have
officiated, viz.: Revs. C. W. Hodges, J. H. Walden, Lyman Smith, Isaac Wal-
dron, Elias Hurlburt, C. H. Pierson, K. Smith, C. W. Walker, E. A. Wyman,
George E. Henderson, Calvin Fisher, Luman Kinney, Stephen Wright, I. E.
Howd, S. W. Nichols, J. R. Taylor, A. H. Stock. Rev. A. H. Stock left in
April, 1884, since which time the church has been without a pastor. The
present deacons are Philip S. Baldwin and Aiken E. Sheldon, who also perform
the duties of church trustees. Albert Baldwin is the present church clerk.
St. John's Church, Essex, (Episcopal). — The church was organized March
2ist, 1853, the missionary in charge being Rev. F. C. Putnam. The persons
present at the first meeting were. Rev. F. C. Putnam, Henry H. Ross, William
H. Low, Henry N. Gould, Ezra Parkhill, H. A. Palmer, Elihu Gilbert, Seth
Grossman, Peter Chamberlain, William Buch, Henry D. Edwards, Henry Bar-
ker, Charles A. Martin, William E. Sayward, Asa P. Hammond, and George
E. Atwater.
The organization of this church was mainly due to the efforts and influence
of Mrs. Henry H. Ross, and her daughter, Susannah M. Ross, now Mrs. Cooper.
The first officers were as follows : Henry H. Ross, senior warden ; Asa P.
Hammond, junior warden. Vestrymen, Henry N. Gould, William H. Low,
Henry W. Putnam, Ezra Parkhill, Seth Grossman, Elihu Gilbert, George E.
Atwater, Charles A. Martin.
556 History of Essex County.
From 1853 to 1877 services were held in a building erected by Henry H.
Ross about 1835 for a school-house on the lot where the present church edifice
stands, and by him devoted to the uses of the church during those years. In
1877 the church purchased the building and lot, removed the old building to
its present site and rebuilt it in its present form, from designs by the Rev. John
Henry Hopkins, D.D. In the same year the rectory was built on the same
lot. The church is a frame building supported by buttresses on the east side,
with a wing for the organ chamber and vestry-room, and a bell cot at the north
end. It contains a marble altar constructed from stone found in the town.
The base is of blue limestone, sanded, the sides and top of dolomite cut from a
boulder found in the vicinity, which presents a variegated surface resembling
mosaic work. It is supported at the sides by pillars of black marble (blue
limestone polished), and surmounted by a super-altar of the same marble and
a cross of dolomite which, as well as the front of the altar, is inlaid with por-
phyry and marbles of different colors. It was made from designs by Dr. Hop-
kins and was his gift to the church. The church- also contains a tablet to the
memory of Henry H. Ross, the founder of the parish, and another to the
memory of the Rev. J. N. Fairbanks, the third rector of the parish, both being
erected by the vestry.
The following have officiated as rectors of this church : 1853-54, Rev. Fer-
nando C. Putnam; 1855-56, Rev, Edmund D. Cooper; 1857-60, Rev. J.
N. Fairbanks; 1862-65, Rev. Edmund D. Cooper; 1865-66, Rev. Charles
Husband; 1867-68, Charles C. Fiske; 1868-69, Elias Weil; 1869-70, Rev.
John Henry Hopkins, jr., D.D.,; 1871-72, Rev. James E. Hall; 1873-76,
Rev. J .W. Mcllwaine; 1878-83, Rev. E. L. Toy; 1884, Rev. Norman Irish,
D.D., who is the present pastor.
The present number of communicants is ninety. The officers are : Stephen
D. Derby, senior warden; Andrew' J. Tucker, junior warden; A. J. B. Ross,
Robert Fortune, Moses Knowlton, H. E. Woodford, Edward W. Richardson,
Charles W. Woodford, Edward B. Atkins, M. D., vestrymen.
A Sunday-school was organized at the same time with the church ; the
rectors have been superintendents.
S(. Joseph's Church ( Roman Catholic.) — This church was organized in
1872. The first trustees were Michael McFarland and Terence McFarland.
First priest, Rev. James Shields. The church building was begun in 1872 and
finished in the next year, at a cost of about $9,000. Following are the names
of the successive priests who have served the church: Rev. John Redington,
Rev. John H. Sullivan, Rev. Mr. Devlin, M. A. Holihan, the present priest.
The present membership comprises about one hundred families. The trustees
are Terence McFarland and Victor Fuller. A Sunday-school has been con-
ducted since the organization of the church, with the priest as superintendent.
Freemasonry. — Essex lodge No. 152 (the first in the county), was char-
Town of Essex. 557
tered February 14th, 1807. Its records are lost but it seems to have been in
existence as late as 1822. The present Masonic lodge of Essex (Iroquois
lodge, No. 715), was chartered June 7th, 1862. Its original membership num-
bered about fifty. The first officers were : James B. Ross, W. M. ; Andrew J.
Tucker, sen. warden ; George Alexander, junior warden. The present officers
are as follows : Charles J. Merriam, W. M. ; W. M. French, senior warden ; O.
E. Hayes, junior warden ; John B. Cuyler, senior deacon ; G. F. Eggleston,
junior deacon; Dwight E. Field, secretary; A.J. Tucker, treasurer; G. A.
Calkins, senior master of ceremonies ; David S. Hayward, junior master of
ceremonies ; H. J. Hinkley, tiler. Lodge meetings are held in the store build-
ing in which Stafford Brothers keep store.
In August, 1869, a chapter (Split Rock chapter, Number 243), containing
a membership of twenty-five, was organized. The first high priest was John
Ross. William Hoskins held the office of king; Franklin D. Bennett, of scribe ;
Ambrose Brunell, of captain of the host ; and Joshua Bennett, of principal
sojourner. The present officers are : D. E. Field, H. P. ; D. S. Hayward K. ;
H. S. Stower, S. ; A. J. Tucker, C. of H. ; Anthony J. B. Ross, R S. ; John B.
Cuyler, R. A. C. (royal arch captain) ; J. W. Chamberlain, M. 3d V. (master of
the third veil) ; George Alexander, M. 2d. V. ; Asa Frisbie, M. 1st. V. ; H. J.
Hinkley, tiler.
Post-masters. — The first postmaster of which any record can be found is
Judge John Gould, who officiated from a date antecedent to 18 18 until about
1838. He was succeeded by Dr. E. P. Mead, who served his country in the
capacity of mail distributor four or five years, and was in turn superseded by
Charles J. Fancher. He gave place to Robert Fortune about six years after
he had taken the oath of office. By another presidential transformation Charles
G. Fancher became successor to Mr. Fortune. The latter was re-instated after
a short period, and in a few years again gave place to Mr. Fancher. In about
1875 Walter D. Palmer was appointed and retained the office until the spring
of 1885, when E. W. Hoskins, the present incumbent assumed the duties of
the office.
Boquet. — This is a small hamlet situated about three miles to the south-
west of the village of Essex, on the Boquet river. It was formerly a flourish-
ing manufacturing community. The first manufacturing efforts of civilized
man in this village were put forth in 18 10, when William D. Ross erected a
grist-mill on the bank of the river, and about the same time built quite an ex-
tensive rolling and slitting-mill and nail factory. As early as 1784, however,
Daniel Ross conducted a general store here for the accommodation of the early
settlers who had established themselves in scattered families along the river
side'. There must have been, too, at that early date, some lumbering done
about the site of Boquet, for Daniel Ross also ran a saw-mill here in 1785. It
was probably engaged entirely in supplying the home demand. After 18 10
5s8 History or Essex County.
the place began to assume considerable local importance. Business did not
die out there for many years. Henry H. Ross, in his memoranda before men-
tioned, written about 1840, states that in Boquet there was then "a large mill
for the manufacture of rolled iron and nails, a grist-mill, etc." There has never
been and is not now a post-office here. In 1828 a district school-house was
built of stone and in octagonal shape. It still serves the original purpose of
its erection. In 1855 an Episcopal chapel was built on the hill in the south
part of the village, but was purchased by the Baptist and Presbyterian ele-
ment of the community in 1880, and is now used as a union church. Brook-
field and Essex clergymen supply the pulpit. Little remains of the business
activities of ancient days. The old dam has been worn away rather than
washed away, and the mills are the more silent in that they arouse an idea of
former thrift and industry. The only business now conducted in the old vil-
lage is that of C. W. & W. A. Tucker, dealers in produce and general mer-
chandise. They started a hay barn about eight years ago, and soon after built
the store near the railroad. They still press hay and dispense merchandise to
the inhabitants of Boquet and vicinity.
Brookfield is a farming settlement in the west part of the town, which has
one store, that kept by James Reynolds for the past three years. There is also
at Brookfield one of the oldest Baptist Churches in the county. About the
beginning of the present century they held services in an old log building, and
afterwards in a barn, until their church edifice was completed (before 1809).
In 1809 Rev. Solomon Brown, who founded the churches of Keeseville, EHza-
bethtown, Jay and Westport, is named as a delegate from the Essex Church
(at Brookfield) to the association held at Elizabethtown. The church then had
eleven members. Sixteen pastors have presided over her ecclesiastical coun-
cils : Solomon Brown, Jeremiah H. Dwyer, J. B. Wilkins, E. Goodspeed, E.
P. Adams, J. S. McColum, Charles Berry, Elias Hurlburt, C. Fisher, E. W.
Allen, W. Gussman, W. S. Bush, S. W. Nichols, J. R. Taylor, E. M. Lynch,
W. H. Stock. Her largest membership was attained in 1837, when it num-
bered one hundred and forty- three. Her present membership is about forty-
eight. Judge Charles Hatch's residence here from 1792 to 1804 has been
mentioned in a previous page.
Whallonsburgh. — Next in size to Essex, though last in the date of its ex-
istence as a village, is Whallonsburgh. R. A. Ferguson, who came to the
place in 1870 with his father, John Ferguson, describes it as being then an
unbroken forest. His father, a carpenter, struck the first blow to clear the
land and build the first dweUings and factories of the new settlement. He
came from .Washington county, N. Y., in the service of Reuben Whallon, who
had come from the same vicinity about two years before. Mr. Ferguson built
a saw-mill, just in the rear of the present site of William F. Blinn's store,
and a clothing factory near where the sash factory now is. The place grew
Town of Essex. 559
very gradually ; lumbering constituted the principal business of the inhabi-
tants. A. Hale soon built a grist-mill on the hill in the western part of the
village, and was soon followed by William Smith and James S. Whallon, who
erected a grist-mill which now forms the west end of the sash factory. Smith
& Whallon, not being contented with their milling profits, built a plaster factory
adjoining the grist-mill. This business throve mightily, teams frequently com-
ing from Vermont for loads of plaster. In 1 840 a fine forge existed here, built
by the proprietor, James S. Whallon. The clothing works and one grist-mill
were still running. William Smith, probably the first postmaster, had received
his appointment prior to 1825. James S. Whallon followed Smith, Lewis
Cady followed Whallon, and in about i860 Eli W. Rogers followed Cady.
Mr. Rogers has officiated uninterruptedly from that time to the present. The
industries now active in the village may be briefly noticed as follows : In 188 1
Edgar Chamberlain and Eugene, his brother, succeeded William H. Richard-
son in the manufacture of blinds and sashes. The business originated in 1869,
Samuel Root, William H. Richardson and V. C. Spencer being the first pro-
prietors. In 1872 Messrs. Root and Spencer withdrew. James S. Whallon
built the mill which was formerly used as a carding-mill. The Chamberlain
Brothers lease the premises of Samuel Root. They keep about fifteen hands
busy and can turn out about seventy doors in a day, and have made as many
as 1,500 pairs of blinds in a month.
The grist-mill now running in Whallonsburgh was built about 1830 by
James S. Whallon, soon after the former mill of Smith & Whallon had been
damaged beyond repair by a freshet. Jonathan Mather, the present owner,
has held the title for a great many years. John R. Mather superintends the
running of the mill.
F. J. Avery has been a general merchant here since 1870. He established
the business himself William F. Blinn started a store here in April, 1885.
John R. Mather is proprietor of a cabinet shop, and G. J. & J. G. Walker run
an extensive hay barn.
The village boasts a Union Church, which was organized not far from 1830.
The present edifice was erected before 1840, James S. Whallon contributing
most generously towards its construction. The Presbyterian and Methodist
clergymen at Essex preached here. Rev. Joel Fisk first officiated, and Rev.
Joseph T. Willet preached here for about thirteen years. They organized a
Sabbath-school almost at the beginning.
The present school-house was built in 185 1. Miss Mattie Stafibrd is the
present teacher. The district is extensive, and consequently the school always
has a large attendance.
56o History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XXXV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LEWIS.
THIS town was set off from Willsborough, April 4th, 1805, and derived its
name from Morgan Lewis, then governor of the State. In 1844 and 1854
its territory was diminished to increase the size of Elizabethtown. It lies
south of Jay and Chesterfield, west of Willsborough and Essex, north of Eliz-
abethtown, and east of Elizabethtown and Jay. Its surface is rough and bro-
ken by precipitous hills and narrow valleys and less than one-half of the terri-
tory embraced within the limits of the town is susceptible of cultivation. The
soil is composed largely of a sandy and gravelly loam. The northwestern part
is distinguished by. containing a portion of the Adirondack range of mountains,
prominent among its peaks being the McDonough mountain, and the south-
eastern is distinguished in like manner by possessing several isolated peaks of
the Boquet mountains. Mount Discovery in these mountains rises to an ele-
vation of about two thousand feet. The Boquet river flows into the southern
part of the town from Elizabethtown and after draining the southeastern por-
tion of Lewis, leaves it in a southeasterly direction, runs through the south-
western corner of Essex into Westport, where it shortly turns northerly, flows
again into Essex, and courses its way northerly and northeasterly into the lake
in Willsborough. (See description in Willsborough chapter.) The town has
not much of a history. Its most important industries, lumbering and iron
manufacturing, have either died out or are waning and there is not much of in-
cident in the career of its early settlers to interest the people of the present
day. The only village in the town, Lewis, contains fewer than two hundred
inhabitants. As before stated, the farming interest is not large, although small
tracts of its territory are extremely fertile, and to-day the town has little to
boast of except the genial disposition of its population, and the rugged beauty
of its hills and naked ravines.
In common with other towns in the northern and eastern parts of the
county it was settled before 1798. It is recorded that Thomas Hinckley, the
earliest settler, came to Lewis and made the first purchase in 1796. He located
north of the village and built a forge on the site of Stower's saw-mill. His sons
are Squire, Horatio, Rodolphus and Alexis.
Ishmael H. Holcomb located early about a mile west of the village. He
became quite noted as a political speaker, being endowed with rare native elo-
quence. He was a Federalist, held several offices and was a local political
leader. He was also prominent in the Presbyterian Church.
The first child born in the town was Oliver Holcomb. He lived his life
and died there.
Town of Lewis. 561
Deacon Asa Putnam was one of the early settlers, and afterward removed
to Essex. His two sons were Harrison and Hiram Putnam. He has a grand-
son now hving in Elizabethtown.
Charles, Samuel and Noah Lee came very early into the central part of
the town, on what was known as " Lee Hill." Three others of the same faqi-
ily also settled in the town ; their names are Seth, George and Timothy.
Appleton, Timothy and Hooker Woodruff, settled early about two miles
south of Lewis village on the Elizabethtown road. Appleton held the office
of deputy sheriff. One of Hooker's daughters married Orlando Kellogg, of
Elizabethtown, and another became the wife of James Livingston. Julius
Woodruff, son of Hooker, married Wealthy Livingston, sister of R. W. Living-
ston, now of Elizabethtown.
Ziba Westcott and Ziba Flagg were early settlers and raised families in the
town.
William Livingston came from Hebron, Washington county, in the fall of
18 1 7 and located about one and a half mile southeast of the village. His wife
was a daughter of Theophilus Tracy, of Granville, Washington county. In
the fall of 1828 he removed to Chautauqua county and remained fourteen
years, when he returned to Lewis and died there. His son John J. Living-
ston, lives near Philadelphia; James still lives in Lewis, and Robert W., for
many years editor of the Elizabethtown paper, is still living in that village.
A family by the name of Abell came into the town early, settling in the
north part. The sons were named Julius and Roswell.
Stephen Burpee was an early settler and left several sons who lived and
died in the town. They lived on " Lee " or, as it was sometimes called, " Bur-
pee " hill.
Samuel Bishop settled early half a mile southeast of the village and built a
mill there. He had a large family and died there.
" Deacon " Brown was an early settler and commanded a Lewis company
at the battle of Plattsburg. He located east of the village on the Boquet.
Near him was Asa Farnsworth who had a forge and a saw-mill.
Joel French came into the east part of the town as early as about 1820.
He was a respected farmer and left sons.
Levi Parsons taught the first school and subsequently went as a missionary
to Palestine; this was before 1820. He was much respected and died in the
East.
These constituted the majority of the early settlers in the town ; many of
whom migrated from Connecticut.
The first marriage in the town was that of Timothy Woodruff and Eunice
Newell, and the first death of an adult that of Mrs. John Smith.
In 1804 a rudimentary nucleus of a Congregational Church was organized,
and for a time the services of Rev. Mr. Burbank were secured. A Methodist
36
562 History of Essex County.
society had been formed in 1808. No permanent organization of any kind,
however, no business enterprise or financial investment which has been passed
down to the present day was estabhshed earlier than the second decade in
this century.
James G. Livingston, before mentioned and more familiarly known through-
out Lewis as "Deacon" Livingston, came here in the fall of 18 17 with his father,
William Livingston, who erected a small house on the same tract of land that
the " Deacon " now occupies, a little to the southwest of his present dwelling.
In 1822 they built the house now inhabited by the Livingston family. Deacon
Livingston has a distinct recollection of the state of business and society when
he first made his bow here. The land was covered with a dense primeval forest,
which had only begun to show signs of giving way before the sturdy blows of
the woodman's axe. Here and there a small clearing let the sunlight through to
the earth, and a log hut silently proclaimed the approach of civilization and the
concomitant dissolution of the wild and sterile government of nature which had
subsisted from the dim Laurentian period of the world's growth. The first in-
dustries, of course, were those first demanded by the necessities of the pioneers,
and were gradually superseded by the more extensive establishments which
everywhere testify to the indomitable discontent and sagacity of the human
mind. In 18 18 George Steele kept a store just across the street in an easterly
direction from Mr. Wilson's tavern in the village of Lewis. David Sykes was inn-
keeper in the same building now used as a hotel in Lewis. Those two buildings
and a dwelling house occupied by Reuben Armstrong, a clergyman, were the
only buildings in what is now properly the village of Lewis. A school-house
stood near the site of the cemetery, in which the Rev. Reuben Armstrong,
though not a settled pastor, occasionally exhorted the impenitent to turn back
from their unrighteousness. The Congregational Church was still existing.
The school was then in a flourishing condition (like the pedagogue's sceptre)
and pupils were in daily attendance from a distance of three miles. John J.
Livingston, brother of James G. Livingston, taught there in the winter of
1818-19. David Sykes was postmaster and had been for a number of years,
and continued in ofiice for some time after that. Lumbering had begun to be
quite a prominent business, the most extensive lumber merchant, probably, be-
ing Judge Charles Hatch, of Westport, who made large purchases of land in
and about Lewis. The store and tavern mentioned above were not the only
signs of life in the community in that early day. Samuel Bishop owned a
saw-mill and a grist-mill just east of the village, which did an active business
until they were swept off in a freshet in 1 830. There were two distilleries run-
ning in Lewis, one owned by Noah Lee near the present residence of Chaun-
cey Lee, and the other owned by Noah Lee's brother, Timothy, on what was
afterwards known as the " Gibbs place." There was no potash made here.
The roads were in good condition and had been constructed nearly as they are
Town of Lewis. . 563
to-day. By 1827 there had been something of a change here. John Du Che-
nois came here in that year, and he relates that there had then been erected a
a number of saw-mills, of which Squire Hinckley owned three. The mills of
Samuel Bishop were still running, the store and tavern still held out their se-
ductive allurements, the distillers still distilled ; one Williams had begun the
manufacture of potash* west of the village. The Congregational Church now
standing was just in process of construction but was not fully completed before
1830. Rev. Cyrus Comstock, who had been a frequent and welcome visitor
to the church ten years before, still made the sacred auditorium resound with
his monitory and persuasive utterances. Much of the face of the country was
still covered vi^ith magnificent pines, which were cut and taken to the mills op-
erated east of the village by John Gould, there sawed into lumber and shipped
to Troy and Albany. Squire Hinckley kept the post-office in 1827, at his
house in the north part of the village. He kept a store in the same building.
He was also, in company with his brother Ashael, proprietor of a hotel in the
village, and ran a two-fired forge where W. H. Stower's saw-mill now stands.
Squire Hinckley, it should be stated, was the owner and manager of this forge
also in 1 8 18. In 1830 he kept a store in the building now occupied by Albert
A. Boynton, and his faded sign is still faintly visible after weathering the sun
and rain of more than fifty years.
James L. Burpee was born in the town of Lewis in 1833. At the time of
his earhest recollection (1837-40) lumbering was still the chief of the industries.
Elijah Sherman was postmaster in the village of Lewis ; the school was much
larger than it is now, numbering more than one hundred pupils. The first
teacher Mr. Burpee remembers was a Mr. Morehouse. Rev. Orson P. Clinton
had become the settled pastor of the Congregational Church, and remained
here eight or ten years. Potash making and the necessity for distilleries were
then things of the past. There were three or four saw- mills in operation.
Elijah Sherman owned a large tannery and boot and shoe factory east of the
village.
It was in these early years, from about 1820 to 1830, that Joseph Call, the
Lewis giant, was in the zenith of his physical power. He was a mill-wright
by trade, and did a good deal of lumbering here. It is related that he was
double-jointed and had a double set of teeth. He was not more than six feet
in height, but was thick-set. He was particularly noted as a wrestler, and was
at different times engaged in matches in many parts of the world. The writer
has seen a watch formerly worn by Judge Henry H. Ross, of Essex, which
Call won in a wrestling match in Scotland nearly fifty years ago. The writer
has also seen a stick of timber fifty feet long and ten inches square, now form-
ing the plate of one of the stone stores in Essex, which it is said Call had
dragged with one end on his shoulder a distance of twenty rods, then up an
inclined staging to the top of the wall and laid thereon in its present position.
564 History of Essex County.
He was once matched against a British grenadier in Plattsburg. The grena-
dier, finding himself unequally matched with so powerful a wrestler, endeavored
to take Call's life, whereupon the giant actually crushed, the Briton between
his hands. Another anecdote related about Call is that a famous wrestler from
England had crossed the sea to challenge him, and being directed to his farm
found him at work plowing. He did not recognize his opponent in his home-
spun garments and inquired of him the way to Call's house. The plowman,
divining the mission of his visitor, raised his plow in one hand and pointed
with it to the house, a short distance away. ^ Call never received his challenge.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Lewis, the only village in the town of that name, has been historically set
forth in the early part of this chapter. It is situated about four miles and a
half north of the village of Elizabethtown, a little southwest of the center of
the town of Lewis. Its most important industry, and indeed the most impor-
tant in the town, is the forge owned and operated by William H. Stower.
The forge is really about three miles northeast of the village on a branch of
the Boquet river. It is a four-fired, hot-blast forge, and uses ore chiefly from
Moriah. It was erected not far from 1837 by Samuel Bishop, was owned and
worked a number of years by General William E. Merriam, subsequently by
his son, John L. Merriam, ■ and still later by W. H. Roberts. Mr. Stower
bought the property in 1864. Quite thorough explorations have been made
at different periods and several veins of ore discovered, which have been
opened to some extent, but there is little prospect of profitable mining within
the town. Mr. Stower is also the proprietor of an extensive saw-mill and but-
ter tub factory, which are operated together. The saw-mill was set in opera-
tion about eight years ago, and the butter tub factory started in the spring of
1884. Richard T. Esmond owns a grist-mill which he has just completed.
Mercantile. — M. N. Norton opened a store for the sale of general mer-
chandise, in November, 1881. He carries a stock of about $4,500 value.
Albert A. Boynton started a general store here in September, 1884. He esti-
mates the value of his stock on hand at about $2,500. W. Woodruff, dealer
in wet groceries, began business in January, 1885.
Hotel. — The hotel now occupied by Joseph Wilson was one of the first
buildings erected in the village of Lewis. It stood here some years before
1820. The earliest proprietor of whom we have any record is David Sykes,
who kept the house in 1818. After numerous changes in proprietorship, and
various vicissitudes incident to houses of this character, the business fell into
the hands of the present proprietor, Joseph Wilson, in the fall of 1884.
One of the first postmasters, if not the very first of the guild, was David
Sykes, who officiated for years before and years after 18 18. Squire Hinckley
1 R. W. Livingston, of Elizabethtown, is authority for the statement that many of the stories of
Call and his feats are mythical, although he was unquestionably r. giant in strength.
Town of Lewis. 565
followed him, and remained in office a long time. Arthur Derby, the present
postmaster, received his appointment in 1882.
Town Records. — The records of this town previous to about the year 1821
have been lost or destroyed, preventing our giving the first town officers and
other matters of early history. We have, however, obtained a Hstofthe
supervisors from the year 1818 to the present time; they are as follows : 18 18,
Ishmael H. Holcomb ; 1819-20, William Livingston ; 1 821, John Gibbs; 1822
to 1828 inclusive, Ishmael H. Holcomb; 1829-30, Selah Westcott; 1831 to
1833 inclusive, Ishmael H. Holcomb; 1834 to 1836 inclusive, Selah Westcott;
1837-38, Russell Gibbs; 1839, Selah Westcott; 1840-41, Russell Bailey;
1842 to 1844 inclusive, William S. Merriam ; 1845-46, Alanson Wilder ; 1847,
Lewis Sherman; 1848 to 1850 inclusive, WiUiam S. Merriam; 1851, George
Baker; 1852, William S. Merriam ; 1853, Alanson Wilder; 1854-55, George
W.Phelps; 1856, Oleander Marshall ; 1857, John L. Merriam ; 1858 to i860
inclusive, Cleander Marshall; 1861, William E. Roberts; 1862, Cleander Mar-
shall; 1863, W. H. Roberts; 1864, A. E. Kendall; 1865-66, William H.
Stower; 1867 to 1870 inclusive, James L. Burpee; 1871 to 1875 inclusive,
James W. Steele; 1876, James L. Burpee; 1877 to 1884 inclusive, James W.
Steele; 1885, Albert A. Boynton.
Population. — 1810,537; 1825, i,iOi ; 1830, 1,305; 1840,1,500; 1845,
1,681; 1850,2,058; 1855,1,803; 1860,1,807; 1865,1,774; 1870,1,724;
1875, 1,740; 1880, 1,774.
Following is a hst of the present officers of the town of Lewis, Essex
county : —
Supervisor — Albert A. Boynton.
Town clerk — Arthur F. Derby.
Justices of the peace — Arthur F. Derby, John McGuire, Levi G. Jenkins,
Aaron Gardner.
Assessors — Zachariah C. Beardsley, John F. Nichols, Orrin A. Smith.
Commissioner of highways — Richard Cross.
Collector — William H. Smith.
Overseer of the poor — Cyrus Severance.
Auditors — Lorenzo Burpee, George D. Cutting, William H. Marshall.
Inspectors of election — Alfred Keith, William Whipple, Alfred J. Sargent.
Constables — Edwin D. Denton, John W. Cutting, Morris E. Reynolds,
Louis Ladue, John J. Cross.
Excise commissioners — James McCalvin, Wellington Hynes, Friend A.
Cross.
5 66 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
history of the town of MORIAH. 1
THE town of Moriah lies upon the shore of Lake Champlain, south of the
center' of the shore line of the county, and is bounded on the north by
Westport and Elizabethtown ; on the east by Lake Champlain; south by
Crown Point, and on the west by North Hudson. Along the shore of the lake
is a strip of level land, which gradually rises to a height of about five hundred
feet as it recedes from the lake, forming a hilly feature of country, which in the
western portion rises into mountains.
In the vicinity of the lake the soil is a clayey loam, but in the hilly region
it becomes light and sandy in character, and still more sterile in the western
part. Not more than one-half of the surface is susceptible of profitable culti-
vation. In mineral deposits the town is very rich, and particularly in iron ore
of superior quality, which is mined and worked in many localities. Black lead
is also found, and a fine quality of serpentine.
Hammond and Pine ponds are situated in the southwest part and a portion
of Bull Pout pond in the northwest, with numerous other small ponds without
distinctive names, in other localities. The outlets of those in the western part
flow west into the Schroon river, while a number of small streams flow east-
ward from the central portions and empty into Lake Champlain. The large
estuary called Bulwagga bay extends southward out of the lake, forming the
historic Crown Point, which comprises a part of the town of that name.
The town was formed from Crown Point and Elizabethtown on the 1 2th
of February, i8o8. In 1828 a part was taken off and annexed to Newcornb,
and in 1848 another portion was annexed to North Hudson ; on April 9th,
1849, ^ P^rt of Westport was added to the town, since which date its bound-
aries have remained unchanged.
Early Settlements. — The first permanent settlements in this town were
made immediately following the close of the Revolutionary War ; a fact which
applies to nearly all of the towns in the 'county bordering the lake. Going
back beyond that struggle, however, it is known that Benjamin Porter was
granted the water power and site of what is now Port Henry village as early as
1766. It is believed that he erected a mill on the North brook soon after his set-
tlement, which was destroyed during the Revolution. After the war he returned
to his possession and in connection with Robert Lewis, of Albany, rebuilt his
mill. There were, either then or not long afterwards, a grist-mill and a saw-mill
I The reminiscences in the history of this town from Alexander McKenzie and David Sanford are
condensed from newspaper sketches written some years since by Rev. M. A. Munson, now of New
Haven, Conn.
Town of Moriah. 567
at this point. It is not now known whether Robert Lewis became a permanen
resident of the town ; but it is probable that he lived here for quite a period, as
he was granted a privilege to operate the first authorized ferry in the town on
the 3d, of April, 181 1, for a period of ten years. Of this old mill Alexander
McKenzie said, in 1873: "There was nothing at all at Port Henry in 1805
except a small house and a grist-mill. This mill stood above the bridge and
was owned by Robert Lewis, an Englishman. It was not worth much ; it
ground very slow. I guess I have been there on horseback four or five times
for one grist."
As to what became of Robert Lewis or his subsequent career there is no
existing record of which we have learned.
William McKenzie came into the town in 1785 and located in the southern
part of what is now the village of Port Henry. Upon his arrival he found no
white inhabitants, other than Mr. Lewis, but plenty of Indians of the St. Regis
and "Swagotchie" (Oswegatchie) tribes. Of the McKenzie family ample ma-
terials exist for extended mention, including much important early history, in
statements made by the late Alexander McKenzie, son of William, and pub-
lished in the Port Henry Journal in 1873, from which we shall make liberal
extracts. Speaking of the Indians above alluded to, Mr. McKenzie said : "Once a
canoe load of them came and hung their canoe over our garden fence. They
went off back into the woods ; then another load came and hung their canoe
on the fence and also went away into the woods. At length the last party
came back and were going to take the canoe belonging to the first party.
My mother forbade their doing so ; they swung their tomahawks, but she was
fearless and kept the canoe, driving them away with the cards with which she
was carding wool." Mr. McKenzie's father expressed the opinion that they
had killed the first party. The Indians who came there to hunt remained all
winter and sometimes through the spring ; they were very friendly. Bears,
deer, wolves and rattlesnakes were then very numerous in this region.
William McKenzie was in the service of his country and stationed at Crown
Point, where he was taken prisoner and carried to Ticonderog'a during the Rev-
olution. He had a sister who was one of the many victims of the small-pox
epidemic which raged in the army at Crown Point and was buried near the old
fort. Mr. McKenzie had seven sons and two daughters. Mr. McKenzie kept
a tavern, probably the first in town, which was the only public house between
there and Westport on the north and Addison on the south ; he also carried
on a farm and was the first justice of the peace, which gave him the popular
title of " 'Squire." He lived on the place where he settled until his death at
the age of fifty- six.
Alexander McKenzie was the first white child born in the town, his birth
occurring on the 22d of November, 1785. Lyman McKenzie, now living in
the town about a mile east of Moriah Corners, is his son. He took part in
S68 History of Essex County.
both the Plattsburg battles ; was a captain in 1812 and promoted to major,
which mihtary title he bore to his grave. He commanded three companies,
one of which, or the greater portion of it, was from Crown Point, one from
Moriah and one from Ticonderoga. It is said that there was but one man left
in Moriah after the orders came to march to Plattsburg. Said Major Mc-
Kenzie, " I think I had the nicest woman in the world for my first wife.
Lydia Edgerton was her name. Her father was a Congregational deacon.
He owned this farm [the one occupied by Major McKenzie in 1873] and set
out the apple trees. I bought the first little wagon (buggy) there was in town,
to carry my wife to meeting. My second wife was a Congregationalist, but
Elder More led her and her twin sister away into Baptist notions."
Major McKenzie formerly sailed a little "perryauger" on the lake between
St. Johns and Ticonderoga. In early days, as he stated, five dollars an acre
would buy land anywhere in the town, while he could have bought the site of
the new ore bed for a shilling an acre ; and the ore lay in plain sight, too.
People were then permitted to draw ore from the Cheever on sleds, as it was
deemed almost valueless. .
Among the other settlers who came into the town soon after the Revolution
were Abel Butler, who was a farmer, James McClane, Jabez Carpenter, G. H.
and John Havens, and Joseph Curtis. At a very early day, also, families by
the names of Hull, Keeler and Winslow settled southwest of the site of Mine-
ville.
William Sherman came to Moriah in 1803 and has now living three daugh-
ters settled in the town, on the present Davis farm. George and Caleb came
about the same time and settled on the road south of the Cornets on the re-
spective farms now in possession of Mrs. Hamden and Orin Stimpson.
Ambrose Mason at about the same time settled on the present James Lewis
farm. He was a man desiring notoriety and prominence in local affairs.
Thomas Winslow came in 1 805 and settled on a farm nearly west of Mine-
ville, and in 1807 Simeon Sanford settled on the next farm.
Calvin F. Trask was the first village blacksmith and had a shop just north
of the present residence of A. W. Smith.
Joseph Curtis came in 1804 and settled on the present Hartwell farm about
two miles south of the Corners.
Amasa Cook came in 1807 and settled on a farm where the present resi-
dence of George G. Roe is located. David Lowell came about the same time
and located near the present residence of Henry O. Lewis. Enoch and Eliakim
Reed came in 1804 and settled west of the Corners, near the present residence
of Coleman Reed, who is a son of Eliakim Reed. Cyrenius Reed, now living,
is a son of Enoch Reed.
John Richmond, Levi Northrup and Hezekiah Mason came together about
1808 and, being related, settled near each other on the present farms of Hardy
Curtis, John Harper and A. J. Stiles.
Alexander M'Kenzie.
Town of Moriah. 569
Alexander Spencer came to Port Henry about 1804, and about six years
afterwards settled and built a saw-mill at Moriah Centre, just east of the main
road to Mineville. This was the second saw-mill in town. Subsequently,
between Ensign pond and the lake, some twenty were built on the same
stream and were running at once.
John Lyon came from Vermont at an early date (not later than 1804) and
settled on the present Lyman McKenzie farm. He built the house in which
Geary Childs now lives. He was the first village doctor. There were no
roads at this time, being mostly foot-paths, with marked trees.
' William Joiner (who has a son, William Joiner, now living in Westport)
came to town about 1803 and lived on the present Theodore Joiner place, on
the south road. Jedediah Edgerton came from Powlet, Vt, about 1803 or
1804 and settled on the old Tarbell farm, now owned by Lyman McKenzie.
He planted the first orchard west of the lake shore and some of the trees are
now standing. He was the father and the first and leading deacon of the
Congregational Church. Services were then held in the old school-house
standing on or near the present academy lot. He owned the first house to
be found west of the lake shore. He was a man of great benevolence, kind-
hearted, and beloved by every one. He died in Fair Haven, Vt. He built
the present house owned by William Bigelow and set out the poplar trees now
standing. The first Mrs. Edgerton died in this house, April 21st, 1819.
George H. and John Havens came in 1806 and settled near the farm of
Samuel B. Sprague. Maynard Kidder came from Vermont about 1808 or
1809 and built the first tannery south of the village, on the place where the
present cider-mill of N. Spaulding now stands. The leather was used in
home consumption. Shoemakers went around from house to house ; also
tailors^ Two sons of Maynard Kidder (Edwin and Albert) are now residents
of the town.
James McLain came in 1808 and started a tavern and sold liquors. It was'
located in front of the site of the present Sherman House. He afterwards re-
moved to Vermont and was struck by lightning and killed.
The present roads were not laid out until after the battle of Plattsburg.
The State road through North Hudson, Schroon, etc., was laid out before the
war.
The foregoing notes of early settlements are given by Lyman McKenzie,
and embrace many of the prominent pioneers of the town. He further says
that the early settlers buried their dead on the plains on the plank road lead-
ing to Port Henry, east of the present burying-ground. Subsequently they
used the plat of ground on which the brick school-house of Moriah now stands.
It was not until about 18 18 or 18 19 that the present cemetery south of the
Corners was used.
The late David Sanford came to the town with his father, arriving on the
S70 History of Essex County.
6th of March, 1805. They located a little southwest of Mineville, on the farm
occupied until recently by Hardy Curtis. From his reminiscences, which, were
printed in the Port Henry Journal, it is learned that this region was then
covered with forest, with the exception of two or three acres, on which the
timber had been cut and the land burned over. The " west road " was not
laid out until some years later. A swampy road led from the west side to the
east road, entering it a little south of where Levi Reed lived. There was
a family living near the site of the Barton ore bed and another where
Deacon Sanford afterwards lived at Mineville, and another where Deacon
Reed lived. There was not a house between the Reed place and the lake.
At the Corners there was nothing but woods. About a mile west of the
Corners one family had settled, and some two miles farther west three or four
families had located. A few families were living on " Coot Hill," but none
between that neighborhood and the Corners. Indians still lingered in the
region or came here annually to hunt. In 1804 there were three or four
families of them living in a wigwam nearly west of Deacon Reed's, across the
swamp, at the edge of the dry lands. No religious meetings had yet been held
in the town ; but very soon after his arrival Deacon Sanford agreed with Jonas
Reed and Captain Edgerton to hold what they called " deacons' meetings,"
alternately in two unoccupied houses in the vicinity. These meetings were
maintained for ten years or more and were the forerunner of later religious
work and church building. The three men mentioned were Congregational-
ists, but the meetings were attended by Methodists and others without distinc-
tion of sect.
Maynard Kidder was one of the early settlers at the site of Moriah Corners.
He built the first tannery in the town, about half a mile south of the Corners ;
he operated it until about 1852. He was one of the men who took part in the
War of 1812. His son, Albert Kidder, now keeps a store at Moriah Corners,
and is a prominent man in the community.
Jonas Reed, already mentioned, was the first permanent resident of the
vicinity of Mineville. His brother Levi came in about 1820, at which time
there were not over half a dozen families on the site of the village. Milton and
Levi Reed, twin brothers, are sons of Jonas and still live at Mineville. At this
time (1820) the post-office for the entire town was at Moriah Corners, where
it continued several years later.
It appears that a considerable number of the families who located in this
town previous to 18 10, and their descendants in instances where they had any,
have disappeared, either by death or removal to distant points, and there is
, little now that it is possible to learn regarding them. The growth of the town
in population down to about the end of the first quarter of the present century
was not very rapid, and will be further traced in our details of the villages,
hamlets and industries of the town.
Town of Moriah. 571
The pioneers hereabouts shared with their brethren in other localities ia
the hardships of early life in the wilderness, and experienced all of the diffi-
culties in obtaining a living under discouraging circumstances of various kinds.,
Money was almost beyond reach of the most ambitious, and the settlers were
forced to turn their energies to the production of whatever would be accepted ;
by the early merchants in exchange for household necessities. The manufact-
ure of potash supplied one of the important early substitutes for money and
was carried on in this town to a considerable extent in the early years of the
century. Solomon Everest manufactured it at Moriah Corners ; it was also
manufactured at Cedar Point; the remains of the leaches being just south of'
William Flinn's house in 1838. Nathaniel S. Storrs also dealt in the article,
and there was a ready market for ashes in their crude state, and for their prod-
ucts which was of great benefit to the inhabitants. The manufacture of maple
■sugar was also followed by a good many, both to obtain sweets for their own
households and for market in exchange for other groceries.
But for all these discouragements, the town grew and the inhabitants pros-
pered each after his deserts ; and no untoward event occurred until the cold
season of 18 16— 17. This famous and disastrous year seems to have come upon
the people hereabouts with especial severity, and many families found it ex-
tremely difficult to obtain sustenance. It is related that, after the farmers had
planted their potatoes in the spring of 18 17, the suffering was so great in some
instances that they dug up the seed potatoes and ate them. Mr. McKenzie
related an incident of a carpenter — one of the best workmen in the town —
who was so pressed by his circumstances that he was willing to work for him a
week for his board and a bushel of wheat. These are only indications of the
prevailing destitution and suffering for the commonest necessaries — a destitu-
tion that would be impossible in these days of rapid transportation, when a
scarcity in one section of the country can be immediately supplied from another
which has been more fortunate.
When the country was plunged into civil war and called upon her sons to
come forward and offer their lives and their wealth for the preservation of the
Republic, this town was one of the first and most liberal to respond. Early
in the Rebellion a subscription was started for the care and support of families
of soldiers, and some $20,000 were pledged ; the subscribers to this fund bore
heavy assessments which were paid to A. B. Waldo as treasurer. For details
of the part the town took in the war the reader is referred to the chapter de-
voted to the military history of the county.
Town Records. — The first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday in
April, 1808, and the following officers elected : Supervisor, William McKenzie ;
town clerk, Nathan Sherman ; assessors, George Sherman, Robert Lewis, Jed-
ediah Edgerton ; collector, Theron Smith ; poor masters, Jedediah Edgerton,
Captain Martin Joiner ; commissioners of highways, Caleb Sherman, Jedediah
572 History of Essex County.
Edgerton, Ambrose Mason ; constables, Theron Smith, James McLean ; fence
viewers, Thomas Winslow, William Sherman, Jedediah Edgerton, George H.
Hawkins ; pound master, Calvin F. Trask ; pathmasters (ten districts), Joseph
Curtis, Peter Lewis, William Sherman, Theron Smith, Amasa Cook, Simeon
Sanford, David Lowell, Enoch Reed.
These officers were sworn in by William McKenzie as justice of the peace.
At this first meeting it was voted that " four and one-half feet in height
shall be a lawful fence. Horn cattle only shall be free commoners ; horses,
hogs and sheep shall not be free commoners." Five dollars were voted to buy
a town book, and the next meeting was ordered held at the house of James
McLain.
The commissioners of excise for the town of Moriah, " on the forth day of
May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve, Ly-
cenced William McKenzie, Ambrose Mason, Edmun Farnsworth, Alexander
Spencer to keep inns or Taverns in the Houses in which they Severly Reside,
also Reed Edgerton to Retail Spirits under five gallons all of whom for five
dollars each and Paid the lycence money over to the overseers of the Poor on
the above date and commissioners for said town.
" Records keept by William Joiner.
"John Richmond,
" John Lyon,
" William -Joiner."
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation to the
present time with the respective years of service : 1809— ID, George Sherman ;
181 1, (records gone) ; 1812-13, John Richmond ; 1814-15, John Lyon ; 1816
to 18 1 8 inclusive, Nathan Sherman; 18 19, Gardner I. Barker; 1820-21, Na-
than Sherman ; 1822, Gardner I. Barker ; 1823, Nathan Sherman; 1824-25,
Gardner I. Barker; 1826 to 1828 inclusive, Nathaniel S. Storrs ; 1829, Alex-
ander McKenzie ; 1830 to 1832 inclusive, Nathan Sherman ; 1833-34, Solo-
momon Everest ; 1835, James Greene; 1836-37, George Sherman ;• 1838,
James Greene; 1839, Hiram McKenzie; 1840, George Sherman; 1 841, Jere-
miah Cook ; 1842, Lucius Olcutt; 1843, George W. Goff; 1844, John E. Mc-
Vine; 1845, George W. Goff; 1846, Hiram McKenzie; 1847, B. W. Dewey;
1848, J. Tarbeil ; 1849-50, Timothy Olcutt ; 1851-52, James P. Butler ; 1853,
Kingsley Sherman ; 1854-55, Jacob Tappan ; 1856 to 1858 inclusive, Arte-
mas B.Waldo; 1859 to 1861 inclusive, William H. Stone; 1862, Leander
Lee; 1863, Clark Butterfield; 1864, Walter Merrill; 1865-66, A. B. Waldo;
1867, George T. McKenzie; 1868, William Edgerley ; 1869-70, Franklin W.
Tobey; 1871 to 1875 inclusive, Edward F. Edgerley; 1876-77, George Mur-
dock ; 1878, S. S. Olcott; 1879, Wallace T. Foote; 1 880-1 881, Rollin L. Jen-
kins; 1882 and to the present time, John W. Whitehead.
The present officers of the town are as follows : Supervisor, John W. White-
Town of Moriah. 573
head; town clerk, Kingsley C. Morhous; collector, George B. Stimpson ; jus-
tices, Chauncey D. Bullis, James Saville, Benjamin F. Beers, Lemuel B. Tread-
way ; assessors, Seward A. Foot, Marcellus W. Dean, Andrew J. Stiles ; com-
missioner of highways, William Hulburd ; overseers of the poor, George E.
Lamb, John Tart ; inspectors of election, L. Warren Pratt, Edward J. Owen,
Thomas McCabe, Francis A. Price, William C. TurnbuU, B. Warren Severance,
Willard E. Colvin, John Kelley, John Burke ; auditors, Oscar H. Wheelock,
Duchesne O. C. Edson, John Moon ; constables, Edwin A. Bolles, John Hill,
Charles Sanders, Samuel H. Donnell, William E. Reed.
The population of the town in 1850 was 3,065 ; in 1855, 3,120; in i860,
3,466; in 1865, 4,640; in 1870, 4,683; in 1875, 7,881 ; in 1880, 7,379.
Physicians. — Dr. Cheney practiced the medical profession in Port Henry
before 1850, and in 1851 Dr. R. E. Warner came h^re and bought the prac-
tice of Dr. Cheney, opening his office in his dwelling. This is now one of the
oldest houses in the place and was formerly the residence of Judge McVine,
one of the early judges of the county. Dr. Warner died in 1883 and at the
time of his death was one of the oldest practitioners in the county.
Dr. C. A. Hopper was graduated from the medical department of the Uni-
versity of New York in 1868 and moved to Port Henry in 1872, from Alle-
ghany county, N. Y. ; he has continued practice here since.
Dr. C. B. Warner, son of Dr. R. E. Warner, studied his profession in Belle-
vue Hospital, New York city, and began practice in company with his father
in 1880; they remained associated until the elder physician's death in 1883,
since which date he has continued alone.
Dr. A. C. Grover was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1866.
He was for some years engaged in practice in Wells, Vt. In 1884 he came to
Port Henry and associated himself with Dr. Hopper in practice and in the
drug business.
The dental profession is represented in the town by Dr. G. E. Lamb, who
came from Burlington, Vt., to Port Henry in 1871 and has continued here
since.
Dr. E. F. Edgerly came to the town immediately after the close of the late
war and located at Mineville where he has since been in successful practice.
He is a graduate of the Albany Medical College.
Dr. Robert Saville is a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College and
has been in practice at Mineville several years.
Dr. B. W. Burland received his medical education at McGill College in
Montreal and began practice at Mineville in July, 1882.
Dr. George W. Powel began practice at Moriah Corners in 1876. He re-
ceived his medical education at the Detroit Homeopathic College in 1874.
Attorneys. — In 1847 A. B.Waldo began the practice of law in Port
Henry, and about 1862 formed a partnership with F. W. Tobey. From 1872
574 History of Essex County.
to 1874 B. M. Beckwith was a member of the firm, and at the last named date
M. D. Grover was admitted, the firm continuing as Waldo, Tobey & Grover
until 1879, when Mr. Tobey died. Since then the firm has remained as at
present, Waldo & Grover. Mr. Waldo was' district-attorney fi-om 1862 to 1865 ;
he studied his profession in Granville, Washington county; Mr. Grover in
Vermont.
W. H. Carr read law with Waldo & Tobey for three years and was admit-
ted to the bar at Schenectady in November, 1873 ; he began practice in Port
Henry in the same year.
P. C. McRory studied in the office of Waldo & Tobey and was admitted
to the bar of Saratoga county in September, 1876; he began practice in Port
Henry in the following year.
Chester B. McLaughlin studied law with B. B. Bishop and was admitted to
the bar September, 1881. He was first associated in business with the late
James W. Sheehy in Port Henry. After the death of Mr. Sheehy he became
and is now a partner in the firm of Waldo & Grover. Mr. McLaughlin is a
graduate of the University of Vermont and is now school commissioner for the
second district, Essex county, filling his second term.
B. F. Beers studied his profession in the office of Waldo, Tobey & Grover,
and was admitted to the bar at Albany in January, 1880. In 1881 he began
practice in Port Henry.
K. C. Morhous studied with B. B. Bishop, of Moriah Corners, and entered
the Albany Law School, from which he was admitted to the bar in that city in
January, 1883. In the following year he began practice in Port Henry in the
office of B. F. Beers.
B. B. Bishop began the practice of law at Moriah Corners in 1883, having
been admitted to the bar at Plattsburg in 1861 ; previous to that date he had
studied in the office of A. B. Waldo at Port Henry and with Kellogg & Abel
at Elizabethtown.
George W. Watkins has practiced in Moriah Corners since 1876. He stud-
ied with Waldo & Tobey, of Port Henry.
The Lumber Interest. — We have mentioned the early mills on the North
brook built by Robert Lewis early in the settlement of the town. They have
long ago passed into oblivion. Mills were built at a later date about on the same
site by Jacob Miller ; this was about the year 18 17. These were operated until
about 1830, or a Httle later and then fell into decay and were not rebuilt. The
territory in this town was originally covered with a heavy growth of forest com-
posed principally of pine, hemlock, spruce, maple and beech. To cut this
timber was necessarily the first work of the pioneers ; a necessity before the
land could be used for tillage and because it gave to the settlers a source of in-
come at a time when money was scarce and the means of obtaining it scarcer.
Lumbering became for a long period the chief industry, as it has been in most
Town of Moriah. 575
of the towns of the county, and saw-mills sprang up like magic. In early days
large quantities of timber were cut and rafted down the lake to Quebec and in
later years, after the opening of the Champlain canal, the saw- mills of the town
were kept busy and their heavy products taken in boats through the canal to
southern markets. John and Bryant Bartlett had an early saw-mill near Mine-
ville, and another was operated on Mill brook, at Moriah Centre, by Heze-
kiah Mason. t
In 1833 it is said that there were thirty-six saw- mills running in the town ;
of course it is impracticable to locate them all. The docks were built at Port
Henry after 1820, and greatly facilitated the shipment of lumber at that point.
Heman F. Barton operated a saw-mill at Moriah Center as early as i860, and
at the present time has two mills at the same place. L. L. Reed now runs a
steam saw- mill, started in the fall of 1884, at Moriah Cejiter. Moriah Corners
was formerly the lumber center of the town ; but as the timber became re-
duced in quantity, and the iron industry assumed considerable importance, the
lumber traffic gradually declined, and at the present time there are but few
mills in the town.
The Iron Interest. — The mining and working of iron is and long has been
by far the most important branch of industry in this town. The Moriah iron
district is the most exte.nsive in the county, while its proximity to the lake and
the comparative accessibility of the mines, and ease of transportation of ores
from the mines, rendered its successful and profitable development a question
only of energy and capital ; both of these have been forthcoming and the re-
sult has been a series of mining operations and attendant enterprises connected
with the working of the ore, the magnitude of which is little known and appre-
ciated out of the immediate vicinity. Numerous mines and shafts have been
opened and worked to an enormous extent, and while in some localities the
veins are partially or entirely exhausted, in others new developments have been
made, indicating that the supply is practically unlimited. The iron industry
of the country at large is, just at the present time, in a depressed condition,
in which the interests of Moriah sympathize ; but this is only temporary, and
the ore and the furnaces await the revival of demand which will renew the cus-
tomary activity in the town. We shall briefly describe the different branches
of the iron industry in this district.
The Cheever Ore Bed. — This bed, the oldest in the town, is situated about
one and a half miles north of the village of Port Henry. A knowledge of the
existence of ore at this point has existed since the first settlement of the region.
The late Alexander McKenzie, who was born in the town in 1785, remem-
bered the existence of ore here in his early childhood ; it cropped out on the
surface of the ground to such an extent as to attract the attention of a casual
observer. Ore is known to have been taken from the bed in 1804, but in small
quantities, and the matter then attracted but little attention. In about the year
576 History of Essex County.
1820 the bed was leased to Charles Fisher, at a rent of two gross tons of
bloom iron per annum ; this iron was then worth about one hundred dollars a
ton. Not long after this the title passed to one John Coates, to whom Dr.
Abijah Cheever, as guardian of minor children, had loaned some funds. Dr.
'. Cheever was subsequently forced to accept the property either in payment or
as security for the debt. Dr. Cheever did not appreciate the almost priceless
value of his-acquisition, nor did the community about him ; for he pressed it
upon the market at a merely nominal price, and finally sold it in the year 1838,
to Horace Grey, of Boston, for $5,000. In 1840 Mr. Grey transferred his in-
terest to the Port Henry Iron Company, from which he leased in 1846 the fur-
nace property and the Cheever bed. In the fall of 1852 Benjamin T. Reed,
of Boston, purchased the property of the Port Henry Iron Company (see his-
tory of that company), and in the next year transferred the ore bed to the
Cheever Ore Bed Company, composed of B. T. Reed, Samuel Hooper, R. W.
Hooper, of Boston, and Joseph Tuckerman and Lucius Tuckerman, of New
York city. From 1853 onward to 1884 the bed was vigorously worked, and it
is estimated that during this period one and a half million tons of ore were
taken from it. The ore was of great value and purity, needed no separating
and worked into the best of iron. Following is its analysis : —
, Proto and peroxide of iron .90.54
Phosphate of lime 3.80
Amphibole 2.80
Silicic acid 1,60
Pilanferous iron- 1.26
100.00
The main vein is fully half a mile in length and with an average width of
of about ten feet ; it is now considered as about exhausted.
The Goff Bed — This bed is near the site of the Cheever and its ore is sim-
ilar in character. It is near the lake shore and was opened in 1845 ^nd owned
by Lucius A. Foote, then by Hon. George W. Goff; it finally, about 1865,
passed into possession of the Champlain Ore and Furnace Company and from
them its ownership passed to private hands ; it was abandoned some years ago.
Port Henry Ore Bed — This bed is located in a ravine about a mile west of
the Cheever. It was owned by George B. Pease and is now a part of that
estate. It was not of great value and has been abandoned for a number of
years.
Pilfershire, or Cleveland Mine — This was formerly known as the Sherman
bed, and was later in possession of a company in Cleveland, Ohio, known as
the Lake Champlain Mining Company. Eight to ten thousand tons annually
were taken from it for a few years just previous to 1870 ; but it was abandoned
not long afterward.
Jonathan G. Withekbee.
Town of Moriah. 577
The territory embraced in what was appropriately designated the Iron Ore
Tract, surveyed in 18 10, was laid out in lots with consecutive numbers. The
presence of the iron ore disturbed the needle during the survey, and particu-
larly along the common lines of lots 21, 23, 24, and 25. Openings were not
made on these lots until about 1824, although ore had been found ten years
eariier on lot Number 25. ' It is on this lot that is situated the
Old Sanford Bed — It is located at what is now Mineville, and is also
known as bed Number 25. Concerning this bed it will not be out of place to
quote from the statements of the late Alexander McKenzie, as follows: "A
good many chunks of ore were found on the top of the ground about 1823—24
and 1825. Didn't know that there was any ore beneath the surface. It was
thought strange that there should be ore in chunks along on the ridge, but none
below on the hillside. A man named Bishop, of Elizabethtown, came to Deacon
Sanford and bought at a venture a quarter interest in a lot of one hundred and
ninety acres, and a brother of Mr. Sherman bought another quarter. This lot
embraced the Old Bed (twenty-five). They dug a hole down eight or nine feet
deep ; full of fine ore. They tried in another place. There was a chunk of
ore which was a foot or eighteen inches in diameter ; they dug around it ; the
weight of it might be two or three hundred pounds. They dug down half a
foot and came to ore again. They kept digging and enlarging till a surface
was exposed of three or four yards in diameter. While they were about it
men said, ' You needn't dig any more there ; it is contrary to philosophy ;
this ore that is found must have come from above ; it wouldn't work up hill.'
But they kept on till they had got a rod or two uncovered, and then began to
blast. Deacon Sanford was occupied with mining for twenty years ; owned
half of the property for that period."
The gentlemen referred to by Mr. McKenzie as associated with Deacon
Sanford were Harry Sherman and Elijah Bishop, and their operations were
begun on the northeast corner of the lot and resulted in the opening of the old
Sanford bed, a source of vast quantities of valuable ore. The ore was first
tried in a blast furnace at Port Henry in 1834, but this experiment, owing to
injudicious management, was unsuccessful. Two years later G. W. Goff mixed
some of the lean ore, which had been thrown out and sold to him at fifty cents
a ton, with the Cheever ore and it produced good iron. In the spring of 1846
the property came into the possession of John A. Lee, George Sherman and
Eliphalet Hall. The latter sold his interest in the same year to A. J. Rosseau,
of Troy, who transferred it in 1849 to S. H. and J. G. Witherbee. From this
has developed the powerful firm of Witherbees, Sherman & Company, with its
vast interests, which will be further detailed as we proceed. In the early
working of this bed, teams were driven into it and wagons loaded beside the
breast ; the breast worked was then about eighty feet in extent, and a single
blast frequently threw out thirty tons of pure ore. Another breast of ninety-
37
578 History of Essex County.
nine feet was worked. Various shafts were opened in the bed from time to
time, until now eight separate openings are worked according with the demand.
The ore is hoisted in cars, two tons to each load, by steam power, through the
agency of drums and wire cables. Walter Tefft was superintendent of these
works from about 1858, and was succeeded by his son, William H. Tefft, in
January, 1885 ; from one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty men are
employed here. The analysis of the ore is as follows : —
Metallic iron 72.09
Insoluble silicious matter 34
Phosphorus 01
Oxygen and moisture 27.56
100.00
This company (Witherbees, Sherman & Co.) also work what is known as
the New Bed, which is situated about half a mile west of the Old Bed on lot No.
24. Bessemer ore of excellent quality is taken out of six or seven separate
openings. About forty men are now employed at this bed. This bed was
first practically worked in 1845 ^nd it came into possession of S. H. & J. G.
Witherbee in 1849. The analysis of the ore is as follows: —
Pure metallic iron 7I-I9
Insoluble silicious matter 1.12
Phosphorus a trace
Oxygen and moisture 27.69
Writing of the ore of this bed and its product in 1868-69 Mr. Watson said :
" About one-third of this ore requires separating. It is inclined to be red
short and when mixed with the ore of the Old Bed produces a neutral ^ iron of
exceeding tenacity. The pure ore from this bed is pronounced by those inter-
ested to be the richest ore known to exist in this country. The bed is worked
by methods similar to those adopted at the Old Bed.
In about 1880-81 Lewis H. Roe, of Port Henry, and James Hull, of Al-
bany, sank a shaft upon the adjoining lot west of the New Bed and struck one
of the New Bed veins. They sold this property to the Lake Champlain Ore
Company. The majority of the stock was afterwards purchased by Witherbees,
Sherman ,& Company, who now operate the mine through the openings upon
the New Bed lot. The ore upon the New Bed is about exhausted.
The O'Neil shaft, so called, is also worked by Witherbees, Sherman &
Company ; it is situated on the west part of lot 47, just west of the Cooke
shaft, of which it is really a continuation. This property was formerly owned
by James O'Neil, now deceased. Previous to his death he leased the lot to J.
1 Red or hot short iron is ductile when cold, but extremely brittle when heated, a. defect caused by
the presence of a small quantity of sulphur. ' Cold short iron is ductile when hot, but brittle when cold ;
caused by a small quantity of phosphorus. Neutral iron is exempt from both of these defects.
Town of Moriah. 579
B. Foltz & Company, who, provided they sank a shaft and discovered ore
within a given time, were to have a deed of a one-half interest in the ore. In
December, 1880, Witherbees, Sherman & Company bought the Foltz interest,
and continued work upon the shaft. It was not completed within the time
stipulated in the contract between O'Neil and Foltz, and the time was verbally
extended. The work then went on to completion (1884) and the ore was de-
veloped. The shaft is 670 feet deep, vertically, with a slope of 300 feet far-
ther ; it is the deepest in this part of the country. The shaft is now being
worked by the firm, who employ there about twenty men. The ore is similar
in character to that taken from the Cook, or Smith, shaft, elsewhere described.
The firm of Witherbees, Sherman & Company have iron interests in other
organizations, to which we shall allude, and carry on altogether a vast busi-
ness, employing at times from seven to eight hundred men. Their magnifi-
cent office in Port Henry was erected in 1874 and first occupied on the 1st of
June, 1875. It is thirty-five feet in front and sixty feet deep, and cost, includ-
ing its furniture, $20,000.
The Cook, or M. P. Smith Shaft. — The bed connected with this shaft is
situated on lot No. 47, Iron Ore Tract, and adjoining the O'Neil property above
described. Several early attempts were made to develop this shaft, continuing
over a period of some fifteen years previous to that made by Mr. Smith. The
lot was then owned by Patrick Cook, and Mr. Smith with an associate made
arrangements with the owner to open the mine ; for their services and disburse-
ments they were to receive a conveyance of two-thirds of the property. The
following description of their persevering labors is given by Mr. Watson :
"They commenced their labor, and following the indications of the magnet exca-
vated a shaft ten feet square through a hundred feet of earth without finding any
additional indications of ore. Here they struck hard pan, but undeterred by
these adverse results, they persisted with unabated zeal. At length they reached
and passed through a very thin vein of ore, and this the croakers pronounced
the cause of the attraction. But Mr. Smith, wisely judging the deposit too
small to have produced effects so powerful, and with unyielding confidence \\\
the assurances of the needle continued the excavation, and after penetrating
through rock and hard pan eighty feet farther he revealed a fourteen-feet vein
of ore of the first quahty." The mine was opened in June, 1866, and produced
the first year eight thousand tons of ore. The property finally passed into
possession of H. G. Burleigh, who was largely instrumental in organizing in
r884 the Champlain Ore Company. This company bought out the Lake Cham-
plain Ore and Iron Company (see history of Elizabethtown), and now operate
the Smith mine. The present officers of the company are H. G. Burleigh,
president; B. W. Burleigh, James Morrison, Thomas Caldwell and A. B. Waldo,
trustees. The capital stock is $350,000. The Messrs. Burleigh have set up a
claim to the O'Neil shaft, before described, based upon rights secured from the
58o History of Essex County.
O'Neil heirs and the invalidity of the verbal permit of extended time given to
Witherbees, Sherman & Company, in which to complete the shaft, as before
noticed. This has led to litigation, and the matter is now in the courts.
The Port Henry Iron Ore Company. — This is a powerful organization
whose interests are largely in the vicinity of Mineville. One of its beds is
located on lot No. 2i and was formerly (1829) owned by Jonas Reed and Elias
Smith, of Moriah, and Allen Smith, of Addison, Vt. ; they had purchased it of
the original proprietors for a merely nominal sum. The latter soon sold his
interest for $125 and Sanford, Bishop & Sherman, with a view of avoiding
competition, secured title to a rtlajority of the different interests in the prop-
erty, paying therefore " five hundred tons of old bed ore in the ground."
The bed was then idle until 1846 when it came into possession of Storrs &
Rosseau ; the actual opening and working of the mine dates from this event.
Operations in the shaft were renewed and after sinking it about thirty feet the
ore was struck. Considerable ore was raised and in 1853 Storrs & Rosseau
conveyed their interest to the American Mineral Company, who erected ex-
tensive separating works for the purpose of extracting the phosphates from the
ore, for the separation of the latter for market. They did not succeed in
obtaining phosphates of sufficient purity for agricultural .purposes and the
scheme was relinquished. The mine passed to the Port Henry Iron Ore Com-
pany in 1864.
In the year 1824 Jeremiah Cook, then owner of lot No. 23, began an ex-
ploration on the line between that lot and No. 25, the mine on the latter then
being in process of development. He associated with himself Solomon and
Hiram Everest, to whom he sold one-half of his interest for two hundred dol-
lars. An opening was made and interests in the mine as small as one-six-
teenth were disposed of on a basis of a four thousand dollar valuation for the
whole mine. A majority of these shares were secured by A. J. Rosseau, the
partner of Mr. Storrs. The old pit was opened, as stated, and the Brinsmade
shaft on the same lot in 1865. A shaft was opened on lot No. 24 in 1845,
but not extensively worked untii 1864. The ores from these shafts were used
in forges, furnaces and rolling-mills and was similar in character to that taken
out on lot No. 25. These shafts and mines are now a part of the large inter-
ests of the Port Henry Iron Ore Company.
Another mining property which now forms a part of the Port Henry
Iron Company's interest is the Fisher Hill bed. This mine was opened very
early in the history of iron production in the town by Mr. Fisher and sold by
him to Eliphalet Hall. A long period of sharply contested litigation followed,
which was ultimately settled by compromise, and the mine was sold in 1863
for $75, 000 to a company of eastern capitalists, from whom it was acquired
by the present company. The mine is situated about a mile north of Mine-
ville, and now comprises six shafts of 600 to 800 feet, and the vein is from eight
to fourteen feet.
Town of Moriah. 581
This company control in all eight different slopes and four mines, No. 21
being " the mother of them all." This one is developed for a thousand feet
and the end is not yet.
The Welch shaft, about forty-four feet in width and connecting with the
Brinsmade shaft, opens into this vein ; the same may be said of the Nolan
shaft. The company has at some periods of its history employed nearly eight
hundred men and with the firm of Witherbees, Sherman & Company, controls
the larger part of the iron interest of the town. As much as 192,000 tons of
ore have been got out by the company in one year, and about the same quan-
tity by the other firm. Machinery was put in in 1878, using compressed air
for drilling and hoisting, two engines of one hundred and fifty horse-power
being employed. The works are lighted by electricity, from their own dyna-
mos, producing twelve lights. W. Boardman Reed is the mining engineer and
George. G. Roe superintendent at the mine works. He has occupied this
position since i860. Of course the interests of the company aie suffering with
the depression of the iron trade at large existing at the present time ; but this
condition of its business is, doubtless, but temporary.
The Cedar Point Iron Company was organized in 1872 and erected its fur-
nace No. I in 1872-3, at a cost of about $600,000 ; it was first put in blast on
the I2th of August, 1875. It is 71 by 15 feet, has four 22-feet Whitwell
stoves, bell and hopper top ; the fuel us6d is anthracite and coke, and the ores
Old Bed, Lake Champlain, New Bed, Bessemer, Kearney from St. Lawrence
county and Manhattan hematite. The product is foundry, mill and Bessemer
pig iron. The annual capacity is 26,000 net tons. The capital stock of the
company was placed at $500,000. In the spring of 1885 this corporation
passed into possession of Witherbees, Sherman & Company, but the company
still retains its distinct charter, the firm merely owning a majority of the Stock.
The present officers of the company are, Silas H. Witherbee, president ;
George R. Sherman, vice-president ; H. B. Wiilard, secretary and treasurer;
T. F. Witherbee, superintendent. The furnace is located on the shore of the
lake.
The Bay State Iron Company. — This is another of the representative iron
companies of this town which has done its share in developing the industry to
its present magnitude. One part of the property is the
Barton Bed. — It is located on lot No. 34, of the iron ore tract, a little north
of the " New Bed " which we have described. It was opened before 1840
and was formerly owned by Caleb D. Barton. In 1863 the mine was pur-
chased by the Port Henry Furnace Company (whose other interests have also
been acquired by the present Bay State Company). The ore from this bed
has been largely used in the production of pig iron. The following is its anal-
ysis : —
5 82 History of Essex County.
Magnetic oxide of iron .5 1.4 1 8
Oxide magnesia, trace
Titanic acid 0. 1 10
Aluminum, , 0.329
Magnesia, 0.159
Lime, 0.498
Silicic acid (quartz with a very little hornblende,) 47.483
Phosphoric acid, O.050
Sulphur 0.003
10.000
The principal business of the Bay State Iron Company has been the ope-
ration of furnaces. Major James Dalliba, who was formerly in the regular
army, in connection with Hon. John D. Dickinson, of Troy, erected ihe first
furnace in the town of Moriah about the year 1822, and continued in the bus-
iness until his death in 1833. His furnace was a small affair in comparison
with those of the present day, and yielded a product of only fifteen to eight-
een tons of iron a week. The ore used by him was obtained from a vein near
his furnace, from another about three-fourths of a mile distant and some from
Vermont. His furnace was located on the site of the present foundry
of the company. His iron was 93ld in Troy until about 1827, when
he abandoned the manufacture of pig iron and began making stoves and hol-
low ware. When Major Dalliba died the works passed into possession of Ste-
phen S. Keyes, who retained the property but a short time and sold to
Lansing, Powell & Tarbell (Jacob D. Lansing, Henry M. T. Powell, David
Tarbell). On the 21st of February, 1836, Tarbell sold to his partners and the
firm -became Lansing & Powell. They were succeeded on the first of January,
1838, by George W. Goff", who sold on the 31st of the same month to Horace
Gray. The Port Henry Iron Company (now obsolete) was organized in 1840
and in November of that year Gray sold his property to that company. It
was next transferred in 1852 to Benjamin T. Reed, of Boston, including the
Cheever ore bed, which the company had acquired. In June, 1853, the fur-
naces were transferred to the Port Henry Furnaces, and the ore bed to the
Cheever Ore Bed Company, two distinct organizations. In July, 1867, the
Port Henry Furnaces Company transfeiTed its property to the Bay State Iron
Company, a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Massachusetts,
its business being located at South Boston. In 1853 the old charcoal furnaces
were removed and an anthracite coal furnace substituted, with water as the
motive power. In the next year a new furnace was erected on the margin of
the lake near the former structure of Powell & Lansing. In 1854 the first iron
stack of this particular kind in this country, if not in the world, was erected under
the direction of W. T. Foote, the present agent of the company. This iron fur-
nace idea as here carried out was conceived by Ralph Crooker and Abial Elliot,
Town of Moriah. 583
of Boston. The furnace has an outer casing or shell of boiler iron riveted to-
gether and standing upon plates supported by cast iron columns. It is forty-
six feet high, sixteen feet in diameter at the top of the boshes, eight feet at
the top of the furnace, and is blown through five tuyeres, by steam power.
Another furnace was completed in 1862 on a similar plan and same size. Both
furnaces were rebuilt in 1866 and '6^ and each made 56 feet high by 16 feet
diameter. The tops were closed with bell and hopper and the gas conveyed
to the ovens and boilers in closed iron tubes, instead of the brick flues formerly |
used. -The furnace built by Powell & Lansing was demolished in 1855 and \
that built by Gray in 1865. A foundry was erected in 1866, the building being i*'
sixty by one hundred feet, and has been successfully operated in connection with J
the furnaces. The ore used comes chiefly from the Cheever and the Barton !
beds. From causes which need not be detailed here, these works ceased ope- \ \
rations in July, 1883, and the property passed into the hands of J. A. Richards,
of Boston, G. R. Sherman and W. T. Foote, of Port Henry, as assignees, in
February of that year, by whom it is to be sold.
Lake Champlain and Moriah Railroad Company. Although this company
is entirely distinct from any of the iron companies described, still it is so closely
identified with them and so directly an outgrowth of the iron industry, that its
history will not be out of place here.
This company was organized in 1868, the charter being first granted to the
Port Henry Iron Ore Company to which the deeds were given. Shortly after
the organization of the company, Witherbees, Sherman & Company purchased
a half interest in the road, which is still held by them. The road was ccn-
structed during the year 1 868 at a cost of $200,000, which was the amount of
the capital stock. The first superintendent was R. L. Cook, who was suc-
ceeded by S. L. Morrison, and he by E. Hedding, the present superintend-
ent, in 1877. An engine house was built at Mineville in 1874, at a cost of
$1,620, for the accommodation of a switching engine ; previous to that time
the switching was accomplished by horses. The shops at Port Henry were
built in 1873, and the round house in 1872, the whole costing $19,340. The
line of the road extends from the lake at Port Henry to Mineville and is about
seven miles long. The steepest grade is 222 feet to the mile and the grade
from the lake to Mineville is more than 1300 feet. There are eight engines
and an adequate equipment of other rolling stock. Previous to the construc-
tion of this railroad all the ore, as well as other products, had to be
hauled with teams to the lake, and the coal hauled the other way. This was
one of the chief obstacles to the successful development of the business. Dur-
ing much of the time in the early years of the industry the roads were bad,
until the building of the plank road. While this was a great help, it did not
serve the purpose, and the cost of hauling ore and coal was still heavy. Ore
is now drawn over, the road for thirty-two cents per ton. Some pulp wood
584 History of Essex County.
and hemlock bark is also freighted, but the iron business supplies the bulk of
the traffic. The road is practically in the possession of the firm of Witherbees,
Sherman & Company and the Port Henry Iron Ore Company. The present
officers are : G. R. Sherman, president ; A. Tower, of Poughkeepsie, treasurer
and manager ; F. S. Witherbee, secretary ; W. M. J. Botham, cashier.
For some years after the discovery of the ores in the town of Moriah a
feeling of distrust of their character and value existed, which did not disap-
pear until after the first specific trial of some of the ore, which was made at
Ticonderoga, whither a load was sent for that purpose. The issue of the trial
was favorable and about three hundred tons were raised from the mines that
year. A portion of this was unsold ; but the next year the demand for it in-
creased and has grown steadily, with but brief interruptions, since. The first
sale of ore to be used in furnaces was made in 1847 by Lee & Sherman, of
fifty thousand tons, to F. H. Jackson, of the Sisco furnace at Westport. About
the same time their ores were introduced into the furnaces of Troy and along
the Hudson river. According to Mr. Watson, " a competent authority, esti-
mates the aggregate of ore raised from the mines of Moriah from their devel-
j opment up to January 1st, 1869, at one million and one hundred thousand
{ tons, of which one-third was raised during the six years next preceding that
date." In the transactions of the State Agricultural Society for 1852, in a re-
port prepared by Mr. Watson, it is stated that in 1852 26,800 tons of ore
were exported from the town to Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Maine and
Maryland ; and the quantity contracted for 1853 for shipment was 107,500 tons,
of which 16,000 tons were for Pennsylvania; 10,000 for Massachusetts ; 3,500 for
Virginia; 1,500 for Ohio; 1,500 for New Jersey and 1,000 for Maine. The
production of the various beds of the town in 1868 was as follows : the Chee-
ver bed, 68,000 tohs ; mines of the Port Henry Iron Company, 59,000 tons ;
of Witherbees, Sherman & Co., 59,500 tons; of the Lake Champlain Mining
Company, 2,500 tons; M. P. Smith mine, 14,500 tons ; of the Fisher bed,
6,500 tons; an aggregate of 230,000 tons. In the year 1872, according to
information furnished by W- F. Gookin, the quantity produced was 365,000
tons, divided as follows : Witherbees, Sherman & Company and the Port
Henry Iron Ore Company, 280,000 tons ; Cheever Ore Bed Company, 60,000
tons; Smith & Company, i2,ooo.tons; Cleveland Company, 8,000 tons ; Bay
State Iron Company, 5,000 tons.
It is not safe to attempt to predict the future of the iron industry in this
town ; but it probably can be stated with confidence, that as long as coal can
be transported here, and the ore transported from the mines to the lake with
such economy the companies can compete successfully with the prices placed
upon the product of other sections, so long will the industry thrive.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Port Henry Village. — The village of Port Henry is picturesquely located
Town of Moriah. 585
on the shore of Lake Champlain, about midway between the northern and
southern boundaries of the town. The greater portion of it is built upon a
high table land overlooking the lake, and it is a thriving business center.
The history of this village may appropriately be introduced with an anec-
dote related by the late Alexander McKenzie. He came along the street not
long previous to his death and found some men building a sidewalk in front of
J. C. Witherbee's house. Accosting them he said : " Boys, I can tell you
something rather curious. When I was seventeen years old (1802) I was path-
master of this district. Fadicks cleared off a piece of land at the right of Mr.
Witherbee's house and fenced close up to the road. I told him I thought he
had rather encroached upon the highway — that two teams couldn't pass very
well. With a great oath he stuttered, ' When you see two teams that want to
pass here, you will see two moons in the sky ! ' " While he was relating this
anecdote to the workmen there were four loads of hay and a great number of
iron teams stag^ing on the hill waiting to pass.
But the pioneer who built his fence too close to the highway had some
justification for his prediction. Iron ore was not known here then ; or, at least,
it had not become a marketable commodity ; what little settlement to indicate
a possible village was at Moriah Corners; there the first post-oflSce was estab-
lished, and it was after the end of the century's first quarter before it could be
confidently predicted that a thriving vilLnge would grow upon the site of Port
Henry. _
Mrs. George W. Wheelock is now the oldest inhabitant of the village who has
resided here continuously; she was born in Canada in 1806 and came to Port
Henry in 1829. There was very little of a hamlet here then. Let us see what she
says of it : " There were but two shops here, one of which was kept by Henry
Miller, a wheelwright. A school was kept in a little building that stood about
on the site of the present Lee House. There William Gifford taught during
the winter of 1828-9, and in the following winter Mr. Wheelock took the
school ; there were from ten to fifteen pupils. ' About four years later the
school-liQuse was moved east of where the bank now stands. It was burned
after having been used for years as a church and school-house, and a new
school-house built on the site of the First National Bank. A district school
was also kept at Moriah Center. Mr. Wheelock lived in a house which stood
where S. Strauss now has a store, and Henry Miller's house stood where Mr.
McRory's store now is. Mr. Wheelock was a blacksmith and had a shop just
opposite the site of the present post-office. At that time a few families were
living in what is now the northern part of the village ; most of the early ham-
let lay in that quarter. Where Pease's Hotel now stands Mr. Richmond kept
a tavern, and near him Orlando Swain opened a blacksmith shop. A long
building which stood just west of the tavern was occupied as a dwelling by
two families. Where the Bay State furnace now stands Major Dalliba had
built his first furnace. That about comprised the settlement at that time.
S86 History of Essex County.
" Next, a store was built and a dwelling by Major Dalliba, who occupied
them. Several other little homes were erected by families, and a man named
Newell opened a boarding-house. The old mill, a house and a little bridge
stood where the iron bridge now crosses the North brook ; but the mill was
not running ; this was probably the mill built by Jacob Miller, which suc-
ceeded the first one built by Robert Lewis and already described. Miller also
had a house which he occupied near the mill. The village of Mineville was
not then thought of There was a little settlement at Moriah Center and at
the Corners ; at the latter place there were perhaps twenty or thirty buildings.
Charles Miller, Galusha Putnam and Hiram Storrs lived at the Center. Every-
where else was forest.
" As no church society had yet been organized all denominations met in
the school-house nearly every Sunday to unite in worship. There were two
churches, the Presbyterian and Baptist, at Moriah Corners, and about two
years later the Methodists erected a church. v
"There was no post-office here at Port Henry until about 1833 or 1834,
and then the first school building was used for that purpose, and another school
building was erected just back of the site of the present First National Bank.
"J. P. Hyde came to the place soon after 1830 and built a cottage in the
grove just beyond the present residence of Mrs. Davis. He had a garden, but
did little toward cultivating his farm. James Sprague was interested in the
manufacture of brick at an early day, and Witherbees, Sherman & Company
became interested also. South from the brick-yard was what was called ' Mc-
Kenzie City,' where the families of that name lived ; there were three or four
houses here and quite a clearing extending to the lake and including quite a
large orchard. The early roads were bad, owing to the loads of charcoal that
were drawn over them. At Port Henry, in 1829—30, the lumber business had
not received much attention, except as it was drawn here for shipment."
From these interesting reminiscences it will be seen that Port Henry fifty
years ago was not much of a' village.
Clark Butterfield moved to Port Henry in 1833, and adds from his recol-
lection of early times. He says there was then but one hotel in the village,
which was kept by John C. Douglass. The building stood on the site now
occupied by what was Pease's Hotel, before mentioned. There were three
stores in the village, which were kept by Harvey N. Cole, Stevens & Foote,
and Clark & Shepard. .The furnace which had. formerly been in operation was
quiet. Lumbering was the important industry of the town, large quantities
being shipped up the lake for Albany and New York markets. The old saw-
mill on the brook had fallen into decay and none had taken its place. The
population of the village in 1833 was about one hundred and fifty; there was
no lawyer among the residents, and no doctor, but Drs. Hatch and Dewey, of
Moriah Corners, were called on for aid in sickness. Mr. Butterfield opened his
Town of Moriah. 587
store in 1836, on about the site of the Bay State furnaces, formerly occupied
by Mr. Dalliba, where jie remained in general trade for three years. Leaving
there, and after several changes of occupation, he opened his present store in
1852 and has carried on business there since.
We have already alluded to the first post-office in the town at Moriah
■Corners, and the one established in Port Henry, which was first kept in the
old school-house, not far from 1830. Mr. Butterfield thinks a man named
Gilford was the first postmaster, and was followed by Harvey N. Cole ; he was
succeeded by H. S. Wheelock. In 1852 Reuben Whallon took the office and
in 1854 was succeeded by John C. Douglass. In 1864 Rollin E. Warner re-
■ceived the appointment, remaining in the office until 1870, when Franklin W.
Tobey succeeded until 1876. William R. Field then took it, but retired in
1879 and William Gookin assumed the duties of the position. In 1881 Charles
L. Palmer was appointed and has filled the office since.
Hotels. — The first tavern in the town was that kept by William McKenzie
-very soon after his arrival in 1785 ; it stood on the site of the present Grofif
residence. The early settlers in the different parts of the town applied for
licenses to sell liquors at an early day and in that sense kept taverns. Spirits
were drank almost universally in those times and no public occasion, be it a
raising or a wedding, was considered as properly celebrated without the pres-
•ence of the jug A Mr. Richmond opened a hotel in Port Henry in 1829 and^
was followed in the same business by John C. Douglass. This tavern was for
some time the only one in the village, and was on the site of the house kept
later by Mr. Pease. Treadway's Hotel, on Broad street, was opened about
1870 and William H. Tread way has conducted it from the outset, to the satis-
faction of the traveling public. The Lee House fronts on Main street 1 20 feet and
is ninety-six feet deep; it will accommodate one hundred guests. The house
was built in 1874 by Charles Pease and is named in honor of John A. Lee,
■who furnished the capital. Mr. Pease conducted the hotel" until 1877, when
he was succeeded by S. H. Jennison, who remained until 1884, when it passed
to the present proprietor, John Kelly. In June, 1884, John B. Wright opened
the Brunswick House on North Main street. He conducted it to March, 1885 ;
it is now closed. The Cedar Point House is conducted by Leonard Porter.
Mercantile, etc. — Following the very early stores of Port Henry, which
liave been described, we take up the present business interests of the village.
C. E. Wolcott began trade in groceries, crockery, etc., in 1869 on the site now
■occupied by H. S. Wheelock. In 1874 the present "Standard Store" was
built which he has occupied since. In April, 1871, John Reilly opened a
grocery on Broad street and has continued trade there to the present time.
James H. Allen, D. C. Rich and George R. Sherman opened a general store
on Cedar Point in 1873, which became well known as the" Cedar Point store."
The firm was Allen, Sherman & Rich ; their store was in the old building for-
588 History of Essex County.
merly occupied for the same purpose by Witherbees, Sherman & Co. In June,
1874, they were burned out and continued trade in the old depot pending the
erection of their present store. In January, 1880, Mr. Rich retired from the firm
on account of faihng health and died in the month of March following. In
1873 the firm purchased the mercantile business of Witherbees, Sherman &
Co. In the fall of 1879 the firm opened a store in Mineville, which they still
operate. In 1880 Allen & Sherman began the manufacture of wood pulp, in
addition to their other interests ; their factory was situated about a mile west
from Cedar Point, on the railroad. The works were subsequently removed to
Plattsburg, where the business is still carried on.
H. H. Lane, dealer in dry goods and groceries, began business here in the
spring of 1879, in company with R. F. Livermore. He has been alone since
the spring of 1880 and occupied his present store in 1884. N. Berman began
the jobbing of tobacco, cigars and groceries in the Stevenson building in Sep-
tember, 1873, and removed to his present store on Main street in August,
1882. He manufactures cigars in New York city. G. W. Weston opened a
meat market in the McKenzie Block in 1872, and took a "silent partner " in
1878. In the spring of 1880 they removed to their present location and added
groceries to their stock. T. J. Jobin and J. A. Dupry began the grocery and
meat business in February, 1882 ; their location is on Main street opposite the
Lee House. Since 1874 Peter Marron has carried on the dry goods trade on
Main street. The original business was begun near the site of the Bay State
furnace about 1867, by Charles H. Foot and Hosea P. Willard ; after the lapse
of a year the firm became Foot & Murdock (G. T. Murdock.) In 1878 a
change was made by the retirement of Mr. Murdock, whose interest was taken
by Mr. Marron, the style being C. H. Foot & Co. In 1882 Mr. Marron
bought his partner's interest. Walter C. " Hathaway has a custom and ready-
made clothing store on Main street. He began business in 1877 where the Wes-
ton Block now sta'nds and removed to his present location in 188 1. S. Strauss
has occupied his present store on Broad street, with a stock of dry goods and
clothing, since 1878. Charles E. Cragg, jeweler, began business where N.
Berman is now located, in 1876, and in 1879 removed to the store now occu-
pied by H. L. Lane. He remained there until 1882, when he removed to his-
present store. He also carries on a store in Ticonderoga. The variety store
of John Flanagan was opened in 1 881, in the store now occupied by E. D.
Brooks. In 1882 he removed to the corner of Main and Broad streets. In
1872 A. W. Kincaid began the boot and shoe trade in the Van Ornam Block;
after several changes S. F. Murdock purchased the business in 1 874 and re-
moved it to his present location. Barnard McRory began the furniture and
undertaking business in December, 1871 ; he was located for three months in
a building on the site of Weston's market. He removed thence to the store
next west of the opera house, and in 1873 occupied his present store. Soon
Town of Moriah. 589
after this removal he sold the furniture branch of his business to R. R. Steven-
son, now of Ticonderoga, reserving the undertaking to himself About a year
later he repurchased the interest of Mr. Stevenson and has since carried it on
alone. Charles Tracy and Carlton J. Harris are engaged in the furniture and
undertaking business on Broad street, where they began in 1884. They have
the agency of the Bridgeport White Bronze Monumental Company, of Bridge-
port, Conn. In 1885 the firm opened a branch in Westport, which is in
charge of Mr. Tracy. In 1 860 Dr. R. E. Warner built the first drug^store in
Port Henry and took as a partner John C. Douglass, under the firm name of
Douglass & Warner. Several years later Mr. Douglass retired and after run-
ning the business alone for a time. Dr. Warner associated himself with R. R.
Stevenson, for a year or two, when Dr. Warner retired. Mr. Stevenson re-
moved the business to another building, when Dr. Warner resumed the busi-
ness, at the first location. In 1870 H. R. Fields, now of Willsborough, became
a partner in the business, but sold to Dr. Warner after a few months. R. J.
Wait was then taken into the trade and continued until 1880, when the estab-
lishment was sold to W. H. Sweet & Co. who still continue at the west end of
Main street' In 1875 Ho.sea B. Willard, Austin Hickok and Julius F. Hickok
began as druggists and continued until June, 1882, when they were succeeded
by C. L. Morgan and F. W. Burhans, who conducted the store until Febru-
ary, 1884; they were succeeded by Hopper, Burhans & Co., the firm consist-
ing'of Dr. C. A. Hopper, F. W. Burhans and Dr. A. C. Grover. The present
firm occupy the building where the business was begun. Charles W. Richards
and J. W. Tappen opened a hardware store in 1873; during that year Mr.
Tappen sold out his interest to J. W. Whitehead, who came to Port Henry-
from New York. They carried on the business and removed to their present
store next to the Lee House in 1874; about the same time Mr. Whitehead
assumed the sole proprietorship. Mr. Richards is the present superintendent
of Perry & Company's foundry at Sing Sing Prison. E. Wyman is a dealer
in grain, etc., and operates a grist-mill in the west part of the village, with his
office on Broad street. The mill was built by Ebenezer Collins and run by
him until his death, after which his son, Edward, controlled it until it passed
into the hands of Daniel Wyman, of Crown Point, father of the present lessee ;
the latter took it in 1873 and opened his store in connection with it in 1874.
M. Tobin began the business of carriage-making and blacksmithing in 1871,
where he is still located. In the same year William Keenan opened a harness
shop on North Main street, where he is still engaged. Joseph McRory opened
a liquor store on Broad street in 1878. W. H. Bigalow is proprietor of the
photograph gallery on Broad street. He first began in the Cook Block in
1873, in partnership with Edward Marvin, the latter retiring after a few
months. After the fire of 1874, Mr. Bigalow removed to the Wolcott Block,
where he remained until 1884, when he occupied his present quarters.
590 History of Essex County.
This description comprises the present business interests of the thriving^
village, and indicate its prosperous and growing condition.
First National Bank of Port Henry. — This bank was organized on the
28th day of April, 1870, under its present name. The capital stock was placed
at $100,000, has remained the same and is paid in. Following are the names
of the first shareholders, with the number of shares held respectively by each :
George Sherman, 250 shares, Moriah Corners; J. G. Witherbee, Port Henry,
300 shares; S. H. Witherbee, of New York, 150 shares; Thomas Walton,
Port Henry, 20 shares; Robert L. Cook, Port Henry, 10 shares; R. L. Hand,
EHzabethtown, 20 shares; George R. Sherman, Port Henry, 100 shares;
Thomas F. Witherbee, Westport, 50 shares ; Hosea B. Willard, Port Henry,
10 shares; William Fhnn and RoHin E. Warner, of Port Henry, 10 shares
each ; A. B. Waldo, Port Henry, 50 shares ; J. D. Atwell, Brooklyn, 20
shares.
Mr. Atwell came on from Brooklyn for the purpose of organizing the
bank, which was the result of his initial efforts, in which he was afterward
greatly aided by J. G. and S. H. Witherbee. The first board of directors
were George Sherman, G. R. Sherman, S. H. Witherbee, A. B. Waldo, Rich-
ard L. Hand, J. D. Atwell, Thomas Walton, H. B. Willard, Thomas F. With-
erbee and Robert L. Cook. Jonathan G. Witherbee was the first president ;
George R. Sherman, vice-president ; J. D. Atwell, cashier.
The bank at once began business in the old office of Witherbees, Sherman
& Co. near the railroad. They built the present bank building in 187 1, at a
cost of about $19,000. It is of brick, two stories and French roof; fifty by
thirty-six feet.
The first president was succeeded by George R. Sherman who now occu-
pies that position ; the qhange occurred in consequence of Mr. Wetherbee's
death in 1875. On January 30th, 1877, J- D. Atwell resigned the position of
cashier on account of continued ill-health. At the same meeting his son, F.
S. Atwell, the present cashier, was elected to the vacancy.
The present shareholders and their respective number of shares is as fol-
lows: G. R. Sherman, 340; Mrs. S. G. Witherbee, 100; Miss Florence With-
erbee, 79 ; F. S. Witherbee, 89 ; Mary S Witherbee, 69 ; S. H. Witherbee, 50 ;
W. C. Witherbee, 50 ; G. D. Sherman, 50 ; Thomas Walton, 20 ; R. L. Hand,
20; John Hammond, 20; Marian Flagg, 20; Mrs. C. S. Witherbee, 10; J. D.
Atwell, 10; T. F. Witherbee, 10; H. B. Willard, 10; A. B. Waldo, 10; Walter
Merrill, 10; L. H. Roe, 10; George T. Treadway, 10; Harriet M. Douglass,
5 ; Rosamond O. Douglass, 5 ; D. C. Rich estate, 3.
The present directors, elected January 13th, 1885, are, G. R. Sherman, S.
H. Witherbee, T. F. Witherbee, A. B. Waldo, Thomas Walton, H. B. Willard,
J. D. Atwell, F. S. Witherbee, Walter Merrill, L. H. Roe, W. C. Witherbee.
Insurance. — The insurance business of Port Henry is represented by two
Town of Moriah. 591
firms. W. H.' Carr has his office over Wolcott's store and has been engaged
in the business since 1 870. He now represents the following companies:
Aetna? of Hartford; Home, of New York; Glens Falls; North British and
Mercantile, of London; Royal, of Liverpool; Insurance Company of North
America, Philadelphia ; Commercial Union, of London ; Fire Association, of
Philadelphia ; Niagara, of New York ; Hartford, of Hartford ; Hanover, of
New York ; Phoenix, of London ; Continental, of New York.
Merrill, Palmer & Co. have an office in the McKenzie building, where they
began business in 1882. They represent the Springfield Fire and Marine, of
Springfield ; The Sun Fire, of London ; The Manufacturers', of Boston.
The Fire Department. — Previous to the year 1872 the means of extin-
guishing fires in the village were meagre and inadequate. In that year the
water works were built by J. G. Witherbee at a cost of about $50,000, and
hydrants were established at several points, where by the use of hose they
would be most serviceable in case of conflagration. Water for the works is
taken first from springs situated about a mile southwest of the reservoir on the
Sophia Witherbee farm. The reservoir is built on " Sand hill " within the vil-
lage corporation, about one-fourth of a mile from the engine-house and on an
elevation of three hundred feet. From the springs to the reservoir the water
is taken by gravity in a six-inch pipe, while the reservoir is connected with the
engine-house by two two-inch pipes. The works are now the property of the
Witherbee estate, from which privileges are leased to the village fire depart-
ment for $100 a year.
The present effective fire department was organized June 25th, 1883. It
comprises the following organizations : —
Sherman Engine Company, organized with a membership of twenty-five.
It is equipped with a Clapp & Jones steamer. The Foreman is W. J. Bo-
tham.
Little Giant, or Chemical Eiigine Company, equipped, as their name im-
plies, with a chemical engine. The first foreman was Frank Clark, who still
holds the position. The company is composed of twenty-five members.
William Flinn Hook and Ladder Company; membership of thirty. Mar-
tin-Tobin was the first foreman, and was succeeded by the Edward McMahon,
the present foreman.
Alert Hose Company No. i, organized with twenty members ; foreman
from the organization to the present time, Frank Tromblee.
Witherbee Hose Company No. 2, organized with twenty members. The
first foreman was John Crowley ; present foreman, George Harris.
The Engine Hose Company was organized at the same time and with the
same membership as the Engine Company, but different officers. Peter Ju-
bert has been foreman from the organization.
Edmund Sheehy was the first chief engineer of the department and held
592 History of Essex County.
the office two years. Martin Tobin was elected chief February ist, 1885.
Following are the names of the first officers of the department : Edmund
Sheehy, chief; Frank Burhans, 1st assistant; James F. Hawley, 2d assistant;
Thomas Little, 2d assistant; John W. Whitehead, treasurer. The present
officers are the same with the exception of iVir. Tobin as chief and Lewis Al-
exander as 2d assistant. The brick building of the department was built and
first occupied in September, 1883, and cost $5,500. It is on Broad street.
The village was visited by a destructive fire on the night of March 26th,
1874. The origin was probably incendiary, it having been set in the rear part
of Bein's drug store, a wooden building, and the flames spread very rapidly.
The sufferers and their respective losses were about as follows, as published in
the i7^ra/^ at the time : Henry Mason, $50 ; H. M. Bein, $16,500 ; New York
Clothing Store, $1,000; T. C. Calkins, $5,000; Patrick Cook (brick block),
$10,000; James Scally, $3,000; W. C. Thompson, $300; E. L. Gaskell,
$1,200; Marvin & Bigalow, $i,ooO; R. F. Livermore, $13,000 to $16,000;
A. Liewald, $25,000 to $35,000; William Judge, $3,500; John Conley, $600;
Stevenson building, $300; S. Van Ornam, $1,000; C. D. Webster, $300;
besides these there were some other darnages from water and the destruction
of Mr. Van Ornam's building to stay the flames. The Catholic Church and
the residence of J. Donohue were on fire on several occasions, but by persist-
ent exertions on the part of the inhabitants with pails of water and a stream
from the hydrant, the flames were extinguished. The burned district was
promptly rebuilt.
The Press. — The Port Henry Herald Vizs started early in the year 1873,
by A. J. Morris. He was succeeded as editor and proprietor by William H.
Case, whose name appears at the head of the sheet in 1876. The next and
present owner and editor is George W. Guy, who assumed control of the paper
May 25th, 1882. The office has always been located in its present quarters in
the third story of the Waldo, Tobey & Grbver building. The Herald is a
handsome seven-column paper and has a circulation of about one thousand.
Opera House — The opera house was erected in 1874 by Rufus Dorn for A.
• Liewald. Mr. Liewald is a resident of New York. The building cost about
$30,000. The theatre proper comprises the third and fourth stories of-the
structure, the second floor being given up to offices and the ground floor to
two stores. The opera house is commodious and creditable to the village.
It stands on Main street with a front of thirty-eight and depth of seventy- five
feet. The managers are Hopper & Burhans, who lease it with their drug store
in the same building.
There is one Masonic lodge at Port Henry village (Morning Sun, No. 142),
for a history of which and of the Cedar Point Chapter, No. 269, and of the
old Mount Moriah lodge of Moriah Corners see chapter twenty- six.
Schools. — According to the recollections of the late Alexander McKenzie,
Town of Moriah. 593
there was no school in Port Henry until about 1832. There had been a school
kept in Moriah Corners in 1813 or 18 14, where Miss Abi Collins was the first
teacher. Many children went to that school from Port Henry in the early
days of the settlement. Between 1825 and 1830 there were three school dis-
tricts in the town with one school in each. The first school-house in Port
Henry stood just a little back of the present bank building. The district
/ schools grew more numerous throughout the town as the demand for them
increased, until in October, 1866, when the first union school was organized by
the consolidation of districts 5 and 13. The first principal of this school was
A. J. Kettell, from Hudson. The prime movers in effecting the establishment
of the union school were W. T. Foote, Silas H. Witherbee, Lucius A. Foote, J.
G. Witherbee, in co-operation with the leading tax- payers of the town, most of
whom favored the change. A strong opposition to the measure was made by
others. The old lot was sold to Silas Witherbee for about $500, and Lucius A.
Foote contributed a lot opposite from the Episcopal Church for the purpose of
selling it and applying the proceeds to the purchase of a new lot. About
$3,000 were raised for the school purposes, aside from the tax.
The school was first established as a union school merely, but when
arrangements were completed for opening the first term (October 25 th, 1866),
it was made a union free school, to which measure there was also considerable
opposition. The vote on the question was one hundred and five to nine in its
favor. The building was erected and then comprised what is now the main
portion only of the structure ; the upper story being used for a town hall.
Three teachers were at first employed, but in less than ten days the school was
so crowded that it became necessary to fit up one of the recitation rooms and
hire another teacher. In about two years it became necessary to enlarge the
building, and in the third year the addition was erected. In the year follow-
ing it became necessary to change the hall into a school-room. There are
now employed nine teachers. All of the departments except one primary are
in the brick building ; this primary department is situated in what is called the
Furnace district. These particulars are due to the kindness of W. T. Foote.
According to Mr. Doughty, the average attendance of the school at the
present time is about four hundred and fifty. The present principal is
Clarence J. Doughty. The first teachers of the union school were A. J. Ket-
tell, Maria O. Smith, Mary E. Foote and H. M. Douglass. The first trustees
were W. T. Foote, for three years ; S. H. Witherbee, two years and William
Flinn, oneyear. William M. Treadway, collector ; George W. Spencer, libra-
rian. It was voted that $4,500 be raised by tax for the erection and furnish-
ing of the new school-house and that there be three grades in the school —
primary, intermediate and academic. On December nth, 1866, the building
committee reported that it would require about $2,000 to finish the house ;
this sum was voted.
38
594 History of Essex County.
At a meeting held October 26th, 1866, the following board of education
was elected : For one year — William Flinn (who was collector for the first
year), Abram Liewald, H. C. Foote (treasurer the first year). For two years —
G. B. Pease, G. R. Sherman, F. W. Tobey (clerk and librarian for first year).
For three years — S. H. Witherbee (president of board for first year). Rev. L.
Harvey, W. T. Foote. '
The size of the building is for the main part, 40 x 60 feet; wing, 35 x 40
feet. There are eight rooms besides the library. The present value of the
building is $10,000 and of the lot $1,000.
The present board of education (1885) is as follows: M. D. Grover, presi-
dent; Clark Butterfield, T. F. Witherbee, Rev. J. H. O'Rourke, Rev. W. R.
Woodbridge, C. N. Flint, W. H. Carr, Peter Marron. W. M. J. Botham, clerk.
The treasurer outside of the board is Reuben Whallon. The school is in ex-
cellent and steadily improving condition under the efficient management of the
principal, Mr. Doughty.
Churches. — The Presbyterian Church edifice was the first one erected in
Port Henry. Previous to that event, meetings were held generally in the
school-house and sometimes in private houses. The growth of the Presbyte-
rian Church in the place was fully detailed in a historical sermon preached by
the Rev. C. H. A. Bulkley in 1880, from which we make the following di-
■ gest : —
" It was in the late autumn of 1853 that a few citizens, prominent among
whom were Messrs. Clark Butterfield, George W. Goff and Jonathan B. Spencer,
incidentally observed it to be a shame, that, in a village like this, then num-
bering about one thousand inhabitants there should be no place for religious
worship Moved by this thought they proceeded'immediately to negotiate with
Mr. L. A. Foote for the present site of half an acre, at the price of $250 — a
sum far below that which, it was supposed, would be demanded for it.
" Following is the original agreement under which the society was formed :
'Whereas, it is proposed to build a church at Port Henry on the lot just south
of the store owned by George W. Goff, in Port Henry, for the worship of Al-
mighty God according to the forms of the Presbyterian Church in the State
of New York.
'" Now, we, the subscribers, for the purpose aforesaid, agree to and with
each other to pay the sums set opposite our names respectively ; and we agree
as follows : We appoint George W. Goff, Silas H. Witherbee, Clark Butterfield
and Jonathan B. Spencer, a committee to purchase and hold the real estate in
trust for the use and benefit of the subscribers, with power to collect subscrip-
tions, etc., and to call subsequent meetings of the subscribers by giving notice
at meeting on Sunday. No assessment to be called for until twenty- five hun-
dred dollars is subscribed hereto, and when said sum is subscribed, we agree
to pay our subscription whenever said committee shall demand the same ; said
Town of Moriah. 595
committee not to require the payment of more than twenty-five per cent, at
any one time. At any meeting thereafter called, the subscribers may add to
said committee, appoint others to act in their stead and also other committees,
etc., as the subscribers shall deem advisable, and also to adopt by-laws for the
election of committees, etc. If any person makes default in the payment of any
assessment, said committee may forfeit whatever he has paid, or collect the same
at their election. When the committee deem advisable, the slips may be dis-
posed of as follows : They shall first be appraised (by appraisers appointed) at a
sum sufficient to cover the cost of erecting and completing the house and, at a
time appointed, sold at auction, no slip to be sold at less than the appraisal, the
amount respectively paid by the subscribers to be applied towards the pay-
ment of said slips by them severally purchased ; no slip to be assessed for the
support of preaching, without consent of owner. If the slips sell for more than
the cost of house and lot, the overplus to be divided among the subscribers
relatively to the amount of their subscriptions. The condition of sale of slips
to new subscribers may be hereafter fixed by the subscribers. — Dated at Port
Henry, December 31st, 1853.'"
Following is a list of the subscribers to this agreement, with the various
sums subscribed : George W. Gofif, $500 ; B. T. Reed, Port Henry Furnace
Company, $300 ; S. H. & J. G. Witherbee, $200 ; Jonathan B. Spencer, $200 ;
Clark Butterfield, $100; Hubbard S. Wheelock, $100; Ebenezer CoUin.s,
$100; George W. Pease, $100; George Sherman & Witherbee, $100; Reu-
ben Whallon, $100; Rollin E. Warner, $50; John B. Rogers, $25; George
R. Sherman, $25 ; George W. Miller, $25 ; A. B. Waldo, $25 ; Milton Mc-
Kenzie, $50; Hiram Gibbs, $50; Thomas Walton, $75; Asael Barnes, jr.,
$25 ; David V. Chambers, $25 ; Oscar E. Huntley, $25 ; William H. Stone,
$25; Edrick C. Walton, $40; Otis Sheldon, $25; Roswell Hubbard, $10;
Wallace T. Foote for L. A. Foote, $200; James M. Sprague, $25.
In about a month after this subscription was begun, the first meeting of the
subscribers was called on the 24th of January, 1854 "to make such arrange-
ments as were thought most advisable " for the erection of the house of wor-
ship. Mr. Clark Butterfield being made chairman and J. C. Douglass secretary,
the following named gentlemen were appointed a building committee, to-wit :
George W. Gofif, C. Butterfield, J. B. Spencer,. Reuben Whallon and S. H.
Witherbee. It was voted "to build the house with brick" and to appoint one
of the committee " with full power to make contracts, purchase materials and
hire workmen to erect said house, and to submit all contracts to the rest of the
committee for their approval ; and for such services he is to receive a suitable
compensation."
Mr. Clark Butterfield was appointed such committee of one with "power to
collect ten per cent, on the subscription."
Thus the work of church erection began, and was speedily carried on
596 History of Essex County.
*to an early and successful completion in 1855, when the building was duly dedi-
cated December 31st, with appropriate services, in which Rev. Mr. Olmstead,
of Bridport, Vt., Rev. Mr. Bradshaw, of Crown Point, N. Y., and Rev. Mr. Mat-
tocks, of Keeseville, N. Y., participated, the latter preaching the dedication
sermon.
It has been generally stated and believed that this sanctuary was erected to
be used, not in the interest of any one denomination, but for union services
alone. Yet the record in the very first movement, according to the original
article of agreement shows, as the very language itself declares, that the propo-
sition to build this church was " for the worship of Almighty God according to
the forms of the Presbyterian Church, in the State of New York." Hence its
possession and use subsequently by a Presbyterian church organization was
not a perverted, but a legitimate appropriation of the edifice.
The original board of trustees consisted of Messrs. J. B. Spencer, S. H. With-
erbee, E. Collins, W. T. Foote, L. A. Foote and Clark Butterfield. To these
were added in the succeeding years, the names of Alexander Stevens, D. E.
Sanford, R. E. Warner, R. R. Stevenson, M. P. Smith, George T. McKenzie,
J. G. Witherbee and F. S. Witherbee, making in all fourteen, nine of whom are
living.
Seven years after this work of church building had been begun and when
worship had been held in this edifice for six years, with all business transacted
necessary thereto, it was discovered that some of the trustees, elected up to that
time, had not been legally in office, because "that the requisitions of the law
regulating the formation of religious societies " had never been complied with
and that consequently, there not having been a legal organization, all the acts
of the trustees had been virtually rendered null and void. This startling fact
led to a legitimate meeting, at which the organization was formally made legal
and complete, under the title of" The First Presbyterian Society of Port Henry."
This was done on October 15th, i860, about one month before the formal organ-
ization of the church itself.
The church edifice was erected in 1855 and dedicated December 3 ist of that
year; its first cost was about $3,000. The entire cost of the church property
down to the present time is about $14,000. The first members of the society
as far as they are now available were as follows: E. Collins, L. A. Foote, D.
E. Sanford, Alexander Stevenson, R. R. Stevenson, George G. Roe, Mrs.
Emily Foote, Mrs. M. E. Stevenson, Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, Mrs. M. E.
Ransom, Mrs. Mary E. Lane, Mrs. W. H. Stone, Mrs. L. A. Warner, Mrs.
Arnold, Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. M. E. Rice, Miss M. C. Hubbard, Miss
Laura Hubbard, Miss S. H. Stevens, Miss C. E. Douglass, Miss H. M.
Douglass.
The following pastors have ministered to the church : Rev. Cyrenius Ran-
som, acting pastor, 1860-67; Rev. Frederick N. Newman, supply, 1868-69;
Town of Moriah. 597
Rev. Frederick F. Judd, acting pastor, 1870-72; William B. Stewart, acting
pastor, 1873-75; C. H. A. Bulkley installed as pastor by the Presbytery of
Champlain, November 14th, 1876, continuing until August, 1882; Rev. C. N.
Thomas, present pastor, began as supply November 12th, 1882, and one year
later was installed as pastor.
The following have been the officers of the church : Deacons, elected in
i860: D. E. Sanford, R. R.Stevenson; 1866: Dr. R. E. Warner, G. T. Mc-
Kenzie, S. H. Witherbee, H. S. Brockway. Elders, elected in i860: D. E.
Sanford, R. R. Stevenson, E. Collins, A. Stevenson, L. A. Foote, George G.
Roe; 1 871: R. Whallon, George T. McKenzie, Milton McKenzie, R. L.
Cooke; 1872: J. R. Edwards; 1879: Charles Tracy, Elijah B. Hedding;
Charles Judd, 1880; Truman Bigelow, 1882. The present officers are : Trus-
tees, F. S. Witherbee, Isaac T. Harris, John T. Breadner. Elders, Reuben
Whallon, J. R. Edwards, E. B. Hedding, Milton McKenzie, C. S. Judd, Tru-
man Bigelow. The present church membership is about ninety. A Sunday-
school was organized at the close of the year i860, the first superintendent be-
ing R. R. Stevenson. The present superintendent is C. S. Judd.
Church of the Covenant. — This was the name of the first Episcopal Church
at Port Henry. Services in this faith were held as long ago as 1840, and a
church was formed April 26th, 1 841. The first officers were : Wardens, Abra-
ham Stone, Ira Curtis Sprague. Vestrymen, Silas H. Witherbee, Theron S.
Goff, Benjamin F. Hyde, Christopher C. Allen, Noel Hopson, William D. Hol-
comb, Daniel Tarbell, George W. Goffi The first missionary in charge of the
church was Rev. Henry M. Davis. He was succeeded in 1843 by Rev. Edgar
P. Wadhams, who officiated until 1847, when he went over to the Romish
church and is now Bishop of Ogdensburg. The total number of communicants
in this church was thirteen. The services were held in the old school-house.
The society died out after Mr. Wadhams left.
Christ Church. — This Episcopal Church was incorporated at a meeting
held on Monday August 19th, 1872. Of those present the Rev. William R.
Woodbridge was chosen rector ; John H. Reed and A. B. Waldo, wardens ;
John Gregory, George Hoy, William Jackson, George Ormsby and Edgar B.
Sprague, vestrymen ; Thomas Morrison and Daniel Harper were also present
and voted. The church edifice was erected in 1872 at a cost of $10,000. The
present value of the property is much less, on account of the depreciation in
real estate and building materials. A Sunday-school was organized in the be-
ginning of which Rev. Mr. Woodbridge has always been superintendent. The
total number of baptized members is one hundred and sixty-nine; number of
communicants sixty-nine. The present officers are : Assistant minister. Rev.
C. E. Cragg; wardens, Theodore Tromblee, Jr., Daniel Cannon; vestrymen,
Rev. C. E. Cragg, F. S. Atwell, W. M. J. Botham, C. E. Wolcott, Harry
Brown.
598 History of Essex County.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — This society was organized in the spring
of 1873. The first officers were as follows: A. N. Locke, class leader and
steward ; William Champion, recording steward and leader ; John R. Williams,
leader and steward ; H. L. Patterson, George M. Weston, J. A. Morris, stew-
ards ; T. C. Calkins, Abel Smith, trustees ; J. G. Witherbee, A. B. Waldo, W.
T. Foote, H. R. Field, L. B. Stimson, trustees (not members). A lecture-room
was built which was dedicated January 28th, 1874. The audience-room was
dedicated in November, 1874. The cost of the whole was $18,000. A Sun-
day-school was established at the same time as the church, the superintendents
of which have been H. R. Field and others, with the pastor as the present one.
The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev, J. W. Shank, 1873;
Rev. James M. Edgerton, 1874-75; Rev. W. P. Rulison, 1876-77; Rev.
George C. Thomas, 1878-79 ; Rev. D. N. Lewis, 1880-82 ; Rev. F. R. Sherwood,
1883 to present time. The officers of the church at the present time are as
follows : Trustees, G. W. Weston, president of the board, A. N. Locke, M.
D. Grover, George E. Lamb, B. J. Burton, W. C. Hathaway, John Roberts, H.
Wallace. Stewards, A. H. Weston, W. H. Helms, J. C. Carr, Francis East-
man, H. Wallace ; G. E. Lamb, recording steward ; R. Lezott, G. W. Weston, ^
district steward ; A. N. Locke. Class leaders, A. N. Locke, G. W. Weston,
H. Wallace.
St. Patrick's Church of Port Henry. — This church was organized about
the year 1845. Among the first members were Michael Maguire, Frank Carr,
Patrick Cook, Owen Myron, John Meagher, John McCabe and others. The
first pastor was the Rev. Joseph Olivette, who came in 1 849 and remained
until 1862 ; he was found drowned in the lake one morning. The next pas-
tor was Rev. Luke Harney, who was succeeded by Rev. John O'Rourke, in
May, 1879; he has remained to the present time. The first church was a
temporary building, which was begun about 1844. The stone church was
begun in 1854; it soon proved too small and in 1865 was enlarged to its pres-
ent dimensions and other improvements made in it. The bell and clock were
put in about 1875. The entire cost has been between $15,000 and $20,000;
its present value is between $30,000 and $35,000. The Sunday-school was
opened when the church was organized and the pastor has been the superin-
tendent in each instance. The first trustees were selected from the names
above given of first members. The present membership is two hundred and
twelve families. The present trustees are John Meagher and Patrick O'Grady.
The churches at Mineville and Ticonderoga were formerly connected with this
one; but the former was separated in 1869 and the latter about 1865.
Young Men's Christian Association. — This body was organized in 1881.
E. B. Hedding was the first president. The present officers are : George Wol-
cott, president; W. F. Tallman, vice-president; C. S. Judd, treasurer; John
Jobert, recording secretary ; W. F. Sallmon, secretary. The membership is
Town of Moriah. 599
now upwards of one hundred. The railroad company furnish the rooms and
the association is enabled to accomplish much good. A reading-room is kept
open and classes maintained in phonography, telegraphy and vocal music.
There is a library of about one hundred and fifteen volumes. A Woman's
Auxiliary Society is connected. Lectures and entertainments are frequently
given, the proceeds of which aid the association in its mission.
Incorporation. — The village of Port Henry was incorporated under an act
of the Legislature passed May 1st, 1869. The boundaries were thus described
in the act : —
" All that tract of land in the town of Moriah, in the county of Essex, and
State of New York, embraced within the following boundaries, that is to say :
Beginning at a point in Craig Harbor, .... and running thence south
"twenty-two degrees west, nine thousand four hundred feet ; thence north sixty-
eight degrees west, three thousand nine hundred and sixty feet; thence north
twenty-two degrees east, nine thousand four hundred feet ; thence south sixty-
eight degrees east, three thousand nine hundred and sixty feet to the place of
beginning, the whole containing one and three hundred and thirty-five-one
thousandths square miles, the courses as the needle points in February, 1869,
shall hereafter be known by the name of the village of Port Henry," etc. John
C. Douglass, Lemuel B. Treadway and Abram B. Huntly were named in the
charter to perform the duties of trustees until the first election.
The first board of trustees of the village were Wallace T. Foote, president ;
Artemas B. Waldo, Charles B. Pease, Luke Harney, George R. Sherman ;
James W. Sheehy, clerk. At the election of 1870 A. B. Waldo was made
president, and James W. Sheehy, clerk. In 1871 the following were chosen
trustees: Jonathan G. Witherbee, Artemas B. Waldo, Michael Kennedy,
Wallace T. Foote, Charles B. Pease and Reuben Whallon. At the same time
it was voted to incorporate the village under the general law of the Legislature
passed April 20th, 1870; A. B. Waldo was president of the board for the year
following June 12th, 1871, and W. H. Carr, clerk. At the election March
19th, 1872, J. G. Witherbee was elected president, and in that year $500 was
voted for sidewalks, $500 for sewers, and $500 for a jail. Mr. Witherbee was
continued as president in 1873. At a special election held on the 13th of
May, 1873, it was resolved that the sum of $5,000 be raised by tax for the
construction of a lock-up and village hall for the uses of the officers of the vil-
lage and for a court-room. This building was immediately started and com-
pleted at a cost of about $11,000; of this sum about $7,500 was raised by tax ;
the remainder by an appropriation of excise moneys from the town, which had
gone into possession of the supervisors and was appropriated by them. The lot
on which the building stands was donated by Witherbees, Sherman & Com-
pany. The building is twenty-eight by thirty-eight feet ; contains ten cells,
and is of brick. William Hughes superintended the construction of the jail.
6oo History of Essex County.
Following have been the successive presidents of the village since 1873 :
Charles B. Pease, 1874; Walter Merrill, 1875; George B. Pease, 1876-77;
Clark Butterfield, 1878 ; Charles L. Palmer, 1879-80; Thomas F. Witherbee,
1881 ; Hosea B. Willard, 1882; Frank S. Atwell, 1883 ; WiUiam Flinn, 1884;
George D. Sherman, 1885. The present trustees are W. C. Hathaway, Will-
iam Edgerley, Joseph McRory. Treasurer, John W. Whitehead; collector,
John Kelly, jr. ; road commissioner, Patrick Grady; clerk of the board of
trustees, Mark E. Carr.
Moriah ( Corners): — This is a little village situated about two miles west
of Port Henry. It does not possess much mercantile and manufacturing im-
portance, having declined in those respects since the decay of the lumber
business, and the development of the iron interests, which has drawn from the
vicinity towards Port Henry and Mineville. The Sherman Academy is lo-*
cated here.
Settlement was begun at Moriah Corners before the beginning of the pres-
ent century ; but there was a very slow growth during the first ten or fifteen
years. In 181 5 there were but three or four dwellings on the site of the vil-
lage. A few of the old houses built as early as 1820 are still standing and
form very interesting landmarks. Among them is the house now occupied by
Mrs. Hollis Taylor, which is probably the oldest of them ; it was built about
as early as i8iO and has been removed from place to place several times. Its
original site was where the house of James M. Putnam now stands. The house
nearly opposite the Baptist Church, owned by Albert Kidder, is also one of
the very old dwellings. Ma'ynard Kidder, father of Albert, had a tannery here
as early as 1820.
The first post-office in the town was located here, and Nathaniel Storrs
kept a store and officiated as postmaster. It stood on the site of Albert Kid-
der's present store. Mr. Storrs filled the office from 1815 to 1855, with the
exception of two or three years after 1840. In 1855 Mr. Storrs sold out his
entire property to Samuel D. and Albert Kidder, and the former was ap-
pointed postmaster. In 1865 he resigned in favor of his brother Albert, who
held the office until 1873, when B. B. Bishop was appointed. The resignation
of the latter in 1874 left a vacancy which was filled by Charles A. Butler; he
was succeeded by the present postmaster, C. W. Putnam.
About the year 1815 Daniel Tarbell built the first tavern in the place on
the site of the Sherman House. It is not known how long he kept it, but he
was succeeded by William Van Schoick, Samuel Shepard, Hiram Heaton and
J. B. Martin, the latter keeping it about 1845. In the fall of 1846 Jacob Tap-
pan took the house and was burned out about the year 1853. The Sherman
House was built on the site in 1855. Hulburd & Ormsbee were the first pro-
prietors and remained about two years. They were followed by A. C. Farr,
and Kinsley Sherman bought the house of him about 1865. The first pro-
Town of Moriah. 6oi
prietor under his ownership was Monford Weed, now of the Weed House,
Westport. In 1866 he was succeeded by James M. Bowman; he by Charles
Marsh; he by A. C. Farr (1869) ; he by Edward L. Gaskell (1870); he by
La Fayette Sprague (1872) ; he by George A. Phinney (1873) ; he by B. W.
Farr, who died the next year and was succeeded by Alexander Trimble ; he
by Emmett Douglass (1877) ; he by Oscar Butterfield (188 1) ; and he by the
present proprietor, Frederick Hausinger, who assumed charge of the house in
May, 1884.
Although Moriah Corners was once the most active and thrifty place in
the town there are now but two stores ; one of these is kept by Albert Kid-
der, who has been in business here since 1855. The other is carried on by C.
W. Putnam, who started in 1879.
Joseph Wright has a blacksmith shop on the street east of A. Kidder's store.
The property was originally owned by Messrs. Samuel and Albert Kidder who
sold the same to George Phinney, from whom Wright bought it in the year
1874. A. W. Smith does a large business as manufacturer of carriages and
sleighs. James Lewis has an extensive grapery and small fruit garden.
The Powell Medicine Company incorporated in 1882, are extensively en-
gaged in the manufacture of various remedies which they sell under the name,
or trade mark, of " Adirondack." Their business is largely carried on in Ver-
mont and New York.
An extensive marble quarry has been opened a short distance west of the
village on the Isaac Pratt farm. George W. Watkins, of Moriah, opened the
quarry and has since associated with himself D. E. W. Kent, of Ticonderoga,
and Isaac Pratt. The marble is dark and mottled in beautiful variety and is
capable of receiving a fine polish. It can be cut or carved in any shape. It
will undoubtedly prove a large source of revenue to its owners as soon as its
merits are more widely known.
We now quote substantially from the reminiscences furnished a few years
since by Deacon David ^Sanford, relative to early religious meetings, etc., in
in the vicinity of Moriah Corners.
" The first minister employed in the town was Elder Chamberlain, who
came from Panton, Vt. He was hired by the Congregationalists for six
months, although he was a Baptist. For another six months a man named
Manley was hired ; he was from Crown Point and went to Keene. The next
minister employed was ' Old Mr. Chapin,' who came from Addison, Vt. He had
been here many years before (1808) and organized the Congregational Church.
He had been in the Revolutionary army, was quite gifted, though somewhat
singular. Many anecdotes are related of his quaintness and wit. He gener-
ally came over the lake on Saturday. On one occasion he and three others
came to Chimney Point when the wind was blowing freshly and desired Mr.
Barnes, the ferryman, to carry them over ; this he was unwilling to do, but
6o2 History of Essex County.
offered them his skiff for the passage. They started, but broke the row locks
and were forced to give up the attempt. But Mr. Chapin crossed in a sail
boat the next morning and soon landed at Port Henry. He preached at the
Corners three or four years, and was paid $ioo, the missionary society giving
him an equal amount. It was during his ministry that the Congregational
meeting-house was built, and there was quite a revival. Deacon Jonas Reed
was then the leading man in the town and it was he who started the project of
building the church. All the people turned out and worked on the timber for
the frame. There were some Ijniversalists in the town and they wanted to
join in the undertaking. The plan was favored by a good many, but finally
Mr. Reed said : ' When you see Bald Peak tip over into the lake, you may
think I will join the Universalists in building a meeting-house, and not till
then.' That settled the question. The first cost of the church was not far
from $500 and Mr. Chapin put in $100 of it. He was not treated very gen-
erously, for when the church was done another minister was hired in his place.
He resented this treatment by coming over and preaching for the Methodists,
who were holding meetings in the school-house. Then Major Dalliba came in
and built his furnace at the lake and settlers came in more rapidly. The major
gave the town quite a start, was a religious man and took quite an interest in
religious matters. He gave the church-building enterprise considerable aid
and had the pews sold at auction ; he united with the church here in March,
1827.
"Rev. Isaac Reed was the successor of Mr. Chapin in the Congregational
Church. After serving several months he was compelled to give up the work
by weak lungs. Then there were several short terms of service. Mr. Edger-
ton was a school teacher, and preached sometimes and lectured. Rev. Mr.
Wolcott was here about a year, and Rev. Leonard Reed, nephew of Rev. Isaac,
was here eight or ten years. Mr. Sanford thought that Rev. Fayette Sheperd
followed Leonard Reed for one year. The salary of these men was about
$400 a year. The church was self-supporting aft^ the departure of Mr.
Chapin."
CHURCHES.
First Congregational Church of Moriah. — The First Congregational Church
of Moriah was organized on the 6th day of September, 1808, under the super-
vision of Rev. Sylvester Chapin, a missionary from Vermont. The original
membership consisted of William Joiner, Jedediah Edgerton, John Brinknall,
Ichabod S. Parker, Eli Abbott, Daniel Averill, Elisha Stockwell, Jonas Reed,
and others. Jedediah Edgerton was the first deacon. They adopted articles
of faith and a church covenant. Little is known as to where the church met
but it is certain that they had no place of worship for a number of years, using
for the most of the time a school-house. During this period the pulpit was
Town of Moriah. 603
supplied by Mr. Chapin and Rev. Cyrus Comstock, a man greatly noted as an
able minister.
In 1824 the question of building a church edifice was agitated. Jonas
Reed, a prominent member of the church, donated a lot of land on which the
building was erected and partially completed in February, 1825. In that
month and year a legal society was organized with the following as the first
trustees : Henry Wilcox, Solomon Everest, and Elias Smith. At this time
Jonas Reed was the only deacon. On the 1st day of January, 1831, the church
organized a Sunday-school.
Rev. Isaac Reed was the first installed pastor, serving from 1826 to 1828.
The following have been the pastors since that time in the order given : Revs.
Henry Boynton, Fayette Sheperd, John L. Edgerton, Leonard Reed, Vernon
Wolcott, Cyrenus Ransom, David H. Gould, Myron A. Munson, Daniel W.
Cameron, Dwight M. Seward, George Michael, George A. Miller, and John H.
Butler (1885), who is the present pastor.
In the year 1883 the old church was torn down and a new one built at a
cost of $3,000. It is a neat and commodious church building. The present
membership is sixty-nine. The Sunday-school contains sixty scholars. The
present deacons are Levi Reed, Henry O. Lewis, and Edward J. Owen. The
present trustees are Henry O. Lewis, E. J. Owen, and Frederick L. Reed.
This is the oldest organized church in the vicinity. Two large colonies of
members have gone out; one in i860 to Port Henry, who, under the minis-
trations of Rev. C. Ransom, organized the Presbyterian Church of that place,
and the other in 1875 to Mineville and organized the Presbyterian Church of
that place.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Moriah Corners. — It is said that undoubt-
edly the first Methodist preachers who passed through this region on their way
from Albany to Canada, preached in Moriah. Services in this faith were held
here early in the century and as early as 1820 a school-house, which stood near
what is now Mr. Smith's wagon shop, was used for services. Quarterly meet-
ings in those early days were held in the barn of Thomas Lewis ; it was then
owned by one of the Joiners. The " brick church" was erected in 1836,
Bishop' Isbell being the pastor; it was not entirely paid for until 1852. The
building is now owned and occupied by Harry Chaffee as a dwelling. The
last church building was erected in 1875 under the pastorate of Rev. E. Turner,
at a cost of $18,000, a debt being incurred of nearly $9,000 ; this debt was
considerably reduced under the labors of succeeding pastors, particularly by
Rev. E. E. Taylor. On May 1st, 1882, the debt was $5,500. The last par-
sonage used before the fire of 1874 was purchased in April, 1865, and was first
occupied by Rev. N. B. Wood. Following is the list of successive pastors, as
far as known: 1823, Seymour Landon; 1824, Orrin Pier; next came Rev.
Kimpton, Joseph Eames, Hiram Chase ; 1833-34, Amos Hazeltine (in charge).
6o4 History of Essex County.
Peter H. Smith ; 1835-36, Bishop Isbell; 1837-38. Henry Stewart; 1839-40,
B. Pomeroy and A. Garvin; 1841, Samuel Atwell, John Graves in charge;
1842-43, A. Lyon; 1844-45, A. Jones; 1846, John Thomson; 1847, James
Parks; 1848-49, W.W.Foster; 1850-51, J. S. Mott; 1852-53, Milton H.
Stewart; 1844-45, S. M. Rogers; 1856-57, T. F. Stewart; 1858, the same;
1859-60, D. H. Loveland ; 1861-62, J. B. Sylvester; 1863-64, N. B. Wood ;
1865, C. C. Gilbert; 1866-68, C. M. Clark; 1869-70, J. S. Mott; 1871-72,.
J. W. Shank; 1873, E. J. Gurnsey ; 1874-75, E. Turner; 1876, S. D. El-
kins; 1877-79, E. E. Taylor; 1880-81, A.V.Marshall; 1882, and present
pastbr, E. A. Blanchard.
The present trustees are James Lewis, president ; A. J. Stiles, secretary ;
J. M. Riford, treasurer ; Binona Tillotson and E. A. BoUes. The present su-
perintendent of the Sunday-school is J. M. Riford, with E. A. BoUes as assist-
ant. At the time of the fire the attendance at the school was, officers and
teachers, nineteen ; total number, two hundred and ten ; average attendance
of pupils and teachers, one hundred.
On the 2ist of December, 1884, the church and parsonage were destroyed
by fire. The church was insured for $6,000. March 24th, 1885, a contract
was let to J. W. Busteed, of Whitehall, for rebuilding the church and repairing
the parsonage at a cost of $5,000. The parsonage east of the burned site was
purchased in January, 1885, for $850. The parsonage was arranged for ser-
vices until the completion of a temporary tabernacle, for use until the church
is finished. The present membership of the church is about one hundred and
sixty-two.
The history of this church would not be complete without a record of a re-
markable jubilee held by it on Monday, October 1st, 1883, for the purpose of
raising money to free the society from debt The jubilee was largely attended,
many ministers and others being present from abroad, and was a success in
every respect. After appropriate services the following report was made by
the financial agent of the church : —
MILES TRAVELED.
With livery teams 448
By steamers 340
In stage 200
Cars 5. 875
Horse cars and on foot Unknown
Total miles traveled over '. 7,000
MONEYS RECEIVED.
From M. E. Churches, except this $5,279.43
" other denominations 118,75
' ' Hon. G. R. Sherman 500.00
" church extension society 200.00
Total from outside this congregation $6,098. 18
Expense of raising the above i, 070 00
Applied on debt $5,028.00
Town of Moriah. 605
The unpaid subscriptions out of town amount to 1 75.00
Moneys raised by tlie Moriah M. E. Church, between June 13th, 1882, and Oc-
tober 1st, 1883 $1,326.39
On subscription signed and not paid by three men 115.00
Not signed but promised by one man 100.00
Received from penny collections for wood, etc., furnished by church debt sub-
scriptions 61.00
Received from "The Ladies Aid Society " 596.20
Total from Moriah M. E. Church $1,983.59.
Grand Total on and off the charge 8,081.77
Salary received from this charge during the past year and a half 600.00
MONEYS PAID OUT.
Expenses $1,070.00
Improvements, including bell 1,813.64
Floating debt • 200.05
Interest 379^28
Mortgage 5,000.00
Total expended $8,462.97
" received 8,081.77
Yet to be raised $381.20
Subscription on bell 300.00
Unprovided for $81.20
The above small balance was promptly assumed by E. A. Blanchard, the
financial agent, who pronounced the church free from debt. The ladies were
given credit for raising about $600 of the above amount. The jubilee contin-
ued through two days, which time was filled by an interesting series of pro-
ceedings, including addresses by prominent ministers and discussions upon the
topics by various persons.
The Baptist Church, Moriah Corners. — The Baptist Church here was first
organized probably a little before 1814, by ministers from Vermont. A coun-
cil was called and the church fully organized in 18 18, with fourteen members.
At the first church meeting Elijah Jordan was licensed to preach. He served
the church three years and was followed in their order by Gershom Lane, John
Stearns, Artemas Arnold and Jeremiah Dwyer. A church was erected soon
after and it is said that three of the building committee were converted and
joined the church before the building was finished. Rev. Mr. Cutting and Ed-
ward Pierson came next and thefollowingother pastors have served the church:
W. Grant, W. W. Moor. J. H. Walden, E. C. Miles, J. S. McCollum, Jonathan
Baldwin, A. H. Stock, C. Fisher, I. D. Burwell, E. D. Craft, W. C. McAllester,
C. P Fox, P. C. Dayfoot ; the present pastor is Rev. H. C. Robbins. There
was a great revival in 1838-39, when eighty-eight were baptized. During the
pastorate of Elder Walden the membership was two hundred and eight, and
in Mr. Burwell's term over ninety were added to the church. The house of
worship was rebuilt in 1874, under the pastorate of Rev. W. C. McAllester, at
an expense of $4,500.
6o6 History of Essex County.
The present church officers are : Deacons, S. B. Sprague and D. O. C. Ed-
son ; clerk, J. R. Oilman ; trustees, J. M. Putnam, H. W. Walker, Joseph
Woodruff. The present membership is fifty-four. J. R. Oilman is superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school, with S. B. Sprague for assistant; the average
attendance is about forty-five.
Sherman Academy. — The Moriah Academy Association was organized on
the lOth of April, 1838, for the purpose of building an academy. The fol-
lowing were some of the subscribers to the fund : Charles Miller, Oeorge Sher-
man, Daniel Tarbell, John A. Lee, B. W. Dewey, Lyman McKenzie, John F.
Havens, Hiram Heaton, Timothy Olcott and Oeorge W. Ooff. The first Pres-
ident of the Board of Trustees was Hiram Everest. The association was a
stock company and the sales of shares furnished the funds for the erection of
the academy building. A lot was purchased and a brick building was at once
erected. By a vote of the trustees, trees were set out in the grounds and a li-
brary and apparatus purchased. The original cost of thebuilding was $2,500.
The cost of the library and apparatus was $514. On the 23d day of June,
1840, an application was made to the Board of Regents to have the academy
incorporated under the name of the Moriah Academy, which was granted.
It appears from the records that Mr. James Harran was the first principal.
Two departments were formed in which classical and English branches were
taught. The succeeding principals were Rev. Vernon Wolcott, Milo D. Cook,
Orson Kellogg, Harriet E. Bishop, Orlando Wooster, Putnam P. Bishop. Dur-
ing the same time the following acted as associate teachers : Harriet Burnham,
Decia Miner, and L. M. Wells.
From the year 1854 to 1873 the academy ceased to make any report to
the Regents and no instruction was given. The building was used by various
persons for private schools and for a short period by the district school.
In the year 1873 Oeorge Sherman, one of the original incorporators, by a
deed of trust granted to the trustees a fund of $30,000 for the purpose of giv-
ing a free academic education to the children of school district No. 2, Moriah.
He also at his own expense rebuilt, enlarged and refitted the building with mod-
ern conveniences. By a special act of the Board of Regents the name was
changed to Sherman Academy. The building was re-opened and dedicated to
the cause of education with appropriate ceremonies on the first day of Septem-
ber, 1873. Edward J. Owen has continued to be principal from that time to
date (1885). The following have been teachers in the other departments:
Hattie M. Douglass, Kate E. Newell, Martha A. Youngs, E. Sophia Winter,
Nellie D. Sheldon, Frances Burbank, A. Adele Miller, Mrs. L. B. Carlisle,
Nellie M. Colton, Thomas A. Wasson, Carrie E. Telford. Teachers' classes
have been organized every year since 1876.
The academy provides two departments ; preparatory and academic. In
the academic there are three courses of study; English, academic, gradua-
E. J. Owen.
Town of Moriah. 607
ting and college preparatory. Seven classes have been graduated since the
re-organization. The wants of the academy requiring more room, George R.
Sherman, of Port Henry, has at his own expense built a large addition to the
academy thus adding to the use of his father's benefaction.
The pupils of the academy are found in every town of the county and a
large proportion of the teachers of the district schools have been enrolled in its
classes.
The present Board of Trustees are : George R. Sherman, president ; James
M. Putnam, vice-president ; Albert Kidder, treasurer ; B. B. Bishop, secre-
tary ; James Lewis, James B. Greene, William Heaton, Edward J. Owen,
Hardy Curtis.
Mineville. — This is a mining village situated about seven miles northwest
from Port Henry. Its settlement and growth have been largely a consequence
of the great development of the iron interest and its current prosperity depends
to a considerable extent upon that industry. Among the early settlers and
residents in this locality may be mentioned Milton Reed, son of the pioneer,
Jonas Reed, who was born here in August, 18 14. Jonas Reed was the first
permanent settler here, about 1810. Levi Reed, twin brother of Milton, is
also a resident of this section. Milton Reed was at one period owner of the
land on which is the ore bed No. 21, which he sold about 1839 to Storrs &
Rosseau. David Sanford, from whose reminiscences we have quoted, was an
early resident here and owned most of the mining lands. As late as 1820
there was not much of a settlement at this point, and much of the region was
still forest- covered. John Bartlett had a saw-mill and within the next ten
years they sprang up like mushrooms in different parts of the town and the
extensive lumber business rapidly developed. There was no mercantile busi-
ness here until later than 1825. Jonas Reed and others used to do their trad-
ing at Whitehall and Albany, commonly going down in the winter on the ice.
A school was kept early in a building which stood on the site of McDermott's
blacksmith shop ; it was removed farther west about 1820. One of the early
school teachers was Jonathan Race. There was no church in the place until
later than 1870, the people going to Moriah Corners or elsewhere for religious
instruction. Meetings were held in the vicinity not long after 1820, at some of
which Rev. Cyrenius Chapin, already mentioned, officiated.
The vast mining interests which have caused the growth of this village have
already been sufficiently described. The present mercantile interests of the
place comprise the general store of G. T. Treadway, who came here in 1866
and began business ; he purchased the store of the Port Henry Iron Ore Com-
pany ; the business was first begun in about 181 5. The post-office was estab-
lished about 1870, and Mr. Treadway has been postmaster since that time.
Allen & Sherman, of Port Henry, established a branch store here in 1880.
Charles A. Butler is dealing in tinware and house furnishing goods.
6o8 History of Essex County.
About the year 1873 Dennis Hayes came here and built the Empire House,
which he has conducted as a hotel since that time. There was then a hotel
here called Cusac's House, on Union Square.
Churches. — The Presbyterian church at Mineville was erected in 1875 at
a cost of about $15,000 ; it wa^ built as a Congregational church. The first
pastor was Rev. D. W. Cameron. The society was organized in the school-
house in October, 1874. The first trustees were Milton Reed, James Beck,
Robert Clydesdale, Isaac McLyman, Walter Tefft, George G. Roe, and George
T. Treadway. A few years later the Presbytery of Champlain assumed con-
trol of the church. The society is served at present, temporarily, by Rev. G.
A. Thomas, of Port Henry, who preaches every Sunday afternoon.
Emanicel Mission, Mineville (Episcopal). — This society was organized in
February, 1876. The first members were T S. Beach, Walter Tefft, James C.
Gregory, W. H. Tefft, G. G. Roe, Charles A. Sweatt, A. J. Arnold, H. B.
Lewis, Myron Pulsifer, James Wait, Robert Boyd, Mrs. Mary K. Treadway,
Mrs. William H. Thompson, Mrs. Allen S. Stone, Mrs. A. Smith, Mrs. Ellen
Gregory, Mrs. Jane A. Riddle, Mrs. Ann Thompson. Rev. William R. Wood-
bridge has been in charge of the society since its organization. The first
warden was James G. Gregory ; treasurer, Walter Tefft. Present warden,
James Wait. The corner stone of the edifice was laid July 28th, 1879, and the
building consecrated November 19th, 1879; it cost $1,768; present value
$1,500. A Sunday-school was organized with the church, with James Wait
as superintendent. The rector is the present superintendent. Membership of
the church fifty ; communicants, fourteen.
Romafi Catholic Church. — This society was organized in 1872, the first
priest being Father Phillips, who remained one year. Rev. Joseph Taney
came in 1873 and remained until 1880, and died here. The present priest is
Rev. Florence McCarthy, who came from Watertown. The church building
was remodeled in 1882 at a cost of about $5,000.
Stevenson Post, G. A. R. 102, have their organization here. The present
number is fifty-three. The following are the present officers : E. F. Edgerley,
commander; R. L. Jenkins, senior vice- commander ; A. W. Smith, junior
vice-commander; A. H. Woodruff, adjutant; E. A. Bretell, quartermaster;
S. Deyo, surgeon ; M. W. Dean, officer of the day ; C. W. Sumner, officer of
the guard.
Moriah Center. — This is a hamlet situated about two miles west of Port
Henry. The post-office was estabhshed here in 1866. In July, 1870, it was
removed to Mineville and in the following month a new one was established
here. S. B. Sprague is postmaster and has had the office since 187 1. A. H.
Woodruff was the first incumbent and the only other one. Osborn Parmeter
was an early blacksmith at this point and subsequently kept a store. Eliphalet
Hall built a store here a number of years ago, which was occupied by him and
Town of Keene. 609
later by E. P. Hendee ; it was burned in 1884. S. B. Sprague opened a store
in 1871 ; since 1884 it has been kept by Mrs. Sprague. E. P. Woodruff &
Brother (C. J. Woodruff) began business in April, 1885. A. H. Woodruff had
the store before them since the summer of 1869, the building which then stood
there having been carried away by a flood in 1869 and a new one built. The
original store was bought by Mr. Woodruff of Thomas Tobin ; it was built
about 1840 by E. C. Smith, who sold to George Beers and he to Tobin. It
was used as a wheelwright shop previous to Mr. Woodruff's purchase. Albert
Baton has a wheelwright shop which he has operated since 1875 ; Elbridge
Bretell is also engaged in the same business. Solomon Deyo has had a shoe
shop here since 1866, and Michael Hughes is the blacksmith.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KEENE.
PORTIONS of territory were taken from Ehzabethtown and Jay, March 19th,
1808, and united into the original town of Keene. Until 1848 it embraced,
in addition to its present dimensions, all the land now lying between the limits
of North Elba. Keene is bounded on the north by Jay and Wilmington, on
the east by Jay and Ehzabethtown, on the south by North Hudson, and on the
west by Newcomb and North Elba. The Adirondack mountains extend north-
east and southwest through the center of the town and occupy nearly the en-
tire surface, leaving scarcely any arable land. Among the mountains of this
range in this township are found the loftiest peaks in the State, and with one or
two exceptions, the loftiest east of the Rocky mountains. Of these the high-
est, Mount Marcy, in the southwestern corner, attains an elevation of 5,470 feet
above tide ; Mount Golden, just west of Marcy, 4,753 feet; Gothic Mountain,
several miles to the eastward, 4,745 feet; Haystack, further south, 4,890 feet ;
Skyhght, 4,889, and Gray Mountain, 4,900. Sentinel Mountain lies next the
northern border of the town, and a few miles south of it are Pitch-Off and
Long Pond mountains. The Giant of the Valley in the southwestern part of
the town towers at an elevation of 4,530 feet above tide; Dix's Peak, in
the extreme south, is 4,916 feet high. Other peaks of less magnitude but still
grand and impressive are Sable Mountain, Nipple Top, Saddle Back and Mc-
Comb mountains. A number of beautiful lakes, or ponds as they are some-
what prosaically termed, sleep at the feet of some of the mightiest of these
mountains. Edmund's Pond, lying between Mount Pitch Off and Long Pond
Mountain, is rapidly becoming a famous resort for sportsmen, invalids and sum-
mer tourists. It extends northeast and southwest a distance of nearly two
39
6io History of Essex County.
miles. From its shore on the north a beetling cliff of solid rock rises verti"
cally a distance of from three to five hundred feet, and gives to the mountain
which slopes immediately above it, its peculiar name. From the southern
shore the rocky side of Long Pond Mountain rises with supreme majesty. In
the spring, summer and early fall, torrents of water tumble in tumultuous and
musical confusion down the sides of this grand old hill for hundreds of feet.
In the extreme southern part of the town are the Upper and Lower Ausable
ponds, the former, indeed, being divided by the line between Keene and North
Hudson. The ponds are the headwaters of the south branch of the Ausable
river, which flows northerly through the center of the town and with its nu-
merous small tributaries forms its principal drainage. The magnificent moun-
tains and mighty valleys of Keene, and her picturesque streams and splendid
lakes have been the theme of many an enthusiastic writer's eulogy, and have
called into activity the eager aspirations of many an ardent landscape painter
and poet.
Keene has three post-offices, Keene Center, toward the north, Keene Valley,
toward the south, and Cascadeville on Edmond's pond. The last named office
is open only during the summer months. The town has never been thickly
populated, owing to the sterility of the soil and the difficulty of transportation
over the rocky and mountainous surface of the country. Pioneers penetrated
its primitive forests and scaled the natural barriers formed by its precipices as
early as 1797, and thus early a rude, almost impassable road had been extend-
ed to Keene Center through Lewis and Jay. The first child born in town was
Betsey Payne. The first school was taught by Dr. Ellis in an old school
house near the present site of Phineas Norton's house at Keene Center. The
first marriage was that of Thomas Dart and Cynthia Griswold, the first death
that of Eli Bostwick. Benjamin Payne was the first man who came into the
town to stay. He came by marked trees from Westport, and brought his goods
in a "jumper," or rude vehicle constructed of two long poles which served the
purpose at once of thills, traces and wheels. He died before 1800. He was
Phineas Norton's father-in-law. Timothy and Nathaniel Pangburn, brothers,
were the next arrivals. The former died before 1823, and the latter about 1830.
Thaddeus Roberts and Robert Otis were other early settlers. Zadock Hurd
kept the first inn, near the present residence of W. H. H. Hull, and remained
a number of years. He died before 1823. Thomas Taylor and General Rey-
nolds made their appearance in town when it was new. Eli Hull settled about
two miles south from Keene Center in 18 10, and erected the house now occu-
pied by his son William H. H. Hull. Eli Hull (with his three eldest sons) took
part in the battle of Plattsburg, and formerly served seven years under Gene-
ral Washington. Roderick McKenzie lived at the head of the Keene valley
on the Ausable and was a neighbor of Phineas Beede and James Holt. Wil-
liam H. H. Hull and Phineas Norton (the former was born here in 1813, and
Town of Keene. 6ii
the latter came in 1823) are the best authorities now Hving of the condition of
the town in early times. According to them the first store was built and fur-
nished by William Wells, and afterwards kept by David Graves. Phineas
Norton moved into his present house, about two miles east of Keene Center,
which he built himself, in 1832. There was no church organization here until
1833, although numerous preachers, among them the zealous Cyrus Comstock,
held services frequently in the house of Eli Hull. The principal business in
these times was lumber and iron making. Not much lumber was shipped but
considerable was sawn for home use. Sylvanus Wells, brother of William
Wells, was the most largely interested in mills. In 1823 there was a saw- mill
on John's brook three miles above the Center. Eli Hull & Sons (Joseph and
Allen Hull) had a forge on the river south of the Centre, Graves & Chase
(David Graves and R. C. R. Chase) had one in the village. Both forges were
furnished with ore from the Arnold bed.
In 1823 also the forge built by David Graves was running in full force
under the management of Benjamin Baxter and Adolphus Ruggles, who drew
ore from the Arnold bed. Not long after this Lewis Merritt, Jacob and Nel-
son Kingsland, of Keeseville, built another forge between the village and the
old saw-mill. It was carried away in the great freshet of 1856. In 1823 also
a little grist-mill was run by Israel Kent. It stood about a mile above the vil-
lage on the Ausable river. A few years later another one was built farther
down stream by Nathaniel Sherburne.
About 1800 the valley began to present the appearance of a change from
an unbroken wilderness to a land fit for human abode. James and Alva Holt
lived there about 1 800, and cultivated farms for many years. Some of their
descendants are still living in the valley. In 1849-50 Harvey Holt built a
forge in the valley. He labored under great disadvantages and suffered the
calamity of losing it by a freshet before it was opened. Captain Snow, another
old settler, died years ago in Beekmantown. Luke Jones, another, died about
two years ago in Keene Center. Phineas Beede came from Vermont and took
up a place in early days. His widow survives him and is a resident of the
Valley now. Mr. Biddlecomb, an early settler, probably built the old Bruce
house, which was torn down in 1882-83. Deacon Bruce, father of Chester
Bruce, had this place in very early days.
Following is a list of the superiors of this town from the year 18 18 to the
present time, with the years of their service : 1818, EhHuU; 1819, Iddo Os-
good; 1820, Eli Hull; 1821 to 1824 inclusive, Iddo Osgood; 1825 to 1827
inclusive, Alden Hull ; 1828, Azael Ward; 1829-30, Joseph Hull; 1831 to
1833 inclusive, Artemas Fay; 1834, Richard R. C. R. Chase; 1835-36, Iddo
Osgood; 1837-38, Chester Bruce; 1839, Iddo Osgood ; 1840, Gardner Bruce ;
1841, Charles Miller; 1842, Phineas Norton; 1843, Charles Miller; 1844,
Thomas Brewster; 1845, Phineas Norton; 1846, Thomas Brewster; 1847,
6i2 History of Essex County.
James S. Holt; 1848, Stephen Clifford; 1849, Chester Bruce; 1850-51,
Uriah D. Mihills; 1852, Phineas Norton; 1853, Uriah D. Mihills; 1854-55,
William H. H. Hull; 1856, James S. Holt; 1857-58, William H. H. Hull;
1859-60, Hills H. Sherburne; 1861 to 1864 inclusive, Willard Bell; 1865,
David Hinds; 1866-67, Adam McKane; 1868-69, David Hinds, jr. ; 1870,
William H. H. Hull; 1871-72, Charles N. Holt; 1873-74, E. M. Crawford;
1875-76, David Hinds, jr.; 1877-78, Norman M. Dibble; 1879-80, Frank
H. Hull; 1881, David Hinds; 1882-83, John K. Dudley; 1884-85, Thurlow
W. Bell.
The records of this town from its formation in 1808 to 18 18 are destroyed
or lost ; we cannot therefore give the first officers. The present town officers
are as follows : Supervisor, T. W. Bell ; town clerk, Sanford P. McKenzie ;
commissioner of highways, R. G. S. Blinn ; collector, Heman Nye ; overseer
of the poor, William Wilkins ; justices of the peace, David Hinds, John K.
Dudley, William H. H. Hull.
Population. — 1810, 642; 1825, 707; 1830,287; 1835,700; 1840,730;
1845,809; 1850,798; 1860,734; 1865,770; 1870,720; 1875,757; 1880,
910.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Keene Center was probably quite a settlement before any other community
had come into existence in the town. In this vicinity the pioneers of 1797
erected their log cabins, and felled the first trees. By the year 1823 a hotel
had been built on the site of the present village of Keene Center, and was
managed by David Graves. The building now stands on its original site across
the street from the hotel of Weston & Otis, under the old elm. Before 1840
Ira Marks, of Elizabethtown, had control of the property. In 1 844 Charles
Miller kept it, the title still remained in Marks. In 1847 Willard Bell, Stephen
Patridge and Uriah D. Mihills bought the premises of Marks. Not long after,
however, Marks purchased them back from the three and sold them to Arville
E. Blood. Meantime, since Bell & Company had purchased the hotel, Sidney
Ford had been the manager. When Arville Blood secured it, she leased it to
her brother. Royal Blood, a part of the time, and Joseph Downey kept it
while Royal Blood was out. Willard Bell bought it of Arville E. Blood in
1866. He at the same time purchased the land now forming the site of the
Keene Center House of Weston & Otis, and built a new hotel thereon, the
other one being discontinued. He moved into the new house in 1867. Mr.
Bell kept this hotel until 1872. Nicanor Miller rented it of him from 1872 to
1877, then Horace Towsler kept it seven months. William Bell returned after
Towsler's time expired and managed the business until 1881. W. F. Weston
then purchased the property of Bell, and he and his present partner, J. Henry
Otis, who acquired an interest in the business in 1883, have been the proprie-
Town of Keene. 613
tors down to the present time. The old building was destroyed by fire in
1883, and the present sightly and commodious structure erected in its place.
W. F. & S. H. Weston are proprietors of a forge in the south part of the
village. They built it in 1879. Ore is obtained from the Keene ore bed about
a mile west of the village. The ore is taken from this bed by means of the
Wood Pit and Fifth Shaft. Before they built the forge the Westons ran the
mines about five years. They have kept a general store in the village since
they started the forge. They also own and run a forge and store and saw-mill
at Wilmington. Besides the Keene bed there is in its immediate vicinity the
Weston bed, and another bed or vein in front of the Cascade House at Ed-
mond's Pond called the Cascade ore bed. The other business establishments
at Keene Center may be briefly summed up as follows : A general store kept
by Warren Hale for a number of years ; the store of W. F. & S. H. Weston,
already mentioned; the store of J. W. Bell, opened in 1882, and the drug and
Yankee notions store and jewelry establishment of Sanford P. McKenzie. Mr.
McKenzie also keeps transient boarders and is an Adirondack guide of con-
siderable experience. He keeps a large and select assortment of fishing tackle
and sportsmen's outfits. W. F. Weston and J. Henry Otis are also proprietors
of a handsome summer hotel on the western end of Edmond's pond (about six
miles west of the Center), which will accommodate about fifty guests, with a
dining-room large enough to accommodate ninety persons. Willard Bell
owns a saw-mill about a mile and a half southwest of the Center, and E. M.
Crawford owns one about five miles south thereof, in the " Flats."
The district school at the Center is the only one there. It is taught at pres-
ent (spring, 1885) by Miss Bridget Kelley.
Churches. — The Methodist Episcopal Church of Keene Center was incor-
porated in the fall of 1833. Phineas Norton, Nathaniel Sherburne and James
O. Patridge were the first trustees. The first meeting convened pursuant to a
notice given by the Rev. James R. Goodrich, who was probably the first pastor.
In May, 1836, the church purchased a tract of land of Nathaniel Sherburne and
at once erected the edifice which still serves the original purposes of construc-
tion. The last few pastors were sent here in the following order : Rev.
Harris (date unknown), John Hall, Fletcher Williams, L. A. Dibble, Horatio
Graves, G. H. Van Duzen, C. A. Bradford, E. L. Ferris, and the present pas-
tor, Rev. S. B. Gregg, who came here in the spring of 1884. The present of-
ficers of the church are: Stewards, Frederick- Nye, E. S. Russell, J. K. Dud-
ley, Franklin Hale ; trustees, Frederick Nye, J. K. Dudley, Cyrus Sheldon ;
class leader, E. S. Russell. The Sunday-school superintendent is Frederick
Nye who has held that position during the past nine years, with the exception
of several intermissions which aggregate about two years.
A new Catholic Church was erected in 1883, which, by virtue of its hand-
some design and arrangements does credit to the communicants of that faith
6i4 History of Essex County.
in Keene Center. Bi-monthly services are held by Father Holihan, of Eliza-
bethtown.
The first postmaster at Keene Center was probably William Wells. In 1823
David Graves officiated. This was before the establishment of the stage routes
and the mails were carried from Westport to Abraham's Plains (now North
Elba) on horseback. The present postmaster, Willard Bell, received his ap-
pointment in June, 1 861.
Keene Valley. — At present no industry can be said to prevail in the beau-
tiful Keene Valley. It is a famous resort for summer visitors and more than
thirty summer residences have been erected within a radius of six miles from
the Keene Valley post-office. Among them are those of Dr. Norman Smith,
of Hartford, Conn.; Dr. Charles Laight, of the New York Board of Health;
Drs. Isaac and Felix Adler, and Dr. Sachs, their brother-in-law; Martin Bahler,
of New Jersey; Dr. William Pennington, Newark, N. J.; William H. Hodge,
D, D., Philadelphia; Frederick H. Comstock, attorney of New York; Mrs. and
the Misses Clark of Elizabeth, N. J.; Miss N. D. Ranney, Elizabeth, N. J.; Mrs.
Anna Ranney, of the same place ; A. H. Wyant, artist, New York ;
Charles Dudley Warner and R. N. Shurtliff, artist, New York ; Mason Young
has erected an elegant building at a cost of about $20,000. Dr. James Putnam
and brother have purchased the old premises of Smith Beede and built a num-
ber of cottages wherein they receive guests, usually from Boston. On the old
Walker lot of Smith Beede also cottages have been recently erected by William
G. Neilson, Prof Felix Adler, Almon Thomas, W. A. White, Kate Hillard and
others. There has been a post-office at Keene Valley since 1865 when Orson
Phelps carried mail for six months free, then the government took it. James
S. Holt was the first postmaster. His successor was Norman Dibble. Byron
Estes now officiates.
The " Valley " boasts three hotels, each one accommodating from eighty to
one hundred guests. The hotel of S. & O. Beede, which was built about
1875 ; the Tahawas House, George W. Egglefield, proprietor, who bought out
Norman Dibble, and the hotel run by R. G. S. Blin since 1882.
E. M. Crawford owns and runs a steam saw-mill which was built about ten
years ago. During the first seven years of its career it was propelled by water
power. The lumber is cut mainly for building in the Valley.
At the Cascade House of Weston & Otis, before mentioned, a post-office has
been established for the sole accommodation of summer tourists. It was first
opened in the summer of 1880 by Nicholas Miller, and receives and distributes
mail only between July first and November first of each year. The name of
the office is Cascadeville, and it is the office for guests who abide at the Moun
tain View House in North Elba, kept by Moses Ames, the Adirondack Lodge
kept by Henry Van Hoevenbergh, and Torrance's Cottage, kept by Orin Tor-
rance, in addition to those stopping at the Cascade House. The present post-
master, J. Henry Otis, received his appointment in the spring of 1883.
Town of Westport. 615
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WESTPORT.
THIS town was formed from Elizabethtown on the 24th of March, 1815.
It Has upon the shore of Lake Champlain south of the towns of Essex
and Lewis, nortR of Moriah and east of Elizabethtown. Viewed from the lake
it presents an irregular slope for some distance into the interior, behind which
can be seen a shallow valley, and towards the west another gradual elevation.
The table land to the northeast along the lake shore, called the Split Rock
mountains, is an exception to this general appearance, as it is higher near the
shore than at any point in the interior. These mountains are in reality a con-
tinuation of the Schroon range, which appear in the southwestern part of the
town and are separated from the latter by the wide valley which presents the
incline above mentioned. The land is drained in the north by a small part of
the Boquet and its branches, and in the south and east by numerous small
streams flowing into the lake. It has been stated upon good authority that
not more than one- half of the surface of the town is capable of profitable culti-
vation. The village of Westport has for years been one of the most promi-
nent gateways of the Adirondacks. It is the eastern terminus of a beautiful
and popular road through Elizabethtown, Keene Center and North Elba, to
the Saranacs, shorter than the route from Port Kent.
This entire region is connected in its earliest history with the efforts of
William Gilliland, two of his twelve original grants of 1765 being situated
within the present town of Westport. At this time he located four thousand
five hundred acres on this site of Westport which he named Bessboro, from his
daughter. No record or reminiscence remains to give us the details of these
early settlers. It is reported that a mill was built and a small settlement begun
in the southern part of the village prior to the Revolution, but all vestiges of
them were obliterated during that fierce, internecine struggle. In 1804 Charles
Hatch came to the site of Westport village from Brookfield, in Essex, a dis-
tance of eight miles through the primeval forest so dense that the labor of four
men was required two days to open a passage for the wagon. He found a
small settlement there called the North West Bay, and a saw-mill, one frame
house, three log houses and a barn had already been erected. No road had
been opened south of the limits of the town. A rude imitation of a road had
been extended west to " Pleasant Valley " and connected the infant colonies
in Lewis, Keene and Jay. Joseph Stacy and Nathan Hammond located at a
period nearly contemporary with Hatch's arrival, at North West Bay, while in
various parts of the town then and soon after the names of John Halsted, Jesse
Braman, John Stringham, John and Bouton Lobdell, Aaron Felt, Joseph
Fisher, Abner Slaughter, Joseph Storrs and Jacob Southwell were familiar as
6i6 History of Essex County.
of residents. A Methodist Church was organized in 1800, and the place was
the scene of many earnest efforts of primitive missionaries, earHest among
whom was Rev. Cyrus Comstock.
The earliest records in the town books contain statements in manner and
form about as follows: "The first town meeting in the town ofWestport,
county of Essex, and State of New York, is opened at the house of Charles
Hatch, in said town, on the first Tuesday in April [18 15], agreeable to a law
of the Legislature, passed 181 5." The following officers are voted in : Enos
Loveland, supervisor ; Bouton Lobdell, town clerk ; John Lobdell, Gideon
Hammond, Diadorus Holcomb, assessors ; Levi Frisby, collector ; Joseph
Stacy, Charles Hatch, overseers of poor; Jesse Braman, Gideon Hammond,
Crosby McKinzey, commissioners of highways ; Charles Hatch, Bouton Lobdell,
Diadorus Holcomb, commissioners of schools ; Uriah Palmer, Samuel Cook, jr.,
John Lobdell, inspectors of schools ; Amos Smith, Indethan Barnes, Levi Al-
exander, constables ; Elijah Anzer, Daniel Wright, Sylvanus Kingsley, W lliam
Denton, Charles Hatch, Nathaniel Hinkley, Jarrus Coll, Uriah Palmer, fence
viewers ; Elijah Anzer, William Storrs, Charles Hatch, Elijah Dunton, pound
masters ; Ralph Watton, Elijah Dunton, John Ferris, jr., Caleb P. Cole,
Thomas Emmons, Jesse Hardey, Samuel Denton, Warren Harper, John Dan-
iels, 3d, William Storrs, William Denton, Elijah Storrs, Joseph Stacy, Harvey
Sumner, overseers of highways.
Voted "To raise double the sum allowed by the State for the support of
common schools." "To raise twenty dollars for the support of the poor."
The names above given embrace about all of the town inhabitants of any
note at that time. There was now a considerable settlement at the village of
Westport. On the south side of the brook which divides the village there were
about half a dozen buildings besides the old tavern and store kept by Judge
Charles Hatch, and on the north side of the same there were four or five
houses and another tavern kept by Ebenezer Newell. Hatch's store was the
only one in the place. "Barney" Myrick had a tannery, carding machine,
cloth factory, and saw-mill situated on the north side of the brook just above
the present " pulp-mill." In addition to his other possessions Judge Hatch
owned and managed a grist-mill below the bridge on the north side of the
brook. There were no forges nor distilleries in the town, nor was the manu-
facture of potash carried on as a distinct industry. Large quantities of lum-
ber were drawn to the coast from the interior and went the way of all the lum-
ber in Northern New York, to Quebec until the opening of the canal in 1824
supplied a convenient channel for all transportation to and from Lake Cham-
plain, when it was found vastly more profitable to ship it southward. Henry
H. Holcomb, son of Diadorus Holcomb, dating his birth back to October 13th,
1 8 16, remembers the old school- house which stood in the south part of the
village. About 1823 he attended here and was directed in his studies by a
Miss Bates, from Plattsburg. There was no church in town then.
William P. Merriam.
Town of Westport. 617
The present resources of the town, in addition to its agriculture, which can-
not be deemed a source of much revenue to the town, because of the h'mited
arable surface thereof, will be learned from the account of the present business
establishments in the villages of Westport and Wadham's Mills. The iron in-
dustry has been in the past the most prominent business of the town. There
are three beds of ore in the town which have been worked with more or less
of profit. The Campbell bed, now called the Norway bed, which borders upon
the Elizabethtown line about seven miles southwest of Wadham's Mills, lies
on lots 166 and 168, Iron Ore Tract. It was opened between 1845 and 1850
and worked until about 1853 by Henry J. Campbell and Whallon & Judd.
About 1868 and 1869 a road was started from this bed to Westport, but it was
never completed, and the bed has not been worked for years. It is now owned
by General Seldon E. Marvin, of Albany, who bid it in, it seems, for a stock ■
company. The Merriam bed, situated on lot No. 165, just south of the Camp-
bell bed, was opened in 1867 by W. P. and P. D. Merriam. Not more than
three hundred tons of ore were worked, when it was permitted to become idle
and has remained so ever since. The land is now owned by Brackett W. and
Henry C. Burleigh. The Merriams also ran for a number of years the old
Westport forge, which stood upon the Boquet river about two miles northeast
of Wadham's Mills, where the remains now stand. It was built in 1845. The
present forge of D. H. Payne stands upon the site of one once owned and op-
erated by Barnabas Myrick. Jackson's bed was opened many years ago about
a mile or two east of the above mines, but it never amounted to anything.
About 1848 Francis H. Jackson erected what he termed the Sisco furnace on
the margin of North West bay, a little more than half a mile north of Westport
village. The cost of its original construction exceeded one hundred thousand
dollars. He also built a dock and ten dwelling houses besides his own and the
book-keeper's residences. After holding title to the property for ten or twelve
years Jackson sold it to G. W. GofF. It was then owned by the Champlain
Ore and Furnace Company who ran it a short time and shut down. The fur-
nace has not been running since. The former residence of Mr. Jackson is now
used as a summer dwelling by Mrs. Elizabeth Roe. Barnabas Myrick also
owned a forge and store at Wadham's Mills as early as 1825. The Split Rock
ore bed was opened years ago on Split Rock Mountain about four miles north
of the village of Westport, but has never become a mine of prominence or much
promise, and is now idle.
Westport bears the enviable distinction of possessing the most valuable
medicinal springs, probably, in the county — the Adirondack springs, being a
cluster of four fountains, situated upon a slope of the Adirondacks, half a mile
west from the lake and nearly midway between Port Henry and Westport.
They have been celebrated during the last fifty years for their remarkable effi-
cacy in relieving various diseases.
6i8 History of Essex County.
When the call for troops rang through the north nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury ago every town and hamlet responded with numbers of tens and hundreds
to the demand. This State promptly sent her quotas, and Essex county fur-
nished of them her share Westport sent generously of her men and money
to the war, and to the unnumbered roll of the heroes of the Rebellion, she
added names not inconspicuous for their valor and zealous fidelity.
Following is a list of the supervisors of this town from the organization of the
town to the present time, with the years of their service: 1815, Enos Love-
land; 1 8 16, Charles Hatch; 18 17 to 18 19 inclusive, John Lobdell; 1820, Charles
Hatch; 1821 to 1825 inclusive, Gideon Hammond; 1826, Charles Hatch;
1827 to 1830 inclusive, Gideon Hammond; 1831-32, Barnabas Myrick ;
1833, Ashael Lyon; 1834-35, Ebenezer Douglass ; 1836, John Chandler ; 1837,
B. P. Douglass; 1838, John Chandler; 1839, B. P. Douglass; 1840, Barnabas
Myrick; 1841, Joseph R. Delano; 1842-43, William G. Hunter; 1844, Frank-
lin H. Cutting; 1845, Asa Aiken; 1846, B. P. Douglass; 1847, J. H. Low;
1848-49, William J. Cutting; 1850, Ralph A. Loveland ; 1851, B. O. Warren;
1852, Daniel W. Braman ; 1853-54, Ralph A. Loveland; 1855-56, Cephas
Bradley; 1857 to 1859 inclusive, David L. Allen; i860 to 1863, inclusive,
Samuel Root; 1864, D. W. Braman; 1865 to 1867 inclusive, Samuel Root;
1868, Barton B. Richards ; 1869 to 1871 inclusive, Lewis H. Roe; 1872-73,
William P. Merriam ; 1874, Samuel Root; 1875, Daniel F. Payne; 1876, An-
drew J. Daniels ; 1877-78, C. D. Sprague ; 1879, Samuel Root ; 1880-81, Mer-
rit A. Clark ; 1882, C. D. Sprague; 1883-84, M. A. Clark; 1885, Freeborn H.
Pager
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
From the preceding account of early town matters it can be seen that there
are only two villages in the town, Westport and Wadham's Mills. The former
is situated on the western margin of North West bay about midway between
the northern and southern boundaries of the township, and the latter between
three and four miles distant on the Boquet river. Westport is the larger and
more important, commercially, of the two places, because of its superior ship-
ping advantages, being on the shore of the lake, and more conveniently situ-
ated with reference to the railroad. It began to have distinctive existence as a
village at the beginning of the present century. Probably during the war of
1 81 2 the first wharf was extended into the lake by Charles B. Hatch, son of
Judge Charles Hatch. It is now the steamboat dock and is managed by S. W.
Price. The state of business here at about that time or between then and
1820, has been described in the preceding portion of the chapter. The second
wharf was built by E. & W. Douglass in about 1826. D. L. Allen bought it
of them in 1845, and in 1850 extended it one hundred feet further into the lake.
It is now about five hundred feet long. D. F. Payne, of Wadham's Mills, pur-
Town of Westport. 619
chased it of M. Allen in 1880, and now owns it. By 1830 most of the old
settlei's before mentioned had either died or moved away. John Halsted,
John Stringham, John Lobdell, and Abner Slaughter lived here then. Jesse
Braman lived in Wadham's Mills, and has a son Jason, living here now. Bou-
ton Lobdell went away a little before 1830 and Aaron Felt moved to Platts-
burg at the same time. In that year D. L. Allen and James A. Allen, both
still residing here, made their appearance when the village was called North
West Bay. According to the former the lumber business was then and for a
number of years in its zenith. The village of Westport was the lumber depot
for the towns of Westport, Elizabethtown, Keene and Lewis, and a part of
North Hudson. In 1836 the cutting and hauling of " dock sticks " or piles be-
gan to assume respectable proportions, and did not die out until 1853 or
1854. There were two saw-mills in the village owned by Barnabas Myrick.
He also carried on an extensive shoe-making business and a tannery in a build-
ing which stood near the site of the present pulp mill. Next to it he conducted
a clothing store. The old grist-mill of Charles Hatch, as well as his saw- mill
and carding machine, all located just below the cemetery, were carried off in
the freshet of 1830. The walls of the old grist-mill are still standing. Potash
making was done here quite extensively ; one ashery was situated just north of
the old " Hatch " dock, owned and conducted by Ebenezer and William Doug-
lass, and one a little south of it under the mercurial management of the versa-
tile Barnabas or " Barney " Myrick. Sugar making was an important business,
large quantities being made annually by Caleb and Tillinghast Cole. Amos
Culver pounded the anvil in the south part of the village and in about 1830
William Olds started another blacksmith shop in the north of the village.
Elijah Newell ran a hotel on the hill and Newton Hayes was proprietor of an-
other (built by Aaron Felt) on the south side of the brook. H. J. Persons fol-
lowed Hayes and conducted the business for more than forty years. He was
proprietor when it burned in 1876. There were four stores here conducted re-
spectively by Mack & Hatch, Charles Hatch, Barnabas Myrick and E. P.
Douglass. No iron business was done. Nothing but a common school was
taught here, the Essex County Academy being established in 1834 by an act of
the Legislature passed May 1st of that year, authorizing Asahel Lyon, Piatt R.
Halsted and Benjamin P. Douglass to incorporate the same. It started with a
capital of $2,500 in shares of $25.00 each. The first trustees were Aaron B.
Mack, Charles Hatch, Charles B. Hatch, George P. Reynolds, Ira Henderson,
Norris McKinney, Barnabas Myrick, Caleb P. Cole and Joseph Cole. This
academy flourished until about 1857 or 1858. The first principal, Orson Kel-
logg, officiated during the greater part of its history.
There has been but one newspaper published in the village, viz, the Westport
Patriot and Essex County Advertiser which was started about 1838 by Anson
H. Allen, or " Old Settler Allen " as he was called, from Keeseville. After
620 History of Essex County.
suffering the vicissitudes inevitable to the first four or five years of a news-
paper's life, the business was transferred to David Turner, who changed the
name to The Westport Herald, and continued it six or seven years. At that
time one Sawyer, encouraged by a subscription raised by the citizens of West-
port, purchased the paper and sold it to Captain Livingston, of Elizabethtown,
at a profit. It was transferred to the latter place by the new proprietor.
Masonic. — A lodge of the order of Free and Accepted Masons was insti-
tuted June 13, 1852, under the name of the Sisco Lodge of Westport, No.
259, a more detailed account of which appears in chapter XXVI.
Present Business. — The oldest mercantile business now in the town is con-
ducted by D. L. Allen. In 1845 Mr. Allen opened a store for himself in the
old building still standing by the wharf It was built at the same time with the
wharf by E. & W. Douglass. For six years previously he had been in the
mercantile business at Wadham's Mills, in company with one Delano. From
1845 to 1878 he remained in the store at Westport, when he built his present
store on Main street. In 1849 J- C. Osborne began harness making over the
store now occupied by H. H. Richards. He came into the building he now
uses in 1873. He has always been alone. Alvin Davis opened a tin shop
and hardware store in 185 i in the old post-office building on the south side
of the river. In 1875 he moved into the Myrick store and in June, 1882, into
his present quarters. The business is now conducted under the style of George
A. Davis & Co. P. P. Bacon had a shoe shop and shoe store here as early
as 1859 just opposite to where he is now on Main street. He was burned
out in the fire of 1878, whereupon he moved into the block opposite the Weed
House. He came into his present building in 1881. For some time previous
to 1865 J. W. & C. H. Eddy, brothers, conducted a general mercantile busi-
ness here. In 1865 the firm became Page & Eddy (F. H. Page and C. H.
Eddy). About 1870 C. H. Eddy susperseded Page & Eddy. Then for a time
the business was conducted by C. H. Eddy & Son (F. H. Eddy). About 1876
C. H. Eddy assumed sole control of the business and still remains alone. F.
H. Eddy now owns and conducts a drug department in his father's store, which
he established in the spring of 1878. R. J. Ingalls, who is now engaged in
he sale of general merchandise, came here in 1865 and bought out the busi-
ness of Hiram Downey, in the brick block which stood on the site of the
building Mr. Ingalls now occupies. About three years before that Dow-
ney had bought out the tin shop of F. H. Page, and Mr. Ingalls continued the
tin shop for some time, but gradually added miscellaneous articles to his stock.
He has had no tin shop for several years. The old brick building was de-
stroyed by the fire of 1876 and the present one erected in its place. James
Richards began business here as merchant tailor in December, 1866, in the
David McLeod store, and after successive removals came into his present place
of business in the summer of 1884. H. H. Richards, general merchant, began
Town of Westport. 621
business here in 1867, purchasing the building he still uses of his father, Wil-
liam Richards. Until 1872 he and A. E. Williams were together, but since
then Mr. Richards has conducted the business alone. In 1875 he sold the
goods and leased the store to F. H. Page, and remained out of business that
winter. In the spring of 1876 he opened a store on the other side of the
brook, was burned out in the fall, removed into the new building in the spring
of 1877, and returned to his present quarters in 1879. N. J. Gibbs and Milo
Gibbs, his brother, entered into partnership here in 1872, to carry on the hard-
ware business. They were the first year in the store now occupied by A. E.
Williams. In 1881 N. J. Gibbs became successor to the firm. He is now in
the post-office building. In 1875 A. E. WiUiams and Dr. Abiather Pollard,
under the firm name of Pollard & Williams, established a drug business in the
store now occupied by A. E. Williams. In the spring of 1879 Mr. Williams
became sole proprietor of the business and remains alone to-day. Charles A.
Pattison began the sale of general merchandise in the same building that now
holds his wares. He is now and from the beginning has been sole proprietor.
Manufacturing. — The Westport Pulp Mill Company, a limited stock com-
pany, consisting of Aaron Clark, Amos A. Prescott, A. E. Williams, D. A.
Clark and M. A. Clark, was incorporated in 1880, and the mill erected on the
north side of the river. The original purpose of the establishment was the
manufacture of wood pulp, but since 1883, the building and machinery have
been devoted entirely to the operations incident to a saw-mill, lath-mill, spool-
factory, shingle and grist-mill.
Hotels. — The building now used as a hotel under the title of the Richards
House was built in 1834, for a private residence by Captain Ira Henderson,
father of Mrs. William Richards. The land on which it stands was purchased
in 1 8 10 by Joseph Jenks, Mrs. Richards's grandfather, and the title thereof has
remained in the family to the present time. The building erected by Captain
Henderson was converted into a hotel in 1848, William Richards proprietor.
No change in ownership or management took place until Mr. Richards's death
in February, 1881. For a year Mrs. Richards conducted the business. In
April, 1882, the present proprietor, M. A. Clark, son-in-law of Mrs. Richards,
took the helm. Under the same title and management, the sightly Mansion
House on the hill is used for the accommodation of summer boarders. Mont-
ville Weed erected in 1876 the hotel which he fitly denominates the Weed
House. He has been the sole proprietor of the same since the beginning, with
the exception of the six months following April ist, 1882, during which period,
he leased it to John Holcomb. The Allen House, near the depot, was opened
by James A. Allen, in 1879. The building was originally intended as a hotel,
but was never devoted to the accommodation of guests until Mr. Allen bought it.
He immediately enlarged and improved it. On account of its convenient lo-
cation it is becoming a popular stopping place for those who enter the Adi-
622 History of Essex County.
rondacks via Westport, Mr. Allen having provided himself with all the trans-
portation facilities necessary for carrying passengers to their favorite resorts.
Physicians. — Dr. Abiather Pollard was born in Bridgewater, Windsor
county, Vt., in 1807, and was graduated from the medical college at Castleton,
Vt., in 1 83 1, having previously attended a course of lectures at Burlington.
After about four years' practice in Westport he attended further lectures at
the University of Pennsylvania, and the Medical College of Philadelphia, both
situated in Philadelphia. He returned soon to Westport and remained there
until 1837, when he removed to Chazy, Clinton county. After an absence of
six years there, eight years in Keeseville, two in New York, and eight in Cali-
fornia, he came again to Westport in 1861, and has continued in practice here
to the present day. Dr. P. W. Barber, though not now residing in Westport,
was here long enough to deserve historical mention. He was graduated from
the Hospital College of Medicine in Louisville, Ky., in 1869; practiced in the
hospital there six years, and engaged in private practice one year. In 1876 he
made his home at Westport, and remained here until April, 1885, when he went
to New York city as surgeon for the U. S. Mutual Accident Association. Dr.
W. E. Pattison received his diploma from the Burlington Medical College in
1880, and went at once to Elizabethtown. Thence after a practice of two years
he removed to Colorado, where he remained one year, and in 1883 came to
Westport. He received in 1880 an honor diploma from the University of Ver-
mont. On January 1st, 1885, he was appointed county physician for Essex
county. He was born and reared in Westport. Dr. F. T. Delano, after being
graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1883, commenced practice at
Ticonderoga. From the fall of 1884 to the spring of 1885 he was in Crown
Point. He came to Westport in March, 1885.
Westport Union School. — The union of districts Nos. 2 and 3 was effected
in i860. At a school meeting held in the basement of the Methodist church
in Westport, December 7th, i860, the following officers were chosen : J. H.
Low, moderator, and A. B. Mack, clerk of the meeting ; William Frisbie was
elected trustee for one year, Lorenzo Gibbs for two years, D. L. Allen three
years. Jerry Flinn, clerk. The trustees were instructed to sell " both school-
houses " (north and south) for $500 or more, reserving the benches and stoves
and, to purchase the Myrick house (or former residence of Barnabas Myrick)
and lot at a sum not exceeding $1,200. The instructions were subseqjuently
carried out. At the same meeting a board of instruction was chosen to in-
spect the schools. It consisted of H. N. Cole, both clergymen, Drs. Langdon
and Richardson, A. B. Mack, J. W. Eddy, and V. C. Spencer.. The Myrick
house which the trustees purchased was bought of Marks & Hand, who set-
tled the estate of Barnabas Myrick. The building was repaired and remod-
eled, and is still used for school purposes in Westport. The old north school-
house was the building now occupied as a dwelling by Lyman Gregory, and
Town of Westport. 623
the south school-house is now used for the same purpose by Daniel Carey.
L. B. Newell was the first principal of the Union School. It had originally
four departments but has been reduced to three.
Churches. — The church history of Westport can be traced back with accu-
racy about as far as that of any church organization in the county. The old-
est church organization here is the Methodist, and the writer takes advantage
of the antiquity of this church, and of the most valuable historical memoranda
compiled by the Rev. J. E. Bowen, pastor of the Westport Methodist Church
in 1881-82, to give an outline of the history of Methodism in this part of the
State, prefatory of the sketch of this particular organization. The earliest in-
timations authentic history furnishes of Methodism in the Champlain valley are
found in the conference minutes of 1788, when Francis Asbury, four years pre-
viously elected the first bishop of the then just organized Methodist Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, projected a plan to reach the mag-
nificent valley stretching from New York city on the south, along the Hudson
and down Lake Champlain and the mighty St. Lawrence, to the stormy gulf
on the north, and sent a company of nine itinerants, headed by Freeborn Gar-
retson into this region.
To Samuel Wilson was assigned the beautiful region of Lake Champlain ;
and the next year the names of David Kendell and Wm. Losee were connected
with the same circuit. The story of their toil, their successes, or disappoint-
ments, has never been written, or is forever lost. In 1796 Richard Jacobs, a
local preacher residing in Clifton Park, was employed by the presiding elder to
visit this region in a tour of missionary exploration. Leaving his family, he
passed up the Hudson and down through what was then Clinton county, ex-
tending from Lake George to Canada. On his return he passed through
Pleasant Valley (Elizabethtown) and tarried a few days with Ira Phelps a pio-
neer Methodist from Harrington, Conn. This was near New Russia, a few
miles up the Boquet river and south of the present village of EHzabethtown.
Provided by his hostess with food in his saddle-bags and in company with a
Mr. Kellogg, he started south through the unbroken and almost impenetrable
forests for the first settlement at the head of Lake George. They floundered on
seven days when in attempting to cross Schroon river near Schroon lake Jacobs
was drowned. There on the banks of that stream he was buried.
In ,1799 the region on the west side of Lake Champlain, from Ticonderoga
on the south to Montreal on the north, was for the first time organized into a
circuit, and named Plattsburg Circuit, with Alexander McLean as the only
itinerant. That same territory comprises to-day the Plattsburg district, with
31 appointments and ministers, and 3,830 (Minutes of 1881) members, and 675
probationers, besides its northern portion then lying in Canada. The first
numerical entry for this side of ,the lake made at the close of this first year
shows 107 members, but whether any of these were residents of Westport, we
have no means of determining.
624 History of Essex County.
In 1800 Elijah Hedding, the reader exhorter, associated with Joseph Craw-
ford as assistant preacher, labored for three months on the Plattsburg circuit.
In 1801 Hedding was received on trial bj' the New York conference at its
session at New York city, and appointed to Plattsburg circuit as assistant to
Elijah Chochester. This same year we first find districts named. The district
was Pittsfield with Shadrach Bostwick, presiding elder. Plattsburg circuit then
extended from Ticonderoga into Canada. There the youthful Hedding and
his colleague forded streams, traversed forests, faced the pelting storms of that
severe climate, slept in log cabins, and kindled a flame that after the lapse of
half a century is not extinguished.
The whole territory from New York to the St. Lawrence, and from the
Green Mountains to the Adirondacks and from into Connecticut and Massa-
chusetts to far beyond the Helderbergs, was but one conference named " New
York." The district was named Pittsfield, and the circuit bore the name of
Plattsburg till 1810. Till the later date the presiding elders and preachers
were as follows : 1 802, elder, Shadrach Bostwick ; preachers, Daniel Bromley,
Laban Clark. 1803, elder, Sylvester Hutchins ; preachers, Henry Ryan, Ger-
sham Pierce.
Ticonderoga Circuit. — 1810 — Elder, Wm. Anson; preachers, Andrew
McKean, Peter Bussing; members, 619. At the conference concluding this
year Plattsburg circuit was divided and two new circuits formed called Malone
and Ticonderoga, leaving the old name and sufficient territory for a circuit still.
The territory of Westport formed a part of Ticonderoga- Circuit, which em-
braced all the country south of the top of the mountains between the Ausable
river and Willsborough to Lake George. Ticonderoga Circuit had assigned all
the membership within its bounds, which was just 65. The next year a new
district was formed called Champlain, embracing Western Vermont, with Platts-
burg, Ticonderoga, and Malone in New York. The record for the next five
years is as follows : —
Champlain District. — 18 1 1, Samuel Draper, elder; John Hiskins, preacher.
1812, Samuel Draper, elder; Timothy Miner, preacher. 1813, Samuel Draper,
elder; John B. Stratton preacher. 1 8 14, Samuel Draper, elder ; Jacob Beeman,
preacher. 1815, Henry Stead, elder ; John T. Addoms, preacher. 18 16, Henry
Stead, elder ; Moses Amadon, preacher. This year the Methodist Episcopal
Church here was born into existence.
Two years previously Levi Frisbie emigrated from Harrington, Litchfield
county. Conn., and found a home a little more than one mile south of the vil-
lage of Westport. About this time the British General Provost was preparing
to make a descent upon the settlements along the west side of the lake, and
Frisbie, having been a captain in the militia of his native State, volunteered to
aid in repelling the foe. In an encounter between the contending forces,
somewhere near Salmon river, at the battle of Plattsburg, Captain Frisbie was
badly wounded, and was compelled to have one of his legs amputated.
Town of Westport. 625
Frisbie and his intimate friend Ira Phelps, of Pleasant Valley, were both
Methodists in Connecticut and may have been the means of the introduction
of Methodist preaching and the organization of the first Methodist Episcopal
Church in this town.
Moses Amadon, in the summer of the year 18 16, began to preach in a
school-house south of Frisbie's, then standing between the present residence
of Samuel Root, esq., and that of Mrs. Isabella Farnsworth, and then not far
from the residences of Simpson Goodspeed and Elijah Dunton. Here, in the
early summer of this year, the first class, forming the original nucleus of the
present Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized, with only five members.
They were as follows : Leader, Levi Frisbie ; members, Sally Frisbie, Amy
Hatch, Lydia Dunton, Clara Low. To these were soon after added : John
Low, Mrs. Goodspeed, Anna Goodspeed, Mercy Goodspeed, John Ferris,
Patience Ferris, Mrs. Widow Martin, Lucy Loveland, Betsey Farnsworth. The
place of worship was at the school-house above named, and Fisher's Mills
occasionally, and subsequently at the school-house in the south part of the
village (now the residence of Dewit Hooper), but this was usually occupied on
the Sabbath by the Baptists as their place of worship. The social meetings
were held at Frisbie's, Ferris's and Low's, near the present residence of Henry
Shelden. The quarterly meetings, which drew the people together from all
parts of the circuit, where sometimes held in Captain Frisbie's barn, occasion-
ally in the grove adjoining the late residence of William Frisbie, sometimes in
Judge Hatch's hall (1821 N. Allen), and later, in 1830-31, they were held
once or twice in the Baptist church, which stood on the hill opposite the resi-
dence of A. Carpenter. Later still, the services, both social and public, were
held constantly in the school-house in the north part of the village, afterwards
changed to a dwelling-house, and now owned by Mrs. Wolcott. This was the
regular place of worship for twenty years, until the church was erected in 1836.
The organization of the work, and the appointment of preachers till 1826,
were as follows : —
Champlain District — Ticonderoga Circuit. — 1 8 1 7, Henry Stead, presid-
ing elder ; Phineus Dowe, preacher ; 1818, Henry Stead, presiding elder; Eh
Barrett, preacher; 18 19, John B. Stratton, presiding elder; Seymour Landon,
preacher; 1820, John B. Stratton, presiding elder; James Lovel, preacher;
this year large additions were made to the membership, among them were
Sally Frisbie, Mrs. James Mclntyre, Joshua Smith, Susan Smith and Kate
Smith, Nathaniel Allen and wife were received by letter ; 1821, John B. Strat-
ton, presiding elder; Seymour Landon, preacher; 1822, John B. Stratton,
presiding elder; Ibri Cannon, preacher; 1823, Buel Goodsell, presiding elder ;
Orin Pier, preacher ; 1 824, Buel Goodsell, presiding elder ; Solomon Stebbins,
preacher; 1825, Buel Goodsell, presiding elder; Solomon Stebbins, preacher;
1826, Buel Goodsell, presiding elder; Orris Pier and Asa Bushnell, preachers.
40
626 History of Essex County.
The year 1827 witnessed a change in the arrangements of the general
work in Northeastern New York and Northwestern Vermont. A new district
was organized called Plattsburg District, with five circuits as its entire area ;
they were Plattsburg, Ticonderoga, Peru, Chazy and Grand Isle. James Quin-
lan was presiding elder and stationed preacher at Plattsburg, and Orris Pier
and Cyrus Meeker were appointed to Ticonderoga Circuit. In 1828 John
Clark was presiding elder, and F. W. Sizer and W. Burt preachers.
At the conference at which the above were appointed the old Ticonderoga
Circuit was divided. Ticonderoga and Crown Point constituted one division
and retained the name of Ticonderoga, while Moriah, Westport, Elizabeth-
town, Essex and Willsboro formed the other and new circuit, and took the
name of Westport Circuit. The first quarterly meeting was held at Willsboro,
September 27th and 28th. Levi Frisbie, E. Bull, F. King and H. Tomlinson
were appointed circuit stewards, one for each town, except Essex, which does
not appear until 1 830, and is then called Essex Bay. In 1829 Westport was
connected with the Champlain District, with Tobias Spicer presiding elder,
and Orville Kyrepton and Joseph Fames preachers. The year 1830 found
O. Kyrepton and G. W. Esty preachers, and at its close three hundred and
fifty-one members were reported. The year 1831 presents another change
of district, at least in name, Middlebury taking the place of Champlain.
Hiram Chase was appointed preacher in charge and P. M. Hitchcock assistant.
A class was organized at Wadham's Mills, and preaching first instituted there.
The class was composed as follows : Captain Levi Frisbie, leader, with Nathan
Jones, Thomas Wessons, Mrs. T. Wessons, Cyrenus Payne and a Lack family>
in all ten persons, as members. The Troy Conference was formed by dividing
the New York Conference.
In 1832 the circuit was named in the minutes of Conference Westport and
Essex, with Hiram Chase, Barney Hitchcock, and one to be supplied. The
supply appears to have been Luman Andrews for the first quarter, and I.
Whitford the remainder of the year. The records show that there was but
one circuit, quarterly meetings being held as one circuit, but in regard to
financial matters it appears as two circuits, Hitchcock being reported invari-
ably as receiving salary from Essex and Willsboro, and the other two from
the remaining portions of the circuit. The Westport portion embraced West-
port, Lewis, Center and North, Wadham's Mills, Brainard's Forge, Fisher
Mills, Moriah and Port Henry, or more properly, Cheever Orebed.
At the opening of the conference year, beginning in 1833, Cyrus Prindle
became presiding elder, and Amos Hazeltine, Christopher B. Morris and Peter
H. Smith, circuit preachers. The conference voted to buy or build a parson-
age, and appointed John Gibbs, Joseph Burligame, R. S. Odell, D. Holcomb
and William Frisbie a committee for that purpose.
The year 1834 finds Middlebury District, Westport and Moriah Circuit,
Town of Westport. 627
with Ezra Sayres and Andrew C. Mills preachers. The parsonage was pur-
chased this year.
A movement was also begun to build a church at Westport village, and a
subscription paper dated December 13th, 1834, and a diagram of the proposed
edifice were prepared and presented, and subscriptions made as follows :
" One-half the amount to be paid on or before the first day of October next
ensuing, and the other half on or before the first of October after that ; or in
1836." And one-fourth part of each payment was to be cash, and the
remaining three-fourths "in good merchantable neat-cattle, grain or iron."
The church building was to be commenced in 1835 ^"d completed in 1836.
Members of the church still living give the names of the committee as Dr.
Holcomb, C. B. Hatch and Levi Frisbie.
This edifice was not completed for dedication until 1837. The house was
built of stone, about forty by sixty feet outside measurement. It was dedi-
cated by Rev. Peter C. Oakley, presiding elder of the district, and the dedica-
torial prayer was offered by Rev. Gilbert Lyon. The original cost of its
construction was $3,942.61. It remained unchanged until 1866, when, during
the pastorate of Rev. David Lytle, it was enlarged by the addition of twenty
feet to its length, and entirely remodeling its internal structure, at an expense
of $4,000.
A debt of $1,000 or $1,200 was left, which was not fully liquidated until
the fall of 1880, when the last dollar of both principal and interest was paid.
The trustees and building committee at the enlargement and repairing were as
follows : Trustees, D. L. Allen, Samuel Root, P. D. Merriam, William Frisbie,
Aaron Clark, C. W. Holcomb. Committee on repairs, Samuel Root, P. D.
Merriam, D. L. Allen. Aaron Clarke was appointed as acting committee and
builder, and under his supervision the work was completed. The rededication
took place March, L867, Rev. E. Wentworth, D. D., of Troy, and Rev. J. E.
Bowen, presiding elder of Plattsburg District, officiating.
In 183s John M. Weaver was presiding elder, and Josiah H. Brown and
Bishop Isbell preachers. The quarterly conference at the beginning of the
year ordered Brown to continue his labors at Westport and Isbell at Moriah.
At the conference of 1836 Westport and Moriah were separated, and Westport
and Essex united. The Revs. J. R. Colman, J. H. Brown and B. Pomeroy
were circuit preachers. In 1837 Westport and Essex were separated, and
Moriah was again attached to Westport. Peter C. Oakley became presiding
elder. Lewis Potter and H. W. Stewart acted as circuit preachers.
The circuit took the name of Westport and Moriah Circuit, which was
returned for two years, when Westport became a station and has so remained
till now. The labors of Potter, however, were restricted to Westport and of
Stewart to Moriah, virtually making two stations. The same preachers were
continued during the year 1838. The year 1839 found again John M. Weaver
628 History of Essex County.
presiding elder, and John W. Belknapp at Westport as stationed preacher.
Belknapp staid the constitutional time of two years, and was succeeded for one
year by Rev. William M. Chipp, in 1841. During the pastorate of the Rev.
Mr. Chipp, at the last quarterly conference, a committee was appointed, con-
sisting of WiUiam Mclntyre, Andrew Frisbie, D. Holcomb, John Greely and
Aaron Clark, to procure a lot and build a parsonage. This was not consum-
mated, however, until four years subsequently, when, during the pastorate of
R. T. Wade, another resolution was passed instructing the committee to pro-
ceed with that enterprise, and at the last quarterly conference an apportion-
ment was made to pay for the building. This building stands adjoining and
directly north of the church.
The following is a complete list of preachers and presiding elders from
1 84 1 to the present: —
1841, William M. Chipp, preacher; J. M. Weaver, presiding elder; 1842,
John Thomson, preacher; J. M. Weaver, presiding elder; 1843, John Thom-
son, preacher ; Charles P. Clark, presiding elder ; 1844, Hiram Chase,
preacher; T. Seymour, presiding elder; 1845, Richard T. Wade, preacher;
D. Starks, presiding elder; 1846, Valentine Brown, preacher; D. Starks, pre-
siding elder; 1847, William W. Pierce, preacher; D. Starks, presiding elder;
1848, D. P. Hulburd, preacher; D. Starks, presiding elder; 1849, Benjamin
Pomeroy, preacher; John M. Weaver, presiding elder; 1850, Benjamin Pom-
eroy, preacher; John M. Weaver, presiding elder; 185 1, William H. Tiffany,
preacher ; John M. Weaver, presiding elder ; 1852, Charles L. Hagar,
preacher ; John M. Weaver, presiding elder ; 1853, Charles L. Hagar,
preacher; William Griffin, presiding elder ; 1854, I. F. Yates, preacher; Wil-
ham Griffin, presiding elder; 1855, I. F. Yates, preacher; William Griffin,
presiding elder; 1856, Peter R. Storer, preacher; William Griffin, presiding
elder; 1857, William W. Foster, preacher ; D. P. Hulburd, presiding elder;
1858, WilHam W. Foster, preacher; D. P. Hulburd, presiding elder; 1859,
Isaac C. Fenton, preacher; D. P. Hulburd, presiding elder; i860, Isaac C.
Fenton, preacher; D. P. Hulburd, presiding elder; 1861, T. W. Harwood,
preacher; O. Gregg, presiding elder; 1862, T. W. Harwood, preacher; O.
Gregg, presiding elder; 1863, George S. Gold, preacher; O. Gregg, presiding
elder; 1864, George S. Gold, preacher; O. Gregg, presiding elder; 1865,
David Lytle, preacher; J. E. Bowen, presiding elder; 1866, David Lytle,
preacher; J. E. Bowen, presiding elder; 1867, J- B. Sylvester, preacher;
J. E. Bowen, presiding elder; 1868, J. B. Sylvester, preacher; J. E. Bowen,
presiding elder; 1869, A. Campbell, preacher; A. Witherspoon, presiding
elder; 1870, A. Campbell, preacher; A. Witherspoon, presiding elder; 1871,
E. Morgan, preacher; A. Witherspoon, presiding elder; 1872, E. Morgan,
preacher; A. Witherspoon, presiding elder; 1873, J. G. Gooding, preacher;
T. A. Griffin, presiding elder; 1874, J. G. Gooding, preacher; T. A. Griffin,
Town of Westport. 629
presiding elder; 1875, J. G. Gooding, preacher; T. A. Griffin, presiding
elder; 1876, B. S. Sharp, preacher; T. A. Griffin, presiding elder; 1877,
B. S. Sharp, preacher; J. M. Webster, presiding elder; 1878, A. J. Ingals,
preacher ; J. M. Webster, presiding elder ; 1879, J. E. Bowen, preacher ;
J. M. Webster, presiding elder; 1880, J. E. Bowen, preacher; J. M. Webster,
presiding elder ; 1881, J. E. Bowen, preacher ; James H. Bond, presiding
elder. The membership was 214. In 1882-83 Rev. H. Robbihs officiated as
pastor, and was succeeded in 1884 by the Rev. A. D. Heart, the present pas-
tor. The present officers are as follows : Trustees, C. E. Stevens, Israel Patti-
son, Peter Ferris, William Douglass, Aaron Clark, D. L. Allen, D. A. Clark,
John Hoffiiagle, Albert Carpenter; stewards, D. L. Allen, G. W. Spencer,
H. E. Eastman, William Douglass, A. Clark, C. Bennett, E. J. Sherman, H. R.
Betts, Martin Pierce, D. F. Payne, H. H. Shelden ; class leaders, H. W. Fris-
bie, A. A. Allen, Edward Osborne, John Farnsworth, E. J. Floyd, Thomas
Dickinson, Frank Sweat.
Baptist Church. — This church was started in Elizabethtown in 1807, the
first members being Elisha Collins, Keepsy Bachelor, William Denton, Timo-
thy Harrington, Sarah Ellis and Triphena Bachelor. At the second meeting
Anna Loveland and Arvis Harrington joined them. Rev. Henry Chamber-
lain, of Vermont, preached the first sermon, November 12, 1807. Elizabeth-
town, Jay and Bridport, Vt., met under Solomon Brown, moderator, and
completed the organization. Elisha Collins was their first preacher, but they
had no settled pastor until 18 13, when Solomon Brown preached half the time
and Deacon Holcomb the remainder. Then for two years Deacon Holcomb
preached the whole time. Up to 1824, Revs. John S. Carter, Seth Ewer, Jer-
emiah H. Dwyer, and Ebenezer Mott were pastors. Rev. Isaac Sawyer fol-
lowed Mott five years, then Sidney Estes, A. Woods and D. H. Renney ; C.
W. Hodges, 1857, Rev. Thomas Brandt, Revs. Reynolds, Thomas Brandt again,
S. W. Whiting, Brandt the third time, William Grant, Thomas G. Wright, O-
W. Maxley, F. P. Lang, Stephen Wright, Charles H. Nash, I. E. Howd, H. C.
Lyon, Wayne Brewster, J. F. Genung, and the last pastor, Rev. P. S. McKil-
lop, who came here in April, 1882, and remained until the fall of 1884. The
first edifice was erected in 1828 on the highest hill west of the village, moved
down from the height in 1839, repaired in 1868, and burned in 1876. The
present house of worship was built in 1876-77. The church has no pastor
now. The present officers are as follows : Deacons, James A. Allen, A. P.
Cole ; Frank E. Smith, Clerk ; trustees, C. H. Eddy, R. J. Ingalls, A. P.
Cole, James A. Allen, L. B. Newell, A. J. Daniels, Arthur D. Newell, Frank
E. Smith.
Catholic Church. — The Catholic Church of Westport was organized about
1857, and the first priest was the Rev. Shield from Keeseville. The church ed-
ifice was commenced in 1857, but coiild not be completed before 1880. The
630 History of Essex County.
services are at present administered by Father Holihan, of Elizabethtown.
The present trustees are the priest, P. P. Bacon and Michael Fhnn
Post- Office. — The first postmaster at Westport, or North West Bay, was
Samuel Cook, the office then being on the south side of the brook. Charles
B. Hatch was an early postmaster, and probably succeeded Cook. In about
1840 WiUiam Cutting followed Hatch, and in 1852 was himself succeeded by
Harvey Pierce. Shortly after this Edmund Pierce, brother to Harvey, received
the appointment, but was soon replaced by his predecessor and brother. John
H. Low was the next postmaster, and officiated for years, being followed at
last by his son Edwin B. Low. The present incumbent, W. Douglass, fol-
lowed P2. B. Low in 1872.
Wadham's Mills. — This village derived its name from an early resident
and the founder of the present milling industry at the place. The land that
the store and grist mill of D. F. Payne now stand on, was purchased by Lu-
man Wadhams of Abijah Cheever, Elizabeth S. Cheever and Charles A. Chee-
ver. Previous to this the Wadhams family lived in what is now known as the
Phelps tavern which stands about midway between the villages of Lewis and Eliz-
abethtown. Sometime before 1826 General Wadhams came to the site of the
village that now bears his name, and began the construction of mills on the
splendid water power created by the falls in the Boquet river, at that place.
On the third day of May in that year Barnabas Myrick purchased a half inter-
est in the water power for five hundred dollars, and entered into an agreement
under seal with General Wadhams, according to the terms of which the parties
thereto built a large grist-mill on the lot (since known as the grist-mill lot)
which now constitutes the brick part of the present mill of D. F. Payne. Af-
ter Luman Wadhams's death, in about 1832, the lot became the property of
his two sons, William L. and Abraham E. Wadhams, Myrick still retaining his
interest .in the water power. In 1848, Myrick having died, his widow trans-
ferred the interest which had thus devolved upon her, to the Wadhams. The
land and milling property passed to William L. Wadhams in 1863, and to
D. F. Payne, the present owner, in 1865. In 1868, Mr. Payne enlarged the
old mill to its present size. An old grist-mill stood in the early part of the
century on the site of the one just sketched, but no traces of it are left. Mr-
Payne also built, in 1867, the present saw-mill on the same ground formerly
occupied by a structure employed for a like purpose. In 1873 he began the
construction of a two-fired forge on the site of the old forge described in the
early part of this chapter, run by Barnabas Myrick. He finished it in 1875,
added a fire in 1879, and another in 1880, so that he now owns a four-fired
forge. Ore is brought from the Moriah, Feronia, and Chateaugay mines. C.
R. Payne, father of D. F. Payne, was born in Brookfield, town of Essex, in
1798. He came to Wadham's Mills in 1839. D. F. Payne was born in 1841.
In 1868, after becoming possessed of and entitled to the grist-mill and saw-
Town of Westport. 631
mill property, as stated, he moved into his present residence, tTie old homestead
of the Wadhams family, which, with all the other land heretofore mentioned,
formed a part of lot No. 24. In addition to the milling and iron business,
Mr. Payne conducts a general mercantile business in Wadham's Mills, having
started a store in 1869 in the same building wherefrom he dispenses his wares.
C. D. Sprague, also deals in general merchandise here. He opened his store
in May, 1875, removing into his present quarters in 1880. H. C. Avery began
a general mercantile business here in 1874 in the same building he now occu-
pies.
In 1872 the Gibbs brothers, of Westport, established a foundry facing the
mill here at the end of the bridge on the east bank of the river. In 1881 N.
J. Gibbs became sole proprietor as he now remains.
Hotels. — The one hotel in this place was built about 1831 by Isaac Alden
the first proprietor. Horace Bram'an kept it as far back as 1843, and built the
addition on the corner which has since been variously used as a store and har-
ness shop since then. George Angier followed Braman in about 1846 or
1847. David H. Sayre followed Angier and owned the property a number
of years, part of the time leasing it. Joel F. Whitney succeeded Sayre in the
ownership and was in turn succeeded, in the fall of 1866, by Eli Farnsworth.
In 1 87 1 Almond Chappel bought out Farnsworth and changed the name of
the hotel from its old title of Exchange Hotel to the Chappel House. Isaac W.
Hatch purchased the property of Chappel in" 1881, and remained until April,
1884, when D. F. Payne obtained title and leased the premises to Chappel,
who left in the spring of 1885.
Schools. — The present district school building was erected in 1846, on the
site of the former one which had been destroyed by fire. At the time of the
fire this first structure was a very old building.
Churches. — There are two churches in this village, Methodist and Con-
gregational. The Congregational Church was formed March 29th, 1827.
Among its first members being Luman Wadhams, Calvin Wiley, Jesse Bra-
man, Alexander Whitney and Thomas Hadley. The meeting was held in the
old school-house near the residence of Jesse Braman. They erected their edi-
fice in about 1836. The present pastor is Rev. C. Ransom; the present dea-
cons are N. M. Clark and E. O. Hodgkins. It seems that there was a society
here of this denomination in 1813, but no records or reminiscences are left to
commemorate the eff"orts of its members.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed here as early as 1830. Be-
fore that it was united with the Westport charge. Services were held in the
school-house until 1873 when the present edifice was erected. Services are
now held by the Westport pastor three times monthly. The present officers
are: Class-leaders, Franklin Sweat, Thomas Dickinson; steward, E. J. Sher-
man ; Sunday-school superintendent, E. J. Sherman.
632 History of Essex County.
Post-office. — It is thought that WilHam L. Wadhams was the first postmaster
here, though the date of his appointment is not known. In 1850 J. R. De-
Lano took the oath of office. He was followed in 1852 by William L. Wad-
hams. In 1856 Dr. Asa P. Hammond was appointed, and in 1861 was suc-
ceeded by D. W. Braman. A. C. Hall officiated from 1865 to 1870, at which
time the present postmaster, D. F. Payne, began the performance of postal
duties here.
T'
CHAPTER XXXIX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MINERVA.
^HE town of Minerva was formed from Schroon on the 7th of March,
X 1817. A part of Newcomb was taken off in 1828, and in November,
1870, a part of Schroon was annexed. The details of these changes of bound-
ary will be found in the session laws of the years named. Minerva is in the
extreme southwest corner of the county ; it is bounded north by Newcomb
and North Hudson ; east by North Hudson and Schroon ; south by Warren
county, and west by Hamilton county. Its physical formation is peculiar and
striking, the whole face of its territory being elevated and bordered in the
northeast and east by a mountainous region. The general upland is from
twelve hundred to fifteen hundred feet above tide, rises in a succession of lofty
valleys, formed by deep, broad and sweeping undulations. In describing the
natural features of the town, ten years ago, Mr. Watson said : " Minerva
is a rugged and mountainous town, containing about one-third mountain, one-
third feasible land, and the residue rough and stony." A large portion of the
soil is cold and hard and only moderately productive, but there are quite a
number of excellent farms and the industry and frugality of the inhabitants
have made the town a reputation for thrift that is not enjoyed by many in
more favorable localities.
The Hudson river, rising up near the foot of Mount Marcy in the town of
Keene, flows southeasterly across the town of Newcomb and enters the town
of Minerva near the northeast corner, where it unites- with Indian river; the
stream then continues in a southeasterly direction to near the center of the
town, where its current receives the Boreas river, which flows from the ex-
treme northeast corner of the town to where it unites with the Hudson ; the
latter stream then turns southward and crosses the town line at about its cen-
ter. Many small streams, pure and cold, flow into these larger rivers, lending
beauty to the landscape and affording excellent drainage. There are, perhaps,
Town of Minerva. 633
a score of small lakes and ponds in the town, most of them without names,
clear and cold and furnishing first-class sporting grounds. Lumbering has
for many years been the principal industry of the town and there are still rem-
nants of the orignal forest standing in some of the back districts. There are
two post-offices in the town, Olmsteadville and Minerva. There is no direct
railroad connection with other sections of the country ; but the construction
of the Adirondack railroad to North creek, in the northern part of Warren
county, gives the inhabitants good transportation facilities.
Settlement began in this town in 1804 and was confined for many years
chiefly to the southeastern part along the line of the old road extending from
Chester to St. Lawrence county. Ebenezer West, with his sons, Nathan,
Ebenezer and John, came in in 1804; they located near the present Minerva
post-office at Morse's Corners. But little further is known of the family.
William Hill came in about the same time and located on the site of Olmstead-
ville ; he was offered a bonus of either two or four hundred acres of land if he
would build a saw-mill and grist-mill. This arrangement was carried out and
the first grist-mill built on the Minerva creek, on the side of the bridge oppo-
site the present mill. Mr. Hill had a son Ira who settled at the same place,
and another named William, whose throat was cut by an accident with an axe.
Thomas Leonard cam^ in probably soon after those already named and located
about half a mile from the site of Olmsteadville on the farm now occupied by
Thomas Wilson. His large family of sons, among whom were Jonathan, Isaac,
David and Thomas, lived in the town, but are now all deceased. Richard Miller
settled about this time near the Morse Corners. He had a son Thomas, who re-
moved to Alleghany county, and a daughter who became the wife of William
Evans. Abner Talman located in the town before 1 8 1 o ; he was a carpenter, but
removed away before 1830. James Cary settled early on the North river, near
the Chester line, whither he removed from near the Morse's, where he lived a
short time. Philo Hawley settled on the road leading from Minerva to " Hoff-
man's,'' on the place now occupied by John Dougherty. He had several sons
who were farmers. Elijah Barnes came to the town of North Hudson (then in
Schroon) from New Hampshire in 1802. Six years later he removed to South
Schroon. The venerable Thomas S. Barnes now living near Olmsteadville, is
a son of Elijah Barnes, and is among the oldest residents of the county. He
has had much to do with the growth of Minerva, as will appear. Edward Talbot
settled in the town about the year 181 1, near the site of Olmsteadville. He
was a farmer and, like many other early settlers, kept a tavern in early years.
The mills at Olmsteadville, after passing through the hands of Mr. White, were
bought by Mr. Talbot. He subsequently sold them to T. S. Barnes who re-
built them about 1840, in their present form. Charles and Edward Talbot,
now living in the town, are sons of Edward, and there are many other de-
scendants living in the vicinity. The latter kept about the first store also
634 History of Essex County.
and was a prominent man in the community. Absalom P. and Asa Morse,
brothers, settled in the town at what is commonly known as the Morse Cor-
ners, about 1 812. The former became a very prominent man; was a success-
ful farmer, a surveyor and for many years acted as land agent here. O. P.
Morse, now a resident of the town, is a son of A. P. Morse. Among others
who came into town at an early day was a family named Jones who located in
the west part. The sons were named Charles, Elijah, Levi, Daniel and James,
all of whom lived in that section. William Champney located in the southern
part and raised a family all of whom are dead. Jonathan Russell settled early
on the site of Olmsteadville ; he had sons, who are dead.
These pioneers in the town found a rugged wilderness in which to establish
their homes ; but tne work was begun with energy, and the heavy forests soon
succumbed to the ringing axes and the soil that in man}- places failed to re-
spond luxuriantly to the early farmer's labors, was cultivated where possible to
raise the necessary grains and vegetables for the current wants of the community-
In such districts the lumber business offered almost the only source of immediate
income and hence nearly everybody engaged in it to the extent of their cir-
cumstances and surroundings. Saw- mills were built wherever water power
was found and the roads were soon covered with teams laden with lumber for
distant markets. The lumber interest of this town, outside of what was done
for home accommodation, did not begin extensively until about 1840—45, when
Thomas S. Barnes cut the first lot of logs for running down to the river, for
which purpose he built a stone dam on the creek. This lot comprised six
hundred logs, and from that time to the present, every season has seen thou-
sands of valuable logs sent down the streams to the great mills below. The
forests of this town were not largely composed of pine ; but hemlock and
spruce predominated. Of course this method of lumbering is not the one most
conducive to the wealth of the town or those engaged in it ; the tendenc}' be-
ing rather to sweep the territory of its timber in the shortest possible time,
without receiving the income that would be realized if the logs were manu-
factured into lumber where they were cut. The consequence has been the
decay of mills and so rapid a consumption of timber that the lumber interest in
all its branches is fast declining and must soon give way entirely to agricul-
ture and other occupations.
The iron industry has received some attention in this town and a little ore
was taken out some years ago and transported to North creek ; but the char-
acter of the ore, the distance inland, depression in values, etc., have prevented
the profitable development of the industry.
The Minerva Iron Companj' was a powerful organization formed just be-
fore 1870, and began operations for the establishment of a first-class forge
with eight fires, about two and a half miles from Olmsteadville. Considerable
money was expended, but owing to declining prices for iron, and the other
obstacles mentioned, the enterprise was abandoned.
Town of Minerva. 635
The large quantity of hemlock timber growing in the town led to the estab-
lishment at Olmsteadville about the year 1840 of a large tannery by Sanford
and Levi Olmstead, from whom the hamlet takes its name. The building was
about three hundred feet long and for a number of years a very heavy busi-
ness was done in the manufacture of leather. The tannery was subsequently
transferred to the Finn Brothers and by them to Frazier, Major & Co., of New-
York. It was burned in 1867.
With the clearing up of the lands incident to the extensive cutting of tim-
ber for saw logs has greatly extended the possibilities of agriculture in the
town ; and already farm owners have exhibited -a commendable spirit of prog-
ress in the improvement of their methods of farming, their farm buildings and
increased acreage cultivated. To this avocation the inhabitants must undoubt-
edly look for a large share of future advancement; while the wealth of the
community will be considerably augmented from year to year, by the annual
concourse of pleasure-seekers and sportsmen, who either halt within the town
or pass through it in quest of recreation and renewed health.
With the outbreak of the civil war this town was prompt in upholding the
government, promptly filling its quotas under the various calls of the president
for troops, and contributing in every way to the Union cause. Further details
on this subject will be found in the chapter devoted to military matters.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The town of Minerva has little to boast of in respect to municipal history.
There is but one business center that can possibly claim the title of village,
which is Olmsteadville. The post-office was established here some forty years
ago or more. Charlotte A. Dornburgh has been in charge of the office since
1880, succeeding Robert Dornburgh. He was preceded by E. M. Barnes.
The mercantile bu.siness of the village embraces the store of W. H. Sulli-
van. On this site there has been a store kept many years, John Bradley
being one of the early merchants here. The store building was rebuilt and
greatly enlarged in 1871 by Henry Bradley. He was succeeded after a few
years by Andrew Johnston, who was there several years. He sold out to
Bradley & Sullivan, and Mr. Sullivan purchased his partner's interest after one
year. McGuire & Mulhern were in mercantile trade here many years ago.
They were succeeded by John Mulhern alone, and he sold to E. Butler, who
continued trade seven years, and was succeeded May 1st, 1885, by Powers &
Shaw (Thomas Powers and Anson B. Shaw). Andrew Johnston, before men-
tioned, keeps a general store where he bought out Thomas McGuire in 1881.
He has been in trade in the place since 1876. A hardware store and tin and
sheet iron works were opened in October, 1884, by L. D. Pereau ; the firm
now carrying it on is Pereau & Warren. The blacksmithing of the place is
done by M. Talbot, who has followed the trade here for twenty- four years.
636 History of Essex County.
Matthew Clifford has been in wagon-making here for twenty years. The
Alpine Hotel in Olmsteadville was built about the year 1855, by Henry Brad-
ley, who kept it until 1865, when Patrick Sullivan, the present landlord, took
it and has successfully catered to the public since. Dr. Aldrich is the only
physician now practicing here; Dr. J. C. Wall died in 1885. The grist-mill
and saw-mill here, which have been described, are now owned by Ed. Lavery.
There are two other post-offices in the town. Minerva is located a little
more than two miles from Olmsteadville, towards the center of the town.
There is no business transacted here except a small store connected with the
post-office. David Jones is postmaster. He was preceded by O. P. Morse
and his father for about thirty years, the office then being located at the Morse
Corners. Considerable trade was formerly carried on at the latter point-
William and Richard Evans were early merchants there and were followed by
Elmer Dunlap. Wilber Bissell keeps the Dunlap House here. The other
post-office is Boreas River, in the northeastern part. Mrs. Nelson Labier is
postmistress. There is no settlement of any consequence here.
Churches. — Mr. T. S. Barnes built the Methodist Church at Olmsteadville
about the year 1848. For many years previous to that date the pioneer Meth-
odist preachers who worked in the cause of religion all through this region,
and who have been mentioned in the history of Westport, Schroon and other
towns, preached in this town in school-houses and private houses. Services
have been held in this church, but not with regularity. Rev. Mr. Jenkins now
serves the people in connection with those at Pottersville and North Chester
in Warren county. The Baptist Church near the Minerva post-office was
erected about the same time that the Methodist was built. Services have
been held since, some of the time regularly, but generally once in two weeks.
The society is now served by Rev. Mr. Hill, who also preaches in the church at
" The Gore." The society is weak in numbers. The old Catholic Church was
built about the year 1850, and the present handsome edifice about ten years
since. There are about one hundred families in the church, of which Father
J. B. Le Grand is in charge. He succeeded Father E. Blanchard and he Father
Pellitier.
The first town meeting in this town was held on the first of April, 1817, at
which the following officers were elected ; Supervisor, Absalom P. Morse ;
town clerk, John Shaw, jr. ; assessors, Nathan West, William Hill and John
Shaw ; overseer of the poor, Richard Miller and Alfred White ; commissioners
of highways, James Cary, Alfred White and Samuel Baker; constable and col-
lector, Elijah Jones ; commissioners of schools, James Cary, Alfred White and
Samuel Bacon ; inspectors of schools, Absalom P. Morse, William Hill and
Samuel Baker; fence viewers, Richard Miller, WiUiam Hill and Samuel Baker;
pound keeper, Jonathan Leonard ; overseer of highways, " first beat," Nathan
West ; " second beat," Solomon Williams ; " third beat," A. P. Morse.
Town of Wilmington. 637
Reference to the early records informs us that at a special meeting held in
1817, $8.90 was raised to pay for the care of the poor at the time of the
division of the town. Much of the work of the town officers for several years
after the town was organized was devoted to laying out and improving roads ;
this is the case in all new towns. In 181 8 the following were elected justices:
A. P. Morse, John Shaw and Ithamar West. The first year's town accounts
amounted to $28.27. In 1821 it was voted that $10 be paid for killing a wolf;
$5 for a bear and $2 for a fox.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation to the
present time, with the years of their service: 1818-19, Absalom P. Morse;
1820-21, Ithamar West; 1822-23, A. P. Morse ; 1824, Harlow Baker ; 1825,
A. P. Morse; 1826, Harlow Baker; 1827-28, A. P. Morse; 1829, Elias E.
D. Wood; 1830-31, Eleazer E. Palmer; 1832, Edward Talbot; 1833, E. E.
Palmer; 1834-35, Edward Talbot ; 1836-37, David Gates; 1838-39, Edward
Talbot; 1840, Ithamar West; 1841, A.P.Morse; 1842, Wm. Evans; 1843
to 1847 inclusive, Edward Talbot; 1848, James F. Doyne ; 1849, Warren
Hill; 1850, Anson West ; 1851, Edward Talbot ; 1852 to 1854 inclusive, J.
R. Boughton; 1855, Thomas Miller ; 1856, ; 1857, Homer A. Fenn ;
1858, Alanson West; 1859-60, Wm. Long ; 1 86 1-62, Charles Mclntyre; 1863-
64, Thomas McGuire ; 1865 to 1872 inclusive, Henry Bradley; 1873-74,
Thomas Powers ; 1875-76, John Dougherty ; 1877-78. Henry Bradley ; 1879,
Wesley Barnes; 1880, Henry Bradley; 1881-82, Wesley Barnes ; 1883-84,
Edward Butler, jr. ; 1885, Thomas Powers.
The present town officers are : Supervisor, Thomas Powers ; town clerk,
JohnMulhern; collector, Edward M. Talbot; assessor, Wm. Kellogg; com-
missioner of highways, Robert Gilliland ; justice of the peace, David Wilson ;
overseer of the poor, John Ryan ; auditors, Matthew Clifford, Robert Wilson,
John Dougherty ; inspectors of election, Charles McGinn, James McGowen,
John Mea ; commissioner of excise, John C. Wall ; constables, Edward Ryan,
jr., J. H. Mitchell, Peter Lindsay, Ed. M. Talbot ; game constables, Frederick
Loveland ; sealer of weights and measures Peter Lindsay.
CHAPTER XL.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON.
THE town of Wilmington was taken off from Jay, March 27th, 1821, and
was first named " Dansville." On the 22d of March, 1822, its name was
changed to Wilmington. St. Armand was formed from it in 1844. It lies
between St. Armand on the west and Jay on the east, on the northern border
638 History of Essex County.
of the county. The west branch of the Ausable river, whose head waters are
found in the Indian Pass, between Mount Wallface and Mclntyre, and a few
feet from the source of the Hudson, flows in a northeasterly direction, nearly
through the center of this town and forms the drainage of an extensive valley
stretching with an irregular surface between two parallel ranges of the Ausable
Mountains, which in the south rise to an elevation of 2,500 or 3,000 feet, the
western range culminating in the isolated and majestic Mount Whiteface. This
peak attains a height of 4,870 feet above tide and derives its name from a land-
slide which has laid bare the rocks upon its southeastern slope, giving it a
whitish gray appearance. From the summit of Whiteface can be had one of
the finest views in Northern New York, owing not more to its great height
(which is exceeded by several mountains farther south) than to its singular iso-
lation and the beauties of the Ausable valley stretching north from its base.
On the eastern side, impending directly over the Ausable, rises a perpendic-
ular cliff of solid rock to an elevation of 2,000 feet and opposite to it another
mountain rises with scarcely less terrible grandeur, compressing the river into
a narrow pass, but a few feet in width, through which the water tumbles and
plunges with a confused and incessant roar, in one place leaping down a per-
pendicular precipice of one hundred feet. This is Wilmington notch. Another
place worthy of note is Copperas pond, so named because its waters are strongly
impregnated with sulphate of iron. The decomposition of iron pyrites has left
also copious deposits of copperas among the rocks in the vicinity.
Thus the topographical aspect of Wilmington is seen to be rough, elevated,
and mountainous, with long slopes descending to the Ausable and its tribu-
taries and presenting a varied and picturesque scenery. The soil is a sandy
and gravelly loam, and where it can be cultivated without danger from the
frequent floods and overflows, occasioned by the numerous declivities which
diversify the face of the town, is very fertile and productive. Beds of iron ore
are numerous but are only slightly worked. Some time between 181 5 and
1820 the Hon. Reuben Sanford, whose name will appear again, created an ex-
tensive iron manufacturing establishment on the site of the village of Wilming-
ton, on the west branch of the Ausable. He suffered great losses through the
violence of the elements and the fluctuations of business, and was obliged at
last to transfer the property to others. It has since gone through a number
of changes. In 1868 the site was occupied by a grist-mill and starch factory,
a saw-mill with three gates and forty saws, and a forge owned by Weston &
Nye, having two fires, but adapted to four, which in that year made about two
hundred tons of iron. The ore was drawn from Palmer Hill. Wilmington
and North Elba comprise about the only district of extent or value in the
county which is occupied by the primitive forest of hemlock, spruce, and pine.
Owing to the almost insurmountable barriers interposed by the mountains
which environ this district, it is impracticable to export manufactured lumber
Town of Wilmington. 639
from this region. Fifteen years ago it was estimated tliat this tract would yield
a million of saw logs. In early times the tillage of the town was devoted al-
most wholly to the production of rye which was used to supply the distilleries.
These works were far more numerous in Wilmington than in any other part of
the county. During the war of 18 12 the manufacture of whisky was a lucra-
tive and therefore extensive occupation, and the revenue of the inhabitants of
Wilmington not only, but of all the towns accessible to the genius of commerce,
was greatly increased. The most prominent manufacturer of whisky in the
county was unquestionably Reuben Sanford, of Wilmington. He was one of
the earliest settlers here, having come with his wife not later than 1803. He
did not establish a residence on the site of Wilmington village, however, until
about 18 1 2. Among the other early settlers were Cyrus Wilson, Isaac Peck,
Allen Peck, Reuben and Daniel Hamblin, Daniel Ray, John Blanchard, Z.
Gray, and Nathaniel Warner.
Reuben Sanford, in addition to his other projects, was the first innkeeper in
the town, Elias Wilson kept the first store, and Leonard Owen built the first
mill. Esther Kellogg was the first school teacher. When Amos Avery, now
living in the village of Wilmington, came here (1822) the region now embraced
within the boundaries of the township was not yet reclaimed from the empire
of nature. There was then only one frame house in the village of Wilming-
ton, now the White House, formerly a hotel, where Mr. Weston lives. Reuben
Sanford had a forge and saw-mill and potash factory here, all of which he had
probably started soon -after his arrival in 181 2. There was a blacksmith shop
here, in which Mr. Avery earned his living. He and a companion used at first
to sleep in this old shop, and on winter mornings would frequently find their
pillows and bed clothes covered with snow which had sifted through the crev-
ices in the walls. Mr. Avery relates the manner in which he came into the
country as being primitive in the extreme. He came from Burlington on
horseback, using stirrups made of a rope tied in a circle and thrown over the
back of the beast he was riding. About two miles south of the village were a
number of Indian wigwams. Reuben Sanford had practically built the whole
village "since 18 12. Besides the enterprises already mentioned which he was
engaged in, he had a store and tavern adjoining the White House inhabited by
Mr. Weston. He had two distilleries and Richard Owen one. Before 1825
Hiram Angepine started a sort of tavern in the building now occupied by Ira
Storrs. He erected a sign (the first in town) in the form of an eagle, which is
yet kept in the place as a testimonial of early enterprise. Angepine kept this
old inn eight or ten years. In 1822 the school-house stood just below the An-
gepine Hotel. There was no church here, but religious meetings used to be
held in the school-house and were made up of four stated attendants, two men
and two women ; Reuben Patridge and wife formed usually half the congre-
gation. The first church edifice erected in the town was the Methodist Church
640 History of Essex County.
in Wilmington village, which Reuben Sanford built in 1833 athisown expense
and largely by his own labor. About the same time he built the store now
used by W. F. & S. H. Weston. Sanford was the mightiest pioneer in the
town, and one of the most prominent men, indeed, in Northern New York.
He represented his district in the Assembly from 18 14 to 18 17, was a delegate
to the Constitutional Convention of 1821, and was a member of the State Senate
for the four years following 1827. He died at Wilmington in 1855.
Wilmington and Jay went hand in hand into the war of the Rebellion, fur-
nishing men when men were most needed and contributing money whenever
money could be spared. The most thoroughly and permanently patriotic men
are those who can feel and meditate upon the blessings of a good government
without being aware from personal experience of anything that could be con-
strued or tortured into a semblance of oppression. The rural districts are
composed almost wholly of this class. The hot-beds of communism and social-
ism are in the larger cities ; the idle, vagrant, worthless, and therefore discon-
tented, malicious and seditious element of a country amalgamate and organize
amidst the hum and bustle which screen them from observation, and permit
their machinations to be prosecuted without let or hindrance. Consequently
the best soldiers in time of war, as well as the best citizens in time of peace,
hail from the more thinly populated districts of the land. This was exemplified
by Wilmington and Jay and all the towns of Essex during the last war.
The first postmaster at Wilmington was Reuben Sanford. He officiated in
1822, and had then been in office for years. His successor was Elisha Adams.
Walter Childs followed Adams and was himself succeeded by George C. White,
who held the appointment until 1865. Then John Forbes, the present post-
master, was placed in charge of the office and has remained in the position down
to the present.
When White officiated the post-office was in the same building now occu-
pied by Forbes. Then until 1876 it was in the building now used as a hotel
by Ira Storrs. Since 1876 it has been in the present building.
The Methodist Church mentioned above was the only one in the town
until 1 86 1, when Nathaniel Wardwell, a Wesleyan clergyman, built the Wes-
leyan Church.
The present business interests of the town and of the village of Wilming-
ton are, except the agricultural interests, identical. The old forge and mills
and stores have been mentioned, and it remains but to notice briefly those
which are now running. The old forge of Reuben Sanford is succeeded by
the present four-fired forge of W. F. & S. H. Weston, which was built in 1874.
They have also a forge in Keene which has been described. They also built
a saw-mill in 1872 which is now doing a thriving business. In connection
with their iron manufacturing they conduct a general store both in Keene and
Wilmington.
Town of Newcomb. 641
Ira Storrs, the proprietor of the only store in Wihnington besides that of
the Messrs. Weston, started his mercantile business in 1873. In 1877 he fitted
up the same building for a hotel which he still keeps. In 1882 L. M. Bliss
enlarged a private house and opened the hotel now called the Bliss House.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation to the
present time with the years of service of each : — Thomas McLeod, 1821-22 ;
Jared Pond, 1823 to 1826 inclusive; Charles Melbourne, 1827-28; Andrew
Hickock, 1829-30; Jared Pond, 1831; Thomas McLeod, 1832; Andrew
Hickock, 1833; Reuben Sanford, 1834; Benjamin H. Jaquis, 1835; Reuben
Sanford, 1836; Nathan B. Markham, 1837-38; Andrew Hickock, 1839; Har-
vey Carter, 1840 to 1843 inclusive; John Melbourne, 1844-45; John Forbes,
1846-47; Elisha A. Adams, 1848 to 1851 inclusive; Horace Beach, 1852;
John Forbes, 1853; Willard Bell, 1854; Daniel D. Kilbourn, 1855; Artemas
Beach, 1856-57; Amos Hardy, 1858 to 1862 inclusive; A. Hickock, 1863;
Henry C. Avery, 1864-65; Amos Hardy, 1866; Sanford Avery, 1867 to
1869 inclusive; Ralza C. Lawrence, 1870 to 1872 inclusive ; Charles Thayer,
1873-74; David B. Hayes, 1875-76; Warren Weston, 1877-78; Ralza C.
Lawrence, 1879-80; John W. Nye, 1881-82 ; Elijah Weston, 1882-84; Henry
Huntington, 1885.
CHAPTER XLI.
history of the town of newcomb.
THE town of Newcomb was not formed until March 15th, 1828, at which
date it was taken from Minerva and Moriah. It lies near the center of
the western border of the county and is bounded north by Franklin county and
the town of North Elba ; east by Keene and North Hudson ; south by Mi-
nerva and North Hudson, and west by Hamilton county. The surface of the
town is elevated, apart from the great altitude of the mountains, ranging from
one thousand five hundred to one thousand eight hundred feet, and presents a
broken, rugged and forbidding aspect; but its slopes and elevated valleys
comprise small tracts of good soil and capable of very successful cultivation.
The Adirondack range of mountains extends through the center of the town
and occupies at least one- half of its surface. The principal peaks are Mounts
Goodwin, Moore, Santanoni and Henderson ; other lesser peaks bearing dis-
tinctive names are Mounts Catlin, Moose, Baldwin, Goodenow, Panther and
others. Wallface, Mclntyre and Marcy, the stateliest peaks in the Adiron-
dacks, are near the northeastern part of the town. Like all this region the
town is studded with beautiful lakes and ponds, and many small streams of
41
642 History of Essex County.
clear spring water course among the mountains. Lake Sanford is the largest
body of water and lies near the center ; it is about four miles long. A little
farther north is Lake Henderson, which is somewhat smaller. Through these
lakes pass the waters of the upper Hudson. Other bodies of water are the
Preston ponds, Newcomb or Delia lake. Rich lake. Perch, Trout, Otter, Latham
and other small ponds. Lake Harris, Lake Golden, and Catlin lake and Chain
lakes which extend across the west line from Hamilton county. The principal
stream is the North or Hudson river, which rises in the town of North Elba,
enters this town in the northeast part, flows southward through Lakes Hender-
son and Sanford, receives the waters of the Opalescent a little south of the
last-named lake, and continues in a general southwestern course, leaving the
town near the southwest corner.
The surface of this town was originally covered with a heavy forest, some
of which still remains, and the principal occupation of the inhabitants for many
years has been the cutting of this timber and running the logs down the
streams or sawing them into lumber. There are immense deposits of iron ore in
the town, of excellent quality, the efforts to work which we shall describe.
The extremely mountainous character of the town and its remoteness from
traveled routes operated to delay permanent settlement until a comparatively
recent date, though isolated farms were taken up as early as 18 16. In that
year Joseph Chandler came in and was followed two years later by James
Chandler, Collins Hewitt, and William Butler. The first settlements were
made on or near the shores of Newcomb lake and Lake Harris, along the old
road from Warren county to Long lake. Joseph Chandler had several sons
and James was his brother; the sons were named Alonzo, Daniel, John and
James. They cleared up a tract and engaged in farming in the locality occu-
pied in recent years by the Chase family. CoUins Hewitt acted as land
agent for some time and subsequently removed to Olmsteadville. William
Butler settled at the foot of the lake. Aunt Polly Bissell, as she is familiarly
called, who still resides there, is a daughter of Mr. Butler.
Abner Belden was another early settler in the town and came in not long
after those mentioned, locating in the western part of the town. His widow
still lives there and they had sons, Abner and Kimball, who now live in town.
David Pierce settled in that vicinity, but removed from the town long ago.
Elisha Bissell was one of the early settlers on Rich lake and was the husband
.of Aunt Polly Bissell. He came from Vermont about 1824. Their sons were
named Daniel, Warren, Charles and Erastus. The family located near the
head of the lake and a number of their descendants are now living in the town
and are prominent citizens. Daniel the eldest of the sons, married Polly But-
ler, who has since become widely known as "Aunt Polly" and for many years
successfully kept the hotel known as "Aunt Polly's Inn." The result of their
union was three sons and one daughter, all of whom are dead. Daniel Bissell
Town of Newcomb. 643
was the first collector and constable of the town and later held several town
offices, among them that of supervisor for many years. His widow still sur-
vives. Warren, the second son of Elisha Bissell, was a resident of the town
during the larger portion of his life, having formerly come to this place from
Vermont. He reared a large family of children and died in the year 1883,
when eighty-one years old. He was by profession a shoemaker and in poli-
tics was a Republican. Charles, the fourth son, still resides near Lake Harris,
on a farm where he has been pleasantly located for many years. Has a fam-
ily of seven children, five sons and two daughters — all living save one son.
Is also a Republican. George M. Bissell, son of Warren Bissell, has been a
long resident of the town. Has a family of four sons and three daughters.
Is quite extensively known as a lumberman. Is a Republican. Charles A.
Bissell, son of Charles Bissell, was also a resident here, and for several years
was supervisor of the town.
A prominent resident of the town has kindly supplied us with the following
additional details of the settlers and their descendants :
Daniel C. Chase has been a prominent resident of the town for about
fifty years. Was born in New Hampshire in 18 16. He located on a farm pur-
chased of James Chandler near the head of Rich lake, where he has ever since
lived and reared a family of seven sons and one daughter ; only four of the
children are now living. He was inspector of common schools in 1839 and
1843, and ajustice of the peace nearly all the time since 1843. Was collector
and town clerk and also supervisor in the years 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1852,
1856, 1858, 1859, i860, 1867, 1868 and 1872, and has been a justice of sessions
of the county. Was always a Republican and a trusty adviser. Washington
Chase, son of Daniel C. Chase, was born in Newcomb in 1845, ^nd has no
doubt been one of the most enterprising citizens of the place. He now resides
near the central part of the town. Has held office since he was twenty-one
years of age — that of supervisor in the years 1869, 1880 and 1881, and is the
present incumbent. Has been postmaster for over eight years, and was for-
merly postmaster at Tahawus, in this town. He has held the office of justice
of the peace since 1869, and has been several times elected town clerk, asses-
sor, etc., and also justice of the sessions for four terms, and coroner of the
county. During the past nine years has been connected with the mercantile
and printing business, and was always a Republican. Jefferson Chase is the
fourth son of Daniel C. Chase ; was born in this town ; has been prominently
known as civil engineer and surveyor. He has always been a resident of this
town. During the year 1882 he erected a circular saw-mill at the outlet of
Rich lake ; was formerly a school teacher and is a Republican in politics.
Caleb J. Chase, a brother of Daniel C. Chase, resides near the east end of Rich
lake, and is widely known as a first-class boat builder. He has lived here
about thirty years. His family consists of four sons and three daughters, all
644 History of Essex County.
of whom are residents of the town. Samuel T. CatHn has been a resident of
the town for about thirty years ; was born in this county. He has always been
a farmer and resides near the west end of Rich lake. Was supervisor of the
town two years. Benjamin Sibley, formerly of Warren county, who has resi-
ded here about fifteen years, has had a large family of children. Has been
justice of the peace for the past ten years and has also held other town offices.
James O. and Daniel H. Braley, old residents of the town, were formerly from
Warren county and were both soldiers in the last war ; are both farmers and
live near the central part of the town. Harrison and Warren Williams are
also old residents of the town and both soldiers in the Rebellion ; were for-
merly Vermonters. The former is proprietor of the " Newcomb House."
Zenas Parker is an old Vermonter, and is now the oldest man in the town.
He has been a resident here about forty years and reared a large family of
children who are all residents of the town ; is a Democrat in politics and the
present town clerk.
So slow was settlement made in Newcomb that as late as the year 1830
there were only eight families permanently located there. John Dornburgh
came into the town in 1838 and located at the hamlet of Newcomb; eight
years later he moved to Long lake. Henry Dornburgh^ located here in 1844.
Settlement has since progressed slowly, there being less than three hundred
population according to the census of 1880; but in many respects the town
has materially advanced in late years. The small farming community is more
prosperous ; a better class of buildings have been erected, and with the pursuit
of the lumber business and the benefits following the advent every summer to
the magnificent sporting grounds and the sublime scenery of this region, the
inhabitants are enjoying a good degree of prosperity.
The most important feature of the history of this town is that relating to
the operations of the Adirondack Iron Company. There are several versions
of the incident leading to the organization of this company and some discrep-
ancy in the date. Mr. Dornburgh, who has published the pamphlet alluded
to, states that the remarkable deposit of ore was discovered by the Indians in
1822 ; but it may have been known to them earlier. Intelligence of the exis-
tence of the vein was conveyed to Archibald Mclntyre, probably in 1825 or
1826 ; this gentleman was then running a forge in the town of Keene, where the
ore was not of the best quahty.^ According to Mr. Dornburgh, Mr. Mclntyre
1 Mr. Dornburgh has recently published a small pamphlet giving an account of the Adirondack
Iron Company's operations in Newcomb, and other interesting facts. Heis aresident ofOlmsteadville.
2 Following is the version of the incident as given in Mr. Watson's History of Essex County : "An
Indian approached the late David Henderson, Esq., of Jersey City, in the year 1826, whilst standing
near the Elba Iron Works, and taking from beneath his blanket a piece of iron ore, he presented it to
Mr. H. with the inquiry expi-essed in his imperfect English, " You want to see 'um ore, me fine plenty
— all same." When asked where it came from, he pointed towards the south-west and explained, "Me
hunt beaver all 'lone, and fine 'um, where water run over iron dam." The Indian proved to be a
brave of the St. Francis tribe, honest, quiet, and intelligent, who spent the summer in hunting in the wilds
Town of Newcomb. 645
was induced to accompany the Indian discoverer to the site of the ore vein.
He found the deposit fully as valuable as it had been represented and steps
were taken by him which resulted in the purchase of two townships, 46 and 47,
of the Totten and Crossfield purchase. Mr. Watson gives David Henderson
and Mr. McMartin the credit of making this purchase. Mr. Dornburgh con-
tinues :
" The ore at Keene not being valuable, Mr. Mclntyre abandoned that en-
terprise and associating with him Judge McMartin, of Broadalbin, commenced
operations in 1826 at this new field by erecting a forge and building suitable
for separating ore, and also erected a log building to accommodate their men.
This ore was worked for several years when Judge McMartin died, and after
that a new firm was organized, Mr. Mclntyre associating with him David Hen-
derson, of Jersey City, and Archibald Robinson, of Philadelphia.^ The new
firm went to work with great zeal, built fires and hammers, and made iron
after the primative method, using a forge and charcoal for smelting the ore.
They labored with the forge a few years and finding the ore very good and
their forge too slow a process, they concluded to build a furnace. David Hen-
derson being appointed principal manager of the firm in 1838, they built a
quarter furnace. In digging for the foundation they came to a rich ore bed
and the old ruins are yet standing upon the ore bed. This furnace proved a
success. Previous to this, however, in 1837, they built a puddling furnace and
did a large amount of labor in all needful branches for making bar iron. At
and a little before this time they made roads to Schroon river by way of the
branch, their iron being hauled thirty-six to forty miles to Lake Champlain.
Mr. Henderson made large experiments with the iron to convert it into steel,
his experiments proving so successful that they concluded to make prepara-
tions for the manufacture of steel. Mr. Henderson then made a trip to Eng-
land expressly for the purpose of consulting and making arrangements with
some person who understood steel making, and going direct to the great
of the Adirondacks. An exploring party consisting of Mr. Henderson, Messrs. Duncan and Malcolm
Martin, John McD. Mclntyre, and Dyer Thompson, was promptly arranged, who, submitting them-
selves to the guidance of the Indian, plunged into the pathless forest. The first night they made
their bivouac beneath the giant walls of the Indian pass. The next day they reached the site of the
present works, and there they saw the strange spectacle described by the brave ; the actual flow of a
river over an iron dam, created by a ledge of ore, which formed a barrier across the stream. The
reconnaisance revealed to their astonished view various and immense deposits of ore, equal almost to
the demand of the world for ages. A glance disclosed the combination in that secluded spot of all the
ingredients, and every facility for the most extensive manufacture of iron, in all its departments. In
close proximity existed an illimitable supply of ore, boundless forests of hard wood and an abundant
water power. The remote position of the locality formed the chief impediment to the scheme, which
was adopted at once by the explorers. Having accomplished a hasty but satisfactory examination of
the deposit, the party with no delay that might attract attention, the same night and in intense darkness
and a driving storm, retraced their path through the forest, after having carefully concealed the evi-
dences of their work.
iMr. Watson associates with these men, Dyer Thompson, which is probably correct, as he had
access to Mr. Henderson's diary.
646 History of Essex County.
Sheffield Steel and Cutlery works made his wants known to one of the princi-
pal foremen of the Sheffield company, named Pixley. Mr. Henderson informed
him that he desired to manufacture steel in America, having a good iron for
the purpose located in a dense wilderness and surrounded with an abundance
of wood, and that his company wanted to establish a steel and cutlery works
for the manufacture of large and small articles. He also stated to Mr. Pixley
that they wanted to make steel with charcoal, but this being a new theory to
Mr. Pixley he replied that it would be new to him, but he would make experi-
ments and report to him. Mr. Henderson left Sheffield, feeling much elated
over his success in enlisting Mr. Pixley in the scheme, and immediately returned
to America to await the result of Mr. Pixley's experiments. After several
months had expired Mr. Pixley wrote to Mr. Henderson that he had made the
experiments with charcoal and found them successful. After this favorable
report the Adirondack company concluded to make all the needed arrange-
ments for establishing an extensive cutlery works in the Adirondacks. They
built a costly dam across the Hudson river, ten miles below their iron works,
which they named Tahawus, after one of the great mountains. This was to be
called Tahawus Steel and Cutlery works. In the mean time they built a large
boarding-house while working upon the dam. They built a saw-mill and dock
for landing their iron from the upper works. The dam raised the water in
Lake Sandford four feet, covering a level tract of land for a space of five miles
before reaching the lake. By this dam the company were enabled to use boats.
They built boats, floated iron to their lower dock from the upper dock and
wood and coal from the lower dock, to be used in their blast and puddling
furnaces. Mr. Pixley came to America, and he and Mr. Henderson made a
trip to the Adirondack iron works. Mr. Pixley gave plans for all necessary
buildings to carry on the operations successfully, and after the accomplishment
of this much of the work returned to England and three or four months later
he wrote to Mr. Henderson saying that he had devoted his time to making
further experiments with charcoal, and had arrived at the conclusion that he
could not make Steele with charcoal, and therefore abandoned the project. This
caused a stoppage of further operations at Tahawus and notwithstanding a dam,
boarding-house, dock and large store house were built or in process of con-
struction, the whole steel project came to a termination. The Adirondack
Iron Company, however, still continued building and enlarging their old works
and erected various buildings until they had a small village, which is now known
as the ,' Deserted Village.' In the year 1843 they required more water in dry
weather to propel their machinery, and as there were two branches of the
Hudson the company determined to build a dam and divert the east branch
into the west branch. They continued, however, with a short supply of water
until September, 1845, when their engineer, Daniel Taylor, with whom they
had discussed the practicability of the idea, advised them to put the scheme
Town of Newcomb. 647
into execution. A party was therefore formed consisting of Messrs. Hender-
son and Taylor, Anthony Snyder, John Cheney and a ten-year-old son of Mr.
Henderson, to search for a course to lead the water to their works, and as they
expected to camp out over night they carried knapsacks. The distance be-
tween the two streams upon their route was six miles, and about half way of this
distance there was a small pond called the duck hole. When the little party came
in full view of it they discovered a number of ducks in it, whereupon Mr. Hen-
derson remarked to John Cheney: 'You take my pistol and kill some of those
ducks,' and he handed his pistol to Cheney. The balance of the party had
gone to the head of the pond to start a fire preparatory for dinner. John
Cheney had advanced but a few yards upon the ducks when they discovered
his approach and flew out of range, and he then stepped up to Mr. Henderson
and returned the pistol which Mr. Henderson replaced in its sheath. Mr.
Cheney knowing thei;e was an abundance of trout in the pond, concluded not
to follow up the ducks but catch some of the gamey fish. He had just dropped
the hook in the water when he heard the report of a pistol, and looking in that
direction he saw the party had arrived at the head of the pond and that Mr.
Henderson was in a stooping posture and Messrs. Taylor and Snyder, who had
been in the vicinity gathering wood for the dinner fire, at his side. He knew
Mr. Henderson was shot by the movement he made, and ran to him as fast
as possible. Upon arriving at Mr. Henderson's side the fallen man turned
his eyes to him and said: 'John, you must have left the pistol cocked.'
Mr. Cheney could make no reply, not knowing but that might have been the
case. Mr. Henderson looked around and said : ' This is a horrible place for
a man to die,' and then calling his son to him he gently said, 'Archie, be a
good boy and give my love to your mother.' This was all he said, although
his lips kept moving for a few minutes as ifin prayer, and at the end of fifteen
minutes from the time of being shot he expired. The theory of the cause of
the accident is a follows : Mr. Henderson, it is supposed, took off his knapsack
and laid it on a rock and then unbuckled his belt at the same time taking hold
of the muzzle of the pistol, and in laying it down on the rock he must have
struck the rock with the hammer which caused the discharge of the weapon,
and as the muzzle was pointing towards him the ball entered his abdomen just
below the navel, causing the fatal wound. The party set to work to make a
couch for the body, breaking balsam boughs and laying them in a pile, and on
this bed the lifeless remains were placed. This done, Mr. Snyder returned to
the village for help and lights, knowing by the time he returned it would be
dark. Upon his arrival in the village Mr. Snyder was very cautious in stating
his errand, and picked his men judiciously, ordering them to prepare themselves
with lanterns, axes and tools to construct a bier to carry the remains to the
village. He also set men to work cutting out trees and bushes to make a way
for the corpse to be conveyed to the village, there being but a narrow trail
648 History of Essex County.
then, and the trail made by Mr. Snyder is now used by tourists on their way to
Mt. Marcy. The news of the accident soon spread, and it was soon known by
the company's principal manager, Mr. Andrew Porteous, now of Luzerne,
Warren county, N. Y. Mrs. Henderson, Maggie, httle Archie and a nephew
named David Henderson, were in the village at the time, and Mrs. Henderson,
accompanied by her daughter Maggie and Mrs. Porteous, made her way into
the street to ascertain the cause of the commotion. Seeing Michael Laverty,
the woman caught hold of him and insisted upon his telling them the cause of
the unusual proceeding, but the man evaded a direct answer, whereupon they
lay hands upon him and told him they would not let him go until he told
them. He then admitted that one of the men was hurt in the woods, at which
Maggie burst into tears, and exclaimed, ' Pa is shot, pa is shot.' Early on the
following morning the remains arrived at the village and men were detailed to
construct a rude coffin ; these men were Spencer Edgerton, of Moriah, and the
writer, [Mr. Dornburgh]. A dispatch was sent to Russell Root, at Schroon
river, requesting him to meet the party with Mr. Henderson's remains at Wise's
shanty on the cartage road, which was then in the course of construction. The
remains were taken to Tahawus and thence were carried on men's shoulders to
the road, occupying the entire day. At the shanty Mr. Root was found awaiting
their arrival and conducted the party to Lake Champlain. Mr. Henderson's
death occurred on the 3d of September, 1845, and a monument marks the scene
of the tragic incident which is inscribed as follows : ' Erected by filial affection
to the memory of our dear father, David Henderson, who accidentally lost his
life on this spot, by the premature discharge of a pistol, 3d September, 1845.' "
Previous to Mr. Henderson's death and after the failure on the part of Mr.
Pixley to come back from England, Mr. Henderson, according to the state-
ment of Mr. Dornburgh, met Joseph Dixon, who has become widely known
through his extensive operations in working graphite, and informed him of the
disappointment arising from Mr. Pixley's failure to return. Mr. Dixon told
Mr. Henderson that he could make steel, if he had the means. He was told
that he could have all the money, all the men and all necessary materials for
the work. " Mr. Dixon resolved to accept the offer. He commenced in the
outskirts of Jersey City and built a rude cementing furnace and this, being an
experiment, was upon a small scale. He put his iron bars in the furnace leav-
ing a place to extract a bar as the steel process progressed. This was done by
building the furnace as high as the length of the bars required and within the
furnace was a compartment so constructed as to allow the heat to surround it.
This compartment was filled with charcoal and good common-bar iron and be-
low was a fire whose intense heat ignited the charcoal which burned in a per-
pendicular trunk with ore. This converted the bar into blister steel, the char-
coal carbonizing the iron. As this was successful the next step further was to
build a melting furnace for the steel, but Mr. Dixon was somewhat puzzled to
Town of Newcomb. 649
devise the correct plan, but finally he arranged it and commenced to build.
He built his fire pit, got the blast already, broke up the blister-steel and put it
into the crucibles, kindled ■ his fires, melted the steel, made his moulds and
poured in the metal, all of which was successfijl, except pouring the steel in
flat moulds, for when he put the iron under the hammer he found flaws and
long seams in his cast steel. This he thought he could obviate by pouring the
steel in the moulds endwise which would cause the air to ascend in the moulds
as fast as they filled. The process was a revelation to the American people.
Mr. Dixon having succeeded in casting steel into coarse bars set about erect-
ing suitable hammers for working the steel into small bars. Mr. Henderson
about the time went to England and proceeding to Sheffield, he procured a
tilter. How he ever induced him to come to America Mr. Henderson never
told, but it was probably the large some of money given the man that had the
effect. With this Englishman's advice they were able to build a tilting ham-
mer and other necessary apparatus and the steel manufactured with their im-
provements was of a good quality. This was the first cast steel plant in
America. After the Sheffield man was introduced in America it was an easy
matter to get more experienced men and the works were extensively en-
larged."
The death of Mr. Henderson began the downfall of the operations of the
Adirondack Iron Company. He was a man of much ability and his loss could
not well be supplied. After Mr. Porteous ceased as manager, he was suc-
ceeded by Alexander Ralph. A few years before the works were abandoned
the property of the company was assigned to a new organization ; but they
failed to meet their obligations and the old company again assumed control,
but only to abandon the entire enterprise a few years later. For a score of
years the "Deserted Village" as it is termed, has given forth no evidence of
traffic or manufacture and scarcely a sign of occupation. ^
The first post-office established in the town was located near the North
river bridge, about the year 1867, and William E. Thayer was appointed post-
master, who held the office up to the time of his death, about one year later-
II will speak of the bank located in the heartof the Adirondacks. When in full blast the outlay of
the company was so great they concluded to establish a bank, which being done they named it the Mcln-
tyre bank, with bills redeemable at Albany. They built a small banking-house and stocked it with the
bills. The bank created a large circulation of money, as there were in their employment in those years
three or four hundred men. This number of men made a large circulation of the bills in every direc-
tion, from Albany to Canada, from the Adirondacks to all the cities. The bank was kept up but a few
years and called in all of its bills and redeemed them. The Essex county assessors assessed the bank
so high that Jlr. Mclntyre concluded it was cheaper to do their banking at Albany, and avoid the
enormous assessment imposed upon them. — Dor.n'burgh's pamphlet.
The "Deserted Village" is now the head center of the Adirondack Sporting Club, a company of
wealthy men chiefly from New York city, and during certain portions of the summer season presents a
lively appearance; but the greater part of the year its only inhabitants are the family of Mr. Myron
Buttles, the agent of the club, who takes care of the company property and propagates fish to stock
their lakes and ponds.
6so History of Essex County.
The office was subsequently held by Daniel H. Bissell, Rufus Lincoln, James
O. Braley, Phebe A. Tannahill, Washington Chase. At the time of the ap-
pointment of Rufus Lincoln as postmaster, the office was removed to near its
present location, and is now kept in a dry goods and grocery store, owned by
Washington Chase, near the center of the town.
There are two post-offices in Newcomb at the present time, the one bear-
ing the name of the town, and just described, and Tahawus, at the site of the
" Lower Wqrks." At Tahawus David C. Hunter is postmaster. Four good
schools are supported, and there is a Methodist Church organization which was
formed in 1843. Meetings were held, generally once in two weeks, in the
school-house at Newcomb, until a few years ago, when a neat church was
erected near the school-house, at a cost of about $3,500. This church is the
farthest one inland from Lake Champlain, except the one at Long Lake, Ham-
ilton county. The chief business now carried on is lumbering. This has been
quite extensive for over twenty-five years. Thousands of logs are cut and run
down the Hudson river to market every season. There are at present two
circular saw-mills, one church, four schools, two dry goods and grocery stores,
two post-offices, one printing office, two hotels and several good boarding
houses, with good roads and numerous fine lakes, ponds, and rivers. In all it
is now a delightful resort where many people from the cities usually sojourn
for a while during the heated season.
Following are the first officers of the town of Newcomb : — Daniel T. New-
comb, supervisor ; Joseph Chandler, jr., town clerk; William Butler, Elisha
Bissell, Cromwell Catlin, assessors ; Daniel Bissell, collector ; Elisha Bissell,
Cromwell Catlin, overseers of the poor ; William Butler, Cromwell Catlin,
Abner Beldin, commissioners of highways ; James Chandler, Cromwell Cat-
lin, Benjamin Ackerman, commissioners of common schools ; William Butler,
jr., Abner Beldin, Joseph Chandler, inspectors of common schools; Daniel
Bissell, constable ; William Butler, pound-keeper ; Elisha Bissell, Abner Bel-
din, Joseph Chandler, fence viewers.
Following is a list of supervisors of Newcomb from its formation to the
present time with the years of their service: 1828, Daniel T. Newcomb;
1829-30, Joseph Chandler; 1831, Daniel Bissell; 1832, Joseph Chandler;
1833 to 1844 inclusive, Daniel Bissell; 1845 to 1848 inclusive, Daniel C.
Chase; 1849, Daniel Bissell ; 1 8 50-5 i, John Wright ; 1852, Daniel C. Chase;
1853, Thomas G. Shaw; 1854, William Helms; 1855, H. N. Haskall ; 1856,
Daniel C. Chase; 1857, H. N. Haskall; 1858 to i860 inclusive, Daniel C.
Chase ; 1861-62, Abel Gates ; 1863-64, Charles B. Lincoln ; 1865-66, Samuel
T. Catlin; 1867-68, Daniel C. Chase; 1869, ; 1870-71, Daniel H. Bissell;
1872, .Daniel C. Chase ; 1873 to 1879 inclusive, Charles A. Bissell; 1880 to
1882 inclusive, Washington Chase ; 1883-84, William M. Alden ; 1885, Wash-
ington Chase.
Town of St. Armand. 651
The present town officers are : Washington Chase, supervisor ; Zenas Par-
ker, town clerk; Kimball Beldin, overseer of the poor; Edison J. Dimick, col-
lector ; S. T. Catlin, Benjamin Sibley, C. E. Farr, assessors : James A. Hall,
commissioner of highways ; Benjamin Sibley, C. A. Bissell, Washington Chase,
justices of the peace ; Almond O. Farr, game constable ; Frank W. Pervier,
Daniel H. Braley, town auditors ; Franklin Chase, Josiah Houghton, inspec-
tors of election ; Edison J. Dimick, C. E. Farr, F. W, Pervier, constables ;
Kimball Beldin, Elbert Parker, S. T. Catlin, commissioners of excise.
CHAPTER XLH.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ST. ARMAND.
THIS town was set off from Wilmington in the 23d day of April, 1844. It
lies in the northwestern corner of the county, and its surface, though
broken and mountainous, is not distinguished by such bold and rugged peaks
as mark the townships lying south and east of it. The mountainous ridges are
parallel with all the others in this part of the State, extending in a northeasterly
and southwesterly direction. The principal drainage is formed by the Sara-
nac river which flows in a northeasterly direction through the town. Its chief
tributary is Moose creek which flows through Moose pond, a body of water
covering an area of about two hundred acres. The soil is composed largely
of gravel and sand, but is frequently diversified by alternations of loam. As
the mountains are not very high or percipitious, and the valleys neither steep
nor narrow, tracts of choice farming land are quite numerous.
Like many other towns in the county, its principal industry at one time
was lumbering, but most of the timber having been cut by 1880, the inhabitants
have turned their attention to the more stable and enduring business of farm-
ing-
French's Gazetteer states that the name of this town is derived from the old
French name of the Saranac river ; but prominent citizens of Bloomingdale,
notably Jomes H. Pierce, dispute this. Mr. Pierce is authority for the state-
ment that the town was named by Charles S. Toof, one of the leading men
here at the time of the formation of the town, St. Armand, in Canada, being
the place of his former residence. Mr. Toof's widow, who is still living in
Bloomingdale, corroborates this statement. Mr. Toof came to the town about
the year 1842 and lived here until his death in January, 1874. The lumber
business, before mentioned, first attained importance here about 1850, and
continued to be the leading industry of the town until as late as 1880. Since
652 History of Essex County.
that time, the timber having been largely cut, the inhabitants have turned their
energies more to farming as stated. The logs cut were mostly floated down
the river to Plattsburg. The prominent lumbermen were almost exclusively
residents of that place, among whom C. F. Norton, O. A. Tefft and the Baker
Brothers were most conspicuous. This town was not permanently settled until
as late as 1829, when Elias and Milton Goodspeed, and Daniel Crouch moved
into the eastern part. Other early settlers were Thomas and Antrim Peck,
George Lowrie, William Stranahan and Aaron Brimhall. Nathan S. C. Hayes
moved to near what is now the village of Bloomingdale in 1837, ^'^^ still re-
sides in the old homestead, a little north of the village. According to his
recollections there were in 1837 only seven or eight families living within a
radius of five miles from his home. Daniel Crouch and the Goodspeed's before
named, were still living on their original settlement ; the others he does not
remember. He recalls the additional names of Moses Emmons and Clarke Gil-
mour. Mr. Hayes states that when he came here the industries of the town
were either not begun or existed in a rude and incipient state.
The first school-house was built of logs about 1840, Mr. Hayes aiding in its
construction. It stood on the site of the house now occupied by Philemia Flan-
ders. The first teacher was Harriet Hayes. The first religious society was
started in the shape of a Methodist Church. Rev. Samuel Smith, a circuit
preacher, was the first pastor. In 1837 a forge was running near Blooming-
dale where the grist-mill now stands. It was built some years previously by
Uriah Sumner and in 1837 was under the management of Jeremiah Hayes, father
of Nathan. Clark Gilmour succeeded Hayes in the management of the forge
and conducted the business for years. Near the forge in 1837 a saw-mill was
run by Nathan Hayes; his father had it before him. Sumner built this mill
about the time that he erected the forge. In the eastern part of the present
town nothing was done but farming, while in the vicinity of the village of Bloom-
ingdale almost the only farming was done by Nathan Hayes, who raised con-
siderable quantities of oats, wheat, rye and beans. It has been stated that
Bloomingdale and its immediate vicinity (which really comprises the town of
St. Armand), furnished a greater number of soldiers in the war of the Rebellion
than any other locality of the same number of inhabitants in the county. Many
volunteers entered the 77th Regiment at its organization. Among these was
Martin Lennon, who joined as a private, was promoted to a captaincy and
was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va. Others joined the 96th Regi-
ment, among whom was Henry J. Pierce, who entered as a private and was
promoted to the majorship. In the re-organization of the nth Regiment,
Company C, commanded by Captain James H. Pierce, an ante-bellum and
present resident of Bloomingdale, was mostly recruited from this town, the rest
of the company being formed from recruits of Wilmington and Jay. Captain
Pierce was taken prisoner at the battle of Drury's Bluff, Va., on the i6th of
Town of St. Armand. 653
May, 1864, was taken first to Libby Prison, thence to Macon, thence to Savan-
nah, thence to Charleston, whence he was paroled for exchange on the i6th
day of December, 1864, just seven months from the date of his capture.
The town of St. Armand contains territory which forms the site of an ex-
periment the success of which will be a compliment at once to the philanthropy
and business capacity of the projectors. It is in reality a Saranac lake enter-
prise, and is called the Sanitarium. Its design is to furnish separate resorts for
those in moderate circumstances who need careful treatment and the benefit of
the incomparably salubrious climate for pulmonary diseases. The hotel with
its expenses and vicissitudes and the inconvenient improvised camp, are too
often poor places for invalids of this description. From an excellent article in
the New York Tribune we take the following description of the ground, build-
ings and design of this enterprise : "The site of the sanitarium is on a fine pla-
teau on the shoulder of a hill which overhangs the valley of the Saranac river
a mile and a half below the village ; the grounds, comprising eight acres, were
purchased at a cost of $400 and presented by the Saranac guides — an act of
liberality on the part of a worthy set of men which has been highly appreciated.
The buildings of the sanitarium are worthy of the site. They are marvels of
cheapness and simplicity, but they are comfortable, convenient and attractive.
The main structure is a quaint, irregular red cottage, with unexpected corners,
delightfully original, and ample windows, a deep piazza and a range of offices
and store-rooms at the rear. A few rods from the main building are two charm-
ing little cottages harmonizing with it in general style, but differing both from
it and from each other in architectural details. The main building is planned
to accommodate eight patients, and each of the cottages two. All will
use the common dining-room and sitting-room. No one will be received
except on the recommendation of the consulting physician. Dr. A. L.
Loomis, of New York, whose services, as well as those of the attending
physician, Dr. Trudeau, are offered gratuitously. The institution starts
free of debt, and with a surplus toward the expense of the first year.
The funds have been raised principally among tjie visitors of the Adiron-
dacks ; but little or no solicitation has been necessary, and several of the
contributions have been very handsome. A fancy fair, given at one of the
camps near Paul Smith's last summer, produced for the sanitarium in a sin-
gle afternoon no less than $1,000. The total amount subscribed, up to this
time, is about $10,000, and the buildings and outfit have cost about $7,000.
As the money received from the patients is not expected to cover the run-
ning expenses. Dr. Trudeau must trust to the chartiy of the public for the
final success of his interesting experiment, as well as for the enlargement of its
scope. It is the intention to make the cottages the characteristic feature of the
plan, so that the establishment will really consist of a group of pretty little de-
tached houses disposed about the main building."
654 History of Essex County.
Following is a list of supervisors of this town from its formation to the pres-
ent time, with their respective years of service: Elias Goodspeed, 1844-45;
David Skiff, 1846 to 1849 inclusive; Milote Baker, 1850; Samuel Smith, 1851
-52 ; William Galusha, 1853-54; James H. Pierce, 1855 to 1861 inclusive;
Ensign Miller, 1862-63;]. A.Titus, 1864 to 1872 inclusive; N. A. Arnold,
1873-74 ; Sewell F. Bunker, 1875-76; Eugene R. Woodruff, 1877; Robert
Smith, 1878-79; James H. Pierce, 1880 to 1882 inclusive; R. S. Smith, 1883 ;
James H. Pierce, 1884; Charles C. Town, 1885.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Bloomingdale was first given its present name in about 1852, when Nathan
Hayes, James H. Pierce and Charles S. Toof were appointed a committee to
name the village. Mr. Pierce came here in May of that year. He relates that
up to the time he came, only one man lived on the site of what is now the vil-
lage proper, viz., Elbridge Titus, who died here about 1881. Mr. Pierce
brought about twenty men with him and deliberately proceeded to the erection
of a village. They built the structure now used as the post-office and called
the " Titus Store," two dwelHng houses, the grist-mill still running, and in the
eastern part of the village a blacksmith shop and a " Yankee" gang saw- mill.
One of the old dweUing houses was de.stroyed by fire in 1882, being then oc-
cupied by Charles Stickney ; the other one burned in 1876, then occupied by
Henry Hall. In 1853 John Campbell built a hotel across from where the St.
Armand House now stands, on the site of the residence of Charles D. Hicock.
Campbell kept this hotel until 1881, when it was torn down to make room for
the dwelling house. The St. Armand House was begun in March, 1872, and
completed in 1873, by James Skiff and James H. Pierce. Skiff commenced it
and was bought out by Pierce who pushed the building to completion. The
first proprietor was Daniel S. Huff, followed by Edwin R. Derby, and he by
successive followers until 1877 when Mr. Pierce himself assumed the personal
supervision of the hotel and has kept it ever since. C. J. Stickney has kept
hotel here since October, 1884. He was preceded by L. J. Dudley, who has
been there since 1872. M. L. Baldwin has just opened his new hotel in the
eastern part of the village. The building is especially designed to accommo-
date summer tourists.
The other business of the village consists of the harness shop of C. A.
Stickney, who bought out A. R. Lewis in 1883, the hardware store of Richard
H. Mclntyre, the general stores of James Ling, Isaac Chesley, and James H.
Pierce. James A. Skiff years ago kept a general store in the building now
occupied by James Ling. The store in the post-office building was kept be-
fore the war by James H. Pierce. After Pierce, J. A. Titus was proprietor till
about 1 88 1, when J. H. Titus succeeded him and remained until the spring of
1884. N. J. Arnold succeeded Titus but assigned in the fall of 1884 to James
Town of St. Armand. 655
A. Stockwell and the goods were taken to Franklin's Falls in Clinton county
to be sold. Since July, 1884, Isaac Chesley has conducted a general store
here, he being successor to Chesley & Stickney (C. J.). Mr. Chesley first started
alone here in 1877; Chesley & Stickney were burned out in October, 1883,
and a new building was at once erected. The Gillespie Brothers keep a drug
store here ; they also have two stores in Ausable Forks. There are no attor-
neys in the town, James H. Pierce attending to the legal necessities of the in-
habitants to their satisfaction. There are two physicians, Drs. I. Rice and S.
S. Wallian, the former of whom has been here since 1872 or 1873, and the
latter for two or three j^ears. The present postmaster here is James H. Pierce
who was duly qualified for the position in December, 1884. He was preceded for
number of years by L. G. Dudley. The post-ofiice was established here about
1852; when the village was named Byron Leavitt was the first postmaster.
The Union school of Bloomingdale was formed in the fall of 1881, and the
building at once put up. The first principal was H. L. Buxton. The present
board of education consists of Dr. I. Rice, Dr. S. S. WaUian, and Levi Noble.
The attendance ever since the establishment of the union system has been
about 120. Considerable dissatisfaction with the new system prevails because
it seems to be needlessly expensive and not so thorough a system as the old
one.
There are three churches in the village, the Methodist, Catholic, and Epis-
copal. The former has been organized for many years, but held meetings in
the old school-house until Christmas, 1874, when the present edifice was com-
pleted and first occupied. The present pastor is the Rev. S. N. Cornell.
Catholic services were first held here about 1875 when the first building was
erected. It was torn down and the present one commenced in 1882, and fin-
ished in 1884. The pastor is Rev. Michael Charbonneau, of Black Brook. The
Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1882, and the present edifice first
occupied in that year. Rev. Daniel M. Bates, of Saranac Lake, is the rector.
Masonic. — The Whiteface Mountain Lodge was organized in September,
1884. The first officers were, R. H. Mclntyre, W. M. ; W. S. Hough, S. W. ;
C. J. Stickney, J. W. ; Dr. S. S. Wallian, secretary ; C. H. Stickney, treasurer;
Isaac Rice, S. D. ; E. L. Patterson, J. D. ; the membership is about thirty.
The charter of this lodge is dated June 3d, 1885, previous to which date it
worked under dispensation. (See chapter XXVI.)
6s6 History of Essex County.
CHAPTER XLHI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HUDSON.
THIS town was formed from Moriah on the I2th of April, 1848. It lies in
the interior of the county, a little south of the center and is bounded on the
north by Keene and Elizabethtown ; on the east by Crown Point and Moriah ;
on the south by Schroon, and on the west by Newcomb and Minerva. It is
extremely mountainous and rugged in its surface, and only about one-eighth
is adapted to cultivation ; there are, however, a few excellent farms in the town ;
the soil is a light, sandy loam. The Schroon mountains traverse the east
border of the town, and the Boquet mountains occupy the central and western
portions. The principal peaks are Dix Peak and Nipple Top in the extreme
northern part, two of the more noted mountains of this region and both over
4,000 feet in height. Other peaks are Moose, Camel's Hump, Barr, McComb's
and Mount Allen. There are numerous small lakes and ponds in the town,
the principal of which are Elk lake (Mud pond), Boreas pond. Clear pond,
Deadwater pond, Johnson's pond, and Wolf pond ; a small portion of the
Upper Ausable pond enters the northern part.
The two branches of the Schroon river find their rise in this town, the west
branch flowing south from Elk lake partly across the central portion and then
turning eastward joins the east branch in the northeastern part ; the east branch
rises in the eastern and northeastern parts where it is fed by numberless clear
streams and ponds and flows southwesterly until it joins the west branch, which
'Course the river then continues across the town line.
The Moriah iron district extends into the eastern part of the town, and sev-
eral attempts have been made to successfully develop the industry within the
town, but with quite unsatisfactory results.
The town was not settled at so early date as many others of the county owing
to its interior position and rugged character. The first settlements of a per-
manent character were made about 1800, and among the pioneers was Benja-
min Pond, the first permanent settler ; he was followed within the next few
years by Randall Farr, who kept the first tavern, William Pond, Samuel Nor-
ton, William Everett, Benjamin Cummings, Russell Walker, William Mallory,
Timothy Chellis, Hezekiah Keep, and Titus Walker. The first death was that
of a Mrs. HoUoway. Janet Post taught the first school.
Most of these settlers located in the eastern and southeastern parts and
along the branches of the Schroon river, where they found an unbroken
wilderness to welcome them. Benjamin Pond, the first permanent settler in
the town, came in about the year 1800 from Poultney, Vt, and his brother
William came in not far from the same year. They located a little west of
Town of North Hudson. 657
what is now known as the Deadwater district, on the old State road, where
Charles Walker now lives. Benjamin Pond was a man of note in the com-
munity ; was judge, member of the State Legislature and member of Con-
gress at the time the War of 1812 was declared. He died October 6th, 18 14.
Samuel Norton came into the town soon after the Ponds and settled near
them. William Everest settled on the place now occupied by Dennis Arthur
a little north of the Burhans tannery site, where the road to Moriah begins.
Benjamin Cummings located about a mile easterly of the Burhans tannery.
Russell Walker came in early, but afterwards went to Bridport, Vt., and-
died there. William Mallory was one of the early immigrants, but went west.
Timothy Chellis settled two miles from the Burhans tannery site, on the road
to Moriah Center. His daughter became the wife of Amos Drake, of Schroon
Lake. Titus Walker was one of the early pioneers and located north of the
tannery site, on the place now owned by Jacob Deyo. He. was grandfather
of Charles Walker, now living in the town. All of the foregoing came in
before 1810. Elihu Phelps came to the town about 1811-12 and settled north
of the hamlet of North Hudson, where Charles Wood now lives. He had a
large family of children. On his farm was one of the first grist-mills in this
vicinity and a saw-mill. Previous to the erection of this mill, the inhabitants
hereabouts were compelled to carry their grain to Chestertown, in Warren
county. The mills subsequently came into possession of Nelson Little, who
rebuilt the saw-mill. Nahum Wyman afterwards owned them, and they were
carried away by a flood about twenty-five years ago. Russell Root came into
the town with his father, Selah Root, in about 1812, and located on the farm
which he in after years made famous as the site of his popular hostelry. This
farm and the settlement which has grown up about the hotel is now known as
Schroon River. Here is located a post-office, store, shops, etc. Mr. Root
built a log-house, which served its time as a resort for the public. Its location
on the old State road, over which passed the stages from Albany through to
Canada, and in the midst of a region famous for its attractions to sportsmen,
gave it a large patronage and wide celebrity. In the year 1858 Mr. Root
erected a commodious framed structure, which has since been enlarged and
improved to accommodate forty guests. He died in 1873, and the house and
property, embracing store, blacksmith-shop, farm-house, etc., was left in pos-
session of his son, A. F. Root, and the estate was purchased by the present
proprietor, Lyman Hall, who continues the popularity of the house. John
Wyman located about a mile south of Root's, where Dr. Robinson lives, and
raised a large family. A mile still farther south a Mr. Johnson located at an
early day and kept a tavern. He died there, and Robert D. Lindsay, who
married his daughter, put up a new house and kept it successfully for a num-
ber of years, until it was burned. A little farther southward, John Potter, son
of the first John, who came into the town early and kept a tavern near the
42
6s 8 History of Essex County.
tannery site, also kept a tavern. It finally passed into the possession of his
son, E. B. Potter, who put up a good house, kept it for some years, and died
there. Next south of the Potter place, Nahuni Wyman settled, lived and
died. All these early residents lived along the State road. William Miller
was an early settler in the town, and Daniel Weatherhead became well known
in early years by his popular tavern about three miles above the Burhans tan-
nery site on the State road. This was widely known, and is yet, as the
Weatherhead Place. Saw-mills were located there.
The numerous taverns mentioned are accounted for largely by the fact
that this was a great stage route, but more especially from the vast amount of
travel of one kind and another arising from the lumber business. An old
resident says it was not a strange occurrence to see forty teams, with wagons
heavily loaded with the finest white pine lumber, stop at Weatherhead's inn
to dinner. And there were the numerous men engaged in other branches of
the vast business — choppers, river-drivers, sawyers, etc., who looked more or
less to the country inns for their accommodation. Whisky was then sold
everywhere and almost universally drank, which formed a source of consider-
able income to the taverns. From about the year 1830 down to comparatively
recent times the town has presented a scene of great activity.
The principal industry in the past has been lumbering, while the tanning
of leather was at one time a prominent occupation. Most of the acreage of
the town was formerly covered by valuable pine and hemlock timber. There
was extensive water-power on the many small streams and saw- mills sprang
into existence in every direction, while hundreds of thousands of logs were
cut and driven down the streams to larger markets. This industry depended,
of course, upon the supply of timber, and at this time almost all the pine has
disappeared, and the labors of the few lumbermen are devoted to cutting the
spruce and hemlock which is still standing in the back districts. The saw-
mills have disappeared with the timber, there being now but two or three in
the town. The large supply of bark, and the ease with which it could be
secured, led to the establishment of tanneries in the town. E. B. Potter estab-
lished a tannery at the hamlet now known as North Hudson, and in the year
1859 it was purchased by Edgar W. Burhans, who enlarged and successfully
conducted it till 1879, when the business was abandoned. Mr. Burhans also
kept a store in connection with the tannery. Another tannery was built by
Sawyer & Mead about three miles west of the hamlet of North Hudson, on
the branch of the Schroqn, which was purchased in 1880 and is now operated
by Emerson & Mead. But with the rapid diminution of the bark supply,
with the advance in cost of transporting hides to the interior and leather to
market, this industry is declining. In early days, and particularly during
the period when the lumber interest was active and stage travel was much
heavier than now, the country taverns, to which we have alluded, were numer-
Town of North Hudson. 659
ous on all public highways and received generous support. The first one of
these inns was kept by Randall Farr. It was about four miles north of the
site of Root's, on the State road. A tavern was kept near the tannery site.
Robert D. Lindsay, already mentioned, kept his tavern two miles below the
tannery, and a little farther down was the public house kept by E. B. Potter.
Indeed, these country inns were thickly scattered throughout this region in
early days. Nearly all of them have disappeared ; those that are now remain-
ing, or have been established in recent years, depending largely upon the
annual influx of sportsmen for support. There is excellent sporting in and
around the town, and thousands pass through it, or halt within its borders,
every summer to enjoy the fishing and hunting and recuperate in the bracing
atmosphere of the woods. Besides Lyman Hall's house, Henry P. Jones
keeps a public house at Elk lake, and Alonzo Palmer has a house on the
Branch four miles from Schroon river.
The attempts at working iron in this town comprise the forge built on the
Branch about a mile from the hamlet of North Hudson by Jacob Parmerter,
and afterwards owned by Phelps, Walker and Parmerter, and it passed into pos-
session of Mr. Parmerter, who operated it four or five years. It was transferred
to John Roth in 1861 and later to Powell Smith. He kept it two years and
sold out to Clark & True. The forge was burned in 1880. It had three fires
and ore was brought from Paradox lake and the Moriah beds. During the late
war, while the price of iron was very high, this forge, as well as others in this
vicinity, were operated at a profit, but the great decline in prices, combined with
the cost of hauling ore seven or eight miles, has made it impossible to manu-
facture iron in the town with success. There was another forge near the ham-
let of North Hudson, and one at Deadwater, built by Tabor C. Imus. Ore
for these forges was brought in from the Moriah district. James S. Whallon
became the owner of these forges, but ail these industries were abandoned
many years ago for the reasons above stated.
The church history of North Hudson is very meagre. Meetings have, of
course, been held at irregular intervals from an early date, and previous to
about 1870 in the school-houses. Finally, with the help of the towns adjoin-
ing on the east, a small church was built by the Methodists near the hamlet of
North Hudson. A school is kept in a part of the- building and services are
held, but not with regularity.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The town of North Hudson can boast of very little that can properly be
classed under the title of municipal history. There is no center of settlement
in the town entitled to the name of village, and there are at the present time
but two post-offices. One of these is at Lyman Hall's (Root's) place and was
established here forty years ago or more. Russell Root was postmaster and
66o History of Essex County.
occupied the position until his death. The property here being left in control
of his son, A. F. Root, he took the post-office and kept it until the sale of the
estate to Mr. Hall. The name of the post-office is Schroon River. The set-
tlement at this point comprises a few houses, blacksmith shop, the hotel, a small
grist-mill. All of these buildings have come into the possession of Lyman
Hall.
The other post-office of the town is called North Hudson and is situated
on the State road about four miles north of Schroon River, at the site of the
Burhans tannery. The post-office and tannery were established nearly con-
temporaneously. Frank Burhans was postmaster here for about twelve years
and was succeeded by B. W. Ingalls for four years, when in March, 1883, the
present incumbent, William Sturtevant, was given the office. There is no
mercantile or other business at this point at the present time.
There was formerly a post-office at the Deadwater locality called " Dead-
water Iron Works," but this was abandoned with the decline of the miners'
industries at that point.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town of North Hudson from
the date of its formation to the present time: 1848, Harry Farr ; 1849, Ta-
bor C. Imus ; 1850 to 1852 inclusive, Jacob Parmerter ; 1853, Harry Farr;
1854, Cephas Olcott; 1855, Jacob Parmerter; 1856, Benajah Pond ; 1857 ^"d
1858, Cephas Olcott; 1859 and i860, Benajah Pond ; 1861, Roswell Fenton ;
1862 to 1864 inclusive, Orrin Phelps; 1865, Jacob Parmerter; 1866' to 1874
inclusive, Edgar W. Burhans ; 1875 and 1876, Adelbert F. Root; 1877 to
1 88 1 inclusive, Frank W. Burhans; 1882 to 1885 inclusive, Charles Talbot, jr.
CHAPTER XLIV.
history of the town of north ELBA.
NORTH ELBA was separated from Keene on the 13th of December, 1849.
It is situated on the western border of the county, north of the center, and
is bounded as follows : on the north by St. Armand and a portion of Wilming-
ton ; on the east by Wilmington and Keene ; on the south by Keene and
Newcomb, and on the west by a small portion of Newcomb and by Franklin
county. The altitude of the town is greater than any other cultivated lands
in the State. Some of the waters of the Hudson, Raquette and Saranac riv-
ers, and the west branch of the Ausable and Chub rivers have their source in
this town. The Ausable and Chub rivers drain the eastern and central parts
of the town ; the tributaries of the Saranac and Raquette rivers form the drain-
age of the western part, and tne southern part isdrainedprincipally by branch-
Town of North Elba. 66i
es of the Hudson. The surface through the interior and west part of the
town is moderately rolling, but in the south, east and northeast the coun-
try assumes the elevated and broken altitude of mountains. Bordering the
rivers in many places may be found an alluvial formation of rich black soil.
Receding from the streams, varieties of soil are discernible, in some parts a
black loam prevailing for miles in extent, while in other portions of territory
(to the northwest) are large tracts of poor sandy soil from which the place de-
rived its euphonious name of the " Plains of Abraham," or " Abraham's
Plains." The timber varies with the diversity of the soil. On the plain pre-
vails the tamarac ; on the river bottoms, elm, ash, maple, pine, spruce and fir,
are most abundant, and on the higher table-land are found the birch, beech,
maple, iron wood, spruce and fir. In some locaHties are considerable tracts of
valuable pine, while in others may be found large quantities of a superior qual-
ity of spruce. Unlike the other towns of Essex county. North Elba's future
promises to be greater than her past, by virtue of her almost inexhaustible
resources in'lumber.
The southern part of the town is occupied by a portion of the Adirondack
range. The noted Adirondack or Indian Pass, situated on the boundary line
between this town and Newcomb is a deep gorge between Mts. Mclntyre and
Wallface ; a portion of the latter forming the western border of the pass, is a
vertical precipice a mile in length and towering to an altitude of 800 to 1,200
feet from the base. The bottom of the gorge is 2,800 feet above tide, and is
strewn with gigantic fragments of rocks probably hurled from ,the beetling
heights above by some mighty convulsion of nature. Watson thus vividly
portrays this wonderful scene : "So exact and wonderful is the stupendous
masonry of this bulwark that it seems, could human nerve allow the effort, a
stone dropped from the summit, might reach the base without striking an im-
pediment. The pencil cannot portray, nor language describe, the full grand-
eur and sublimity of this spectacle. The deep seclusion, the wild solitude of
the place, awe and im^jress. Many miles from human habitation, nature here
reigns in her primitive silence and repose. The eagles form their eyries amid
these inaccessible cliffs, and seem like some humble bird as they hover over
the deep abyss." Bennet's, Connery and Round ponds are in the immediate
vicinity of Lake Placid, in the north. This beautiful sheet of water is one of
the most important heads of the Ausable river. It is one of the most beauti-
ful spots in the Adirondacks, and is already a favorite resort. Although dis-
tant but a little way from Mirror lake, of almost equal notoriety, it is effectu-
ally separated from the latter by a ridge of land passing between the two.
Mr. S. R. Stoddard, in his estimable little book entitled TAe Adirondacks
Illustrated, gives the following description of this lake : " Its admirers — and
it has many — call it the ' gem of the Adirondacks,' and it possesses many fea-
tures peculiar to itself that may possibly entitle it to that distinction. It is in
662 History of Essex County.
shape oblong, something over four miles in length and about two broad, meas-
uring through or between the islands, of which there are three, called respect-
ively Hawk, Moose and Buck. Hawk island is small. Moose and Buck are
large, beautiful islands in a line from the first toward the southwest, the three
dividing the sheet into what are locally known as the east and west lakes, mak-
ing it resemble a large river sweeping around them rather than a lake with
islands."
The fertile plains of North Elba are thus seen to be rich in the variety and
magnificence of their scenery, and in their exhaustless resources. They are
encircled by a lofty "amphitheatre of mountains" which are filled with ores
and are mantled by woods of the heaviest and choicest timber. Mr. Watson,
(page 419, History of Essex County) refers to "a singular and apparently well
authenticated account of the accidental discovery of a vein of silver ore among
the Adirondacks and the loss of its trace," pointed out to him by an intelligent
resident of North Elba. It was not worked, and has been lost, but there is
promise of great wealth to the man with genius and energy enough to reduce
the inaccessibility of the iron veins in the town, and to cleanse the ore from its
native impurities. Works were established on Chub river as early as 1809 by
Archibald Mclntyre and Mr. Hudson, of Albany. They consisted of a forge
of four to six fires, designated the Elba Iron Works. At first ores were
taken from veins in the immediate vicinity, but afterwards from Arnold bed
in Clinton county. Notwithstanding the laborious and expensive methods
necessarily employed in running the forge, the business was for a number of
years eminently prosperous. But the works lacked the reserve power neces-
sary to the stability of enterprises of this nature, and in 1815 they were aban-
doned. " A decayed dam and fragments of broken wheels and shafts, and
similar vestiges, are the only memorials of their former existence."
The early history of the town has been so well and completely written by
Mr. T. S. Nash, a former resident thereof, in an article published in one of the
county papers, in August, 1881, that we cannot do better than to take the lib-
erty of transcribing the historical portion of the article herein. Following is
the transcript : —
The history of this town commenced in the early part of this century. The
town of North Elba embraces the south part of township No. 11, and all of
township No. 12 of the old military tract. The town is fourteen miles long
north and south, and eleven miles east and west, and contains one hundred
and fifty-four square miles, or nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-six acres.
Township No. 11. and a strip three and one-half miles wide on the north side
of township No. 12, was surveyed by Stephen Thoon in 1806. The balance of
township No. 12 was surveyed by John Richards in 18 13. The description of
the lands in those localities are still designated by the number and the names
of the surveyors of the different surveys.
Town of North Elba. 663
The land was owned by the State of New York. The settlement com-
menced soon after Thorn's survey by a few pioneer hunters. Soon after the
settlement iron ore was discovered, and it was thought of a sufficient quantity
to pay for working. Archibald Mclntyre, of Albany, investigated the matter,
and in company with Mr. Hudson and another partner, bought a water-power
on Chub river, and put up a forge which was known as the Elba Iron Works.
When they commenced working the ore they found it contained sulphur or
carbon in quantities so large as to render it worthless. The forge was run,
however, and ore was drawn from other points for a time, but it became a
losing business, and the enterprise was abandoned. During the time the
forge was in operation considerable of a settlement was made, some settlers
buying their land, while many others simply went on the land, intending to
buy at their convenience. When the settlement seemed to be in a prosperous
condition, Peter Smith (father of the late Gerrit Smith), of Peterboro, N. Y.,
heard of this tract of land, made an examination of it, and returned to Albany
and made a purchase of nearly the entire town not previously sold. The set-
tlers sought to purchase their homes, but Mr. Smith told them the time had
not come to sell this land, but he would not drive them from their homes, and
when he was ready to sell, would give them the first chance of buying. But
the settlers were unwilling to continue to improve their land, which might re-
sult in benefiting a stranger. Most of the people, therefore, left, and but few
remained there for many years. During the dark days of their history schools
were given ■ up, religious meetings abandoned, and some of the few were
brought up in ignorance, while others were sent abroad to school. At the
death of Peter Smith the land fell into the hands of Gerrit Smith, and in 1840
he offered it for sale.
This year the second epoch of immigration began. At the commencement
of the year only six families were in what is now North Elba, east of the set-
tlement on the Saranac river. Those settlers were O. J. Bartlett, Alexas Ten-
der, Iddo Osgood, R. Thompson, S. Avery, and Moses Sampson. In that
year Thomas Brewster, R. G. Scott, R. Nash, and Alonzo Washbond, and
perhaps some others were added to the sparsely settled territory.
The town continued to be settled as fast as could be expected under all
circumstances till 1845, when a new episode occurred in its history. Gerrit
Smith, who was the owner of nearly all the vacant land in town (which he in-
herited from his father, Peter Smith) in one of his acts of benevolence granted it
to colored people in different parts of the country, in tracts of forty acres each.
This act, although in good faith by Mr. Smith, did not prove to fill his expec-
tations.
In 1849 John Brown (afterwards of the Ossawatamie and Harper Ferry
notoriety) came into town for the purpose of assisting the colored immigrants,
and forming a colony of that race. Several families moved into town, some of
664 History of Essex County.
which were assisted by Mr. Brown, but the climate and occupation of farm-
ing were both new to them, and, I believe, only two of the many who received
this gratuitous gift made a home on the land thus granted. This town then
formed a part of Keene, but in 1849 the citizens petitioned the board of su-
pervisors of Essex county to be set off and have a town organization. The
board of supervisors took the necessary steps to accomplish the desired action,
and on the first Tuesday in March, 1850, the necessary officers were elected,
and North Elba was a legally organized town. John Thompson was the first
supervisor.
Schools and Religious Meetings. — In 1849 a three months school was
taught, and schools were annually kept after this date. During that same year
a clergyman by the name of Clinton, and an older clergyman called Father
Comstock, from Lewis, went to the new settlement ; held a series of meetings
and formed a Congregational Church. In 1847 ^ Methodist clergyman, by
the name of Bourbon, came from Keene to look after the lost sheep of his flock,
and a Methodist Society was formed. These societies continued to prosper
and harmony prevailed among them till 1859 when a new chapter was formed
in the religious services of the town. A clergyman by the name of Wardner,
from Wilmington, a Wesleyan Methodist and a very zealous worker for the
colored man, held a series of meetings, delivered lectures, etc., on the slavery
question and organized a church of that denomination taking members from
both the other churches which left all three societies weak. But religious
meetings of some denomination were always held there after 1840.
A few years ago a new enterprise was commenced in town. The cool
bracing air of summer, the lakes and mountains, the beauty of the scenery, the
speckled trout, and the nimble deer in this section, attracted the attention of
the tourist and sportsman, and several hotels have been built to accommodate
that class of customers in summer. These houses are well filled and the busi-
ness is annually increasing. There is perhaps no place in the whole wilder-
ness region of Northern New York so well adapted to please all classes of cus-
tomers as this town. The tourist, the sportsmen, the student, the geologist,
can all find ample food there for their mental as well as their physical appetite.
North Elba has had a checkered history, but what has been dark and gloomy
in the past is now growing bright and beautiful.
The purpose of this work requires some enlargement upon some of the
hints contained in the foregoing article. John Brown's career is so intimately
connected with the town that it requires a brief notice. He was born on the
9th day of May, 1800, at Torrington, Conn., and was a lineal descendant from
a pilgrim of the Mayflower. In his young manhood he engaged in a num-
ber of enterprises without any considerable success, and often with dishearten-
ing reverses. In 1848 he prosecuted a wool speculation in Europe, and met
with disastrous failure. During his visit to the Old World he indulged his
Town of North Elba. 665
native liking for fine stock by inspecting the choice breeds of the countries he
visited, and gained a knowledge which subsequently rendered him a most
intelligent stock-raiser in Essex county. At an early period of his life he
became imbued with the most vehement and vigorous anti-slavery sentiments,
which increased in intensity as he advanced in years, and resulted finally in
the tragedy of Harper's Ferry. In 1849 he called upon Gerrit Smith, and
proposed to take up a farm in North Elba, and by affording the negro col-
onists instruction and employment, aid Smith in his beneficent project. Smith
accepted the proposal, and immediately conveyed a lot to Brown, who in the
same or the following year removed his family and flocks and other worldly
possessions from his former home in Massachusetts to the new home. In 1850
the report of the Essex County Agricultural Society refers to a " number of
very choice and beautiful Devons from the herds of Mr. John Brown, residing
in one of our most remote and secluded towns."
When the Kansas difficulties arose in 1856 he hastened to join his four
sons already there in the participation of those stirring scenes. He soon
gained a decided ascendency in the deliberations and acts of the Free State
party, and by his desperate resistance to an attack of the border ruffians at
Ossawattamie, during which his son Frederick was killed, he gained the sobri-
quet of " Ossawattamie Brown." He manifested remarkable skill as an
organizer of forces, and conducted the battles of the party with astonishing
intrepidity. During a partial subsidence of the agitation in Kansas, he and
his sons visited a number of the Northern and Eastern States with the real
object of inciting the zeal and co-operation of the inhabitants against the
whole slavery system, but with the apparent object of visiting their home in
North Elba. In the following year he revisited Kansas and at once began the
commission of a series of daring and lawless acts which astonished the whole
country. He manumitted, vi et arma, twelve Missouri slaves, led them
through Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Michigan to the shores of
Canada. The governor of Missouri offered a reward of three thousand dol-
lars for his apprehension, and his proclamation was supplemented by a similar
publication by the president of the United States offering a reward of two
hundred and fifty dollars. By virtue of the influence of his own name, he
convoked an assembly of his sympathizers at Chatham, Canada. Its presi-
dent was a colored preacher, and the design of the association then organized
was the forcible liberation of all the slaves in the country, and the establish-
ment within the United States of a provisional government. In April, 1859,
he was engaged in the enlistment of associates in Essex county. Harper's
Ferry, being in easy communication with Canada and the entire North, was
selected as the starting point in the proposed invasion. Brown, under the
assumed name of Smith, hired a large unoccupied farm containing three
dwelling-houses, and situated near Harper's Ferry, and used it as a rendez-
666 History of Essex County.
vous for the self-constituted emancipators. By the circulation of a report
that the visitors were about establishing a large wool- growing business, and
the presence among them of several women, they eluded suspicion. The rest
of the story, the intended attack of the 24th of October, the singular antici-
pation of the attack by a week, the indubitable design of Brown and his
co-adjusters to seize the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, capture a number of promi-
nent citizens, to be held as hostages and ransomed bj' a supplj' of provisions
or the emancipation of slaves, and escape to the mountain fastnesses where
they could maintain themselves until the arrival of their expected support
from the North, and the universal insurrection of the negroes, his overwhelm-
ing defeat by the federal marines and the forces of militia of Maryland and
Virginia after a most prolonged and determined opposition. Brown's arres
and execution (December 2d, 1859), are all matters of common informa-
tion now.
Just before his departure for Harper's Ferry, John Brown gave orders for
the transportation to Westport from Massachusetts of a stone which had stood,
it is said, for more than seventy- five years at the grave of his grandfather ; and
in the event of his death, directions were left to have it erected at his home in
North Elba, with the inscriptions hereinafter set forth. The stone at this time
bore this inscription: " In memory of Captain John Brown, who died at New
York, Sept. ye 3, 1776, in the 42 year of his age." Brown's request was com-
plied with, and the time-worn, weather-stained stone now stands on the old
homestead, in North Elba, under the shadow of a great rock, and bearing be-
neath the foregoing inscription, the following: —
"John Brown, born May 9th, 1800, was executed at Charleston, Va., De-
cember 2d, 1859." " Oliver Brown, born March 9th, 1839, was killed at Har-
per's Ferry, October 17th, 1859." On the reverse side are the following:
" In memory of Frederick Brown, son of John Brown and Dianth Brown,
born December 21st, 1830, murdered at Ossawatamie, Kansas, August 30th,
1856, for his adherence to th cause of freedom." "Watson Brown, born Oc-
tober 7th, 1835, was wounded at Harper's Ferry and died October 19th,
1859."
The many visitors at the grave have mutilated the stone by breaking off
corners for relics, etc., until a few years ago, when it was locked securely under
a wooden case, and exhibited to strangers only on special request. A few
years ago the farm was advertised to be sold under a mortgage. Miss Kate
Field, so well known as a writer and lecturess, learning of the fate which over-
hung the old homestead, hastened to Boston with her accustomed energy, and
began at once the solicitation of subscriptions to save the farm from the obliv-
ion which threatened it. Not meeting with the desired success there, she
went to New York, where she succeeded in forming a society, with Sinclair
Toucey as secretary and treasurer. The farm was purchased and Mr. Law-
Town of North Elba. 667
rence, of Jay, engaged to manage it. To-day the place is held sacred and
visited annually by hundreds of tourists. Kate Field is a native of St. Louis
and was educated in Europe and in the East.
Mrs, John Brown, one of her husband's most faithful and zealous compan-
ions in his life work, was born in Whitehall, N. Y., April 15th, 1816, She
first met Brown in North Elba, and became his wife in 1832. After various
removals following upon his death, she died in 1874, at the age of sixty-eight
3'ears.
Hotels. — One of the first, if not the first of hotel proprietors in this town,
was the late Joseph V. Nash. He was born September 7th, 1825, and in 1837
came to North Elba (then Keene). He worked for his father until he was
twenty years of age, purchased of him the remainder of his minority, and
worked three years for his brother, Timothy Nash, at eleven dollars a month.
In October, 185 i, he married Harriet C. Brewster, of North Elba, after having
purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land of Gerrit Smith.
This land is beautifully located on the shore of Mirror lake, about eighty rods
from Lake Placid. Immediately after his marriage he erected a hotel on this
tract, which was familiarly known as " Nash's " as long as its proprietor lived.
Mr. Nash died May 20th, 1884, of heart disease, and was buried with Masonic
honors.
The houses at present open for guests at and about Lake Placid are the
Allen House, Henry Allen, proprietor; Lake Placid House, built by B. T.
Brewster, now owned by Martin Brewster; Stevens House, built by Joseph
V Nash in 1877, and afterwards sold to J. A. & G. A. Stevens, the present
proprietors ; Grand View House, H. C. Lyon, proprietor ; Mirror Lake House.
A. J. Daniels, proprietor ; Castle Rustico, W. F. Leggett ; West Side, Oliver
Abel ; and Adirondack Lodge, Henry Van Hoevenberghs. In other parts of
the town are the Mountain View House, M. S. Ames, proprietor, situated
about four miles southwest from Edmond's pond ; Ray Brook House (on Ray
brook), in the western part of the town, Duncan Cameron, proprietor. Frank
B. Stickney officiates as postmaster at Lake Placid.
M. C. Lyon has kept a hotel on the stage route from Westport to the Sara-
nacs, about two miles and a half south of Lake Placid, since 1847. He has oc-
cupied the present building since 1864, and has been postmaster since 1866.
His daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Lusk, conducts a store in the same building.
Milling, etc. — There is considerable lumbering done in the town, many
logs being shipped down the Saranac river to Plattsburg. Eugene Thew runs
a shingle mill on the site of the old Freedmen's Home which Gerrit Smith at-
tempted to found. Charles Taylor runs a saw- mill and grist-mill in the east
part of the town on the west branch of the Ausable river. G. T. Challis owns
and runs a saw-mill and clapboard and lath factory on Chub river. E. N.
Ames runs a saw-mill on Ray Brook in the western part of the town. He is a
brother of M. S. Ames before named.
668 History of Essex County.
In 1879 the Adirondack or North Elba Baptist Church was organized and
aided in the construction of the Union edifice on Abraham's Plain. For fif-
teen years the Baptists had been the most numerous denomination in the
town. Encouraged by Revs. Levi Smith and W. C. McAllester, of West
Plattsburg, these early members determined to organize. Their original mem-
bership was fourteen. The first deacons were Orrin Torrance and Reuben
Lawrence, and the first clerk, Clarence Lawrence. The present pastor is
Rev. A. C. Lyon, and his predecessor was Rev. D. B. Pope. Rev. Oscar
Boutwell the Methodist pastor of Saranac Lake preaches occasionally in the Un-
ion Church. With the aid of summer guests the Baptists have erected a hand-
some chapel at Lake Placid.
Following is a list of the supervisors of this town from its formation to the
present time : John Thompson, 1850; Timothy Nash, 1851—52 ; Daniel Ames,
1853 to 1855 inclusive; Daniel Osgood, 1856; Milo Merrill, 1857; Daniel
Ames, 1858-59; Milote Baker, i860 to 1862 inclusive; Daniel Ames, 1863;
T. S. Nash, 1864-65 ; Daniel Ames, 1866-67; Alexis Hinckley, 1868 ; Andrew
J. Baker, 1869-70; Joseph V. Nash, 1871-72 ; Moses S. Ames, 1873-74; Jud-
son C. Ware, 1875-76 ; Myron T. Brewster, 1877 ; M. S. Ames, 1878-79 ; By-
ron R. Brewster, 1880-81 ; Benjamin T. Brewster, .1882; Henry Allen, 1883—
84; George S. Stevens, 1885.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
GENERAL R.ANSOM NOBLE.
THE subject of this notice was born in New Milford, Litchfield county, Conn., on the i6th
day of August, 1778. The pioneer of this family in America was Thomas Noble, who
came from the vicinity of Yorkshire, England. He came to this country probably about the
year 1650, as it is recorded that he became a citizen of the city of Boston in 1653. His son,
John Noble (great-great-grandfather of Ransom Noble), was the first white settler in New
Milford, about 1707, where he became one of the leading men of the community. He had a
son, David, also a prominent man of his native place. His son Asel was the father of Elisha
Noble, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. Elisha married Sally Crane, daugh-
ter of the Hon. Elijah Crane, of Litchfield. The Noble family, down to and embracing Elisha,
were men of more than ordinary strength of character, acquired wealth, and were honored by
their fellow-citizens with various offices and positions of trust. In this connection it becomes
necessary to mention Paul Welch, also one of the original proprietors and early settlers at
New Milford, whose descendants became ultimately connected with the Noble family. He
had a son bearing the same name, who became the father of Peter Welch. The elder Paul
appears to have been a man of means, and prominent in the town. Elisha Noble and Paul
Welch, 2d, were contemporary and to a considerable extent companions. In the course of
time the fathers of both met with misfortune, by which their possessions were greatly reduced,
leaving the young men to depend upon their own exertions to make their way in the world.
/^^^O'^nA/^-y^yn l/YovM^
I.-nQ'^iy .'-/£' Mills Scns.Mw ^jcr'k.
General Ransom Noble. 669
It was this misfortune that caused the removal of General Noble to Essex, and of Peter
Welch (with his father) to Vergennes, Vt. Previous to this, however, both of the young men
learned a trade, Mr. Noble that of shoemaking and Mr. Welch that of a carpenter. The
latter took for his wife Abigail Crane, sister of Sally Crane, wife of Mr. Noble, thus connect-
ing the two families. In a Bible, which was one of the personal treasures of General Noble,
and now in possession of his grandson, H. H. Noble, we find the following record in his own
handwriting : " I came to reside in the town of Essex, county of Essex, State of New York,
January 3d, 1800." An addition to this entry, probably made at a later date, intimates that
he had made a tour of exploration in the previous year (1799). He located on the same
premises, in what has since become Essex Village, where he passed all the remainder of his
life. He brought with him his shoemaker's bench and tools, and very little else, and applied
himself to whatever offered in that line, at the same time making arrangements to start a tan-
nery. Not long after his arrival, he also opened a small store in connection with his shop, and
from that early period to the time of his death the mercantile business always formed one
feature of his extended affairs. His first dwelling stood near the site of the stone mansion
of Belden Noble ; this in course of time gave place to a white frame-house. As General
Noble's means and opportunities increased, he developed his broad capacity to grasp and suc-
cessfully conduct large enterprises by the purchase of an immense tract of the most valuable
pine lands in what is now the town of Lewis, a step that laid the foundation of a great
fortune. He erected saw-mills on the various streams of that part of the county, until at one
time he had half a score or more running. He built a wharf and established vast lumber
yards at Essex, to accommodate shipments of both lumber and leather, for his tanning busi-
ness had been made to flourish in common with his other enterprises and became an extensive
industry. He also engaged in the manufacture of charcoal iron at Willsborough Falls, where
he operated a forge, bringing ore from Moriah in boats. This brief review gives a glance at
the magnitude of the business interests built up and successfully operated by General Noble ;
and into their conduct two of his sons, Belden and Harmon, were installed as soon as they
had acquired a sound and practical business education in the schools of Essex, Lansingburg
and Plattsburg. The outside management of the various interests was largely entrusted, as
the elder member of the family began to feel the increasing weight of years, to Belden Noble,
while Harmon assumed direction in the store and office, managing with consummate skill the
inside and financial features of the combined business. All these industries were continued
in prosperity down to the death of their founder, which occurred at the house of his son Har-
mon, in Essex, June 5th, 1863.
It will have been seen that General Noble was not in any sense a public man ; he had
neither the disposition nor the time to indulge in the worry of political life ; he sought no
office nor station other than the one to which he was so clearly entitled — that of a leading
business man of the community. The military title by which he was commonly known was
acquired through his holding the office of brigadier-general of militia. He was major and
commanded a battalion at the time of the battle of Plattsburg, and was afterwards promoted.
He took conspicuous part in the War of 1812, and was stationed for a period at the Canadian
frontier. His grandson is still in possession of letters addressed to subordinates, transmitting
orders from the general in command and announcing the cessation of hostilities.
General Noble was married on the loth of October, 1800, to Anna McNeil, daughter of
the Hon. Charles McNeil, of Charlotte, Vt.; he lived across the lake from Essex at what was
known as McNeil's Ferry. She was born July 28th, 1780, and died in Essex, March 29th,
1 83 1, leaving four children, as hereafter mentioned.
General Noble's name must ever remain conspicuous in the history of Essex count)', and
particularly the town of Essex, where his life-work was carried on. Any enterprise, any pub-
lic project that seemed likely to prom.ote the general welfare, found in him a generous and
efficient helper. His name appears for a liberal sum upon the original subscription paper for
6/0 History of Essex County.
building the old Congregational church. He also generously aided in the erection of the
present Presbyterian church edifice, with which he afterwards united. In short, he was full
of vigorous enterprise, loved his native place and would make unselfish sacrifice for its good ;
in the same spirit his sons were nurtured. While not a man of finished education or excep-
tional brilliance, his fund of general knowledge was comprehensive and useful, and was under-
laid by the soundest common sense and the most unerring judgment of men and affairs.
Behind all this was a character noted wherever his nime was known for sterling integrity that
causes his memory to be revered and loved.
The children of General Ransom Noble were as '."oUows : —
Charles Noble, the eldest, was born December 25th, 1801 ; married Sarah Jane Ross,
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gilliland) Ross, on the 15th of October, 1832. He
engaged in business with his brother in Elizabethtown, N. Y., where his wife died suddenly,
November i8th, 1834, after which event he removed to New York city and became one of the
firm of Smith & Noble, in the iron commission business. Later in hfe he went to New Mil-
ford, where he died, October 20th, 1867. He was married the second time to Elizabeth
Burritt, of New Haven, Conn., by whom he had four children.
Harmon Noble was the next son, of whom a sketch is given in these pages.
Henry Ransom Noble, born December i7th> 1807; was married February 6th, 1837, to
Cornelia Gould, daughter of John Gould. He was in business with his brother Charles at
Elizabethtown until 1834, after which year he continued alone in the lumber and iron interest,
until his death, September 13th, 1863. His widow still survives him. They have had three
children ; Charles Henry, the oldest, continues his father's business ; Mary Elizabeth married
Richard Lockhart Hand, son of Judge A. C. Hand, of Elizabethtown.
John Gould Noble, unmarried, is practicing his profession of medicine in New York city.
He is a graduate of Union College, of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York,
and studied in the university at Braunschweig, Germany.
Belden Noble, the third son of General Ransom Noble, was born January ist, 1810; mar-
ried Adeline Ferriss, daughter of Charles Ferriss, of Peru, c;iinton county, Isl. Y. He was
associated in his father's business, in connection with his brother Harmon, until about the year
1870. He now resides in Washington, D. C. He has had five children, but two of whom are
now living. His son, William Belden, has recently graduated from Harvard, and his daugh-
ter, Mary Maud, lives at home.
HARMON NOBLE.
A MONG the sons of General Ransom Noble, a sketch of whose life precedes this page, men-
f\ tion has been made of Harmon Noble. He was born in the village of Essex, on the 17th
of December, 1807. It was one of the first purposes of his father that his sons should enjoy
the advantages of a good thorough English and business education, and Harmon Noble, after
attending the common schools of his native place, was sent to the excellent institution at Lans-
ingburg, near Troy, to finish his studies. As soon as his education was completed, he was at
once associated with his father in the vast operations in which he was engaged, embracing
large lumbering interests, the manufacture of iron, tanning, mercantile business, etc., which
we have before described. He was given special charge of the store and office in Essex viL
lage and the books of the firm, while to his brother Belden was confided the oversight of the
out-door operations. Into no better hands than those of Harmon Noble could this feature of
the business have been placed ; he was born with a natural aptitude for directing and inaug-
urating affairs of magnitude, qualities probably inherited to some extent from his father.
Under his skillful guidance the interests of the firm prospered beyond, perhaps, the expecta-
tions of even the proprietors themselves. Very much of this prosperity was due to Harmon
Noble. While the indoor and office work was not the most congenial to his tastes, when he
had once taken it in hand, his persistent and untiring energies were devoted to it. If his
Harmon Noble.
Harmon Noble. 671
duties became two confining, as they often did, to suit tiis love of activity and out-door life it
became habitual for him to turn his strong hand to any manual labor that happened to offer,
and while thus engaged, the same energy and vigor was given to it that characterized his
more regular vocation. In other words, he was what might be designated as a thorough man in
whatever he turned his attention to. As to his character and reputation, it can only be said
that it was honorable in every way ; his integrity was unflinching, and neither would he
patiently tolerate the least semblance of dishonesty in others. He exacted his due, but never
failed to award the same to all others with whom he came in contact ; and while habits of
constant industry and general economy marked his early life, no meritorious object needing
assistance was turned away without his aid.
Mr. Noble's death was sudden and unexpected. Like many who are blest with frames
apparently invulnerable, he was at times negligent of his health. At rest temporarily from any
arduous duty, it was his habit to sit on the stone steps of his place of business, where he was
a familiar figure to all townsmen of Essex ; it is thought that perhaps the origin of the attack
that caused his death, was in this habit.
He never sought office of any kind, in that matter following in the footsteps of his father ;
but like him, he was prominent in the State militia and was commissioned major by Gover-
nor De Witt Clinton, in 1824, and given duty on the staff of General H. H. Ross, receiving
appointment at different times as the general was promoted.
Mr. Noble was married on the i6th day of October, 1855, to Laura Ann Welch, daughter
of Peter Welch and Martha Frazer Welch, to which family connection we have alreadv
alluded in the preceding biography of General Ransom Noble. She was born in Vergennes,
Vt., where her grandfather, Paul Welch, settled in 1808. They had six children, of whom
four are living, as follows :
Sarah Elizabeth, born August 29th, 1856, married Charles Burritt Waite, son of the late
Charles C. Waite, of New York, former proprietor of the old Brevoort House. They had one
daughter, Julia Noble Waite, born August 14th, 1877.
Anna Laura Noble, born January 26th, 1858, married Henry Howard Ross, of whom a
sketch appears in these pages. He died December 14th, 1882, and his widow lives in Essex.
Jeanie Noble, born August 29th, 1859, married Holland Stratford Whiting, June 20th,
1883. He is of the wall paper firm of Whiting & Campbell, of New York. They have one
daughter, Jean Noble Whiting, born March i8th, 1884.
Henry Harmon Noble, born May 9th, i86i ; unmarried and resides with his mother on the
family homstead, in Essex village. He has charge of the extensive "South Farm," which
formerly belonged to his father. He has enjoyed the advantages of extensive European travel
and is now the only representative of the family name in the town.
Martha Frazer and Mary McNeil Noble (twins), born May 5th, 1863; died August, 1863.
This sketch of Mr. Noble may be appropriately closed with the following, which was writ-
ten at the time of his death by one who knew him well :
" During his long intercourse with his-fellow citizens as merchant, no man ever had cause
to doubt his honor and probity. But his worth did not arise merely from his capacity as a
man of business. His kindly disposition, his support of the church, his tenderness and kindness
as a son, parent, husband, relative and friend endeared him to all his relatives, and won the
esteem of his acquaintance. His loss will be deeply felt in the extensive concerns in which he
was engaged and by the community generally, and the bereavement falls heavily upon his rel-
atives and doubly so on the beloved wife and young children."
Mr. Noble came home from his place of business about nine o'clock, on the evening of
May 24th, 1864, read his paper and retired about ten o'clock. A little later bespoke to his
wife, uttering the last words that passed his lips. His death was caused by the breaking of
an abscess in his lungs.
6/2 History of Essex County.
hon. clayton h. de lano.
THE subject of this sketch is a son of Benjamin P. De Lano, and grandson of Nathan, one
of the earliest pioneers of the town. His mother was Amanda Harris, daughter of one of
the early settlers. Clayton H. De Lano was born at Ticonderoga on the 8th day of February,
1836. His father, still living, venerable in years, is a cousin of the Hon. Columbus De Lano,
a name conspicuous in the political history of the country, and his' mother a cousin of the Hon.
Townsend Harris, formerly United States Minister at Japan. Mr. De Lano was favored with
facilities for obtaining a good English education, and later chose the profession of the law, for
the study of which he entered the office of the late Judge A. C. Hand, of Elizabethtown. This
was followed by a course in the Albany Law School, and his admission to the bar in the year
i860. Severe application to study had now so impaired his health that he was forced to re-
linquish the practice of his profession and he engaged in farming in his native town.
Mr. De Lano's politics in the earlier portion of his life and previous to the breaking out of
the war, was Democratic, in which school he followed in the footsteps of his father. While he
entertained this faith he in the years 1 860-6 r contributed a series of political articles to a leading
New York journal which attracted considerable attention and were marked by vigorous thought,
clearness of style and dignity of tone.
With the early progress of the war his political sentiments ran counter to the policy of the
Democratic organization and he joined the Republican party, entering with zeal into the sup-
port of its principles and its measures for the support of the war. He made a tour of Essex
county in the memorable campaign of 1864, speaking in nearly every town, which was repeated
in 1866 and again in 1868. His political addresses 'met with warm favor and endorsement;
were of important service to the party throughout Northern New York, and gained him the
reputation of being the best political speaker in the county. In recognition of his ability and
services he was elected to the Assembly of 1869 against a formidable competitor, his majority
being unusual, and leading his State ticket by a number of votes. He was re-elected in 1870,
during which session he was brought prominently before the public by his success in getting
the bill which had been introduced for the repeal of the bridge charter of the old Whitehall
and Plattsburg Railroad Company, taken from the hands of the railroad committee and given
to the committee on commerce and navigation, where it secured a hearing more favorable to
the interests of his constituents. So efficient was his legislative work that he was urged by
his friends to enter the field as candidate for the office of State Senator ; but the demands
of his private business were becoming so urgent that he refused to allow the use of his name,
and has since given his dme and energies to the large business and manufacturing operations
in which he has been engaged.
Mr. De Lano is a forcible, impressive, and eloquent speaker and is the author of a number
of addresses on agriculture and temperance which he has delivered at different places in past
years ; he was also designated as poet upon the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of
the settlement of Ticonderoga in July, 1864, and wrote and read an excellent production. He
was prominent in the formation and active in support of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Asso-
ciation of Ticonderoga, of which he was president and secretary for many years. The Ticon-
deroga Academy, founded in 1858, received his most zealous support during its existence, and
he was an efficient trustee for ten years. His labors for the cause of temperance in his native
town have also been of the most efficient character.
Mr. De Lano's character and public work has not been unappreciated at home. His towns-
men made him their supervisor for eight years and have otherwise expressed their favor towards
him.
In the year 1871 Mr. De Lano began the extensive manufacturing operations which have
since engaged his attention. He first formed the firm of De Lano & Ives, for the manufacture and
sale of lumber, sash, doors, blinds, etc. Five years later, in 1876, this firm was displaced by the
Lake Champlain Manufacturing Company, which was organized by him for the same purposes
Dr. John Smith. 673
as the preceding firm. Later he became convinced of the future magnitude of the wood
pulp and paper demand, and organized the Ticonderoga Pulp Company, of which he was made
treasurer ; this company was succeeded by the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company, or-
ganized by him in 1882, and_ now having a capital stock of $180,000, owning the large mills
at Ticonderoga village. Mr. De Lano is president of the company and has placed it on a
successful foundation.
Personally Mr. De Lano is an active, nervous man, prompt in speech and movement, perse-
vering with unflagging zeal in whatever he undertakes ; staunch and ardent in his friendships
and liberal in support of any good work.
He was married in 1867, to Anna M. Thompson, daughter of George Thompson, of Ticon-
deroga. Her grandfather was a pioneer of the old town of Crown Point, and the first town
meetings were held at his house. Mr. and Mrs. De Lano have three children.
DR. JOHN SMITH. '
AMONG the pioneers who came into Vermont previous to the date of birth of the subject
of this sketch, was John Smith. He was the father of John Smith, a man who was quite
intimately associated with the early history of Ticonderoga. He was born in Shoreham, Vt.,
on the loth of December, 1794. In addition to his studies in the common schools, he pursued
his education in the Newton Academy, at Shoreham. Deciding to devote his life to the prac-
tice of medicine, he entered the medical school at Middlebury, Vt., and attended lectures at
Castleton, Vt., and when twenty-five years old (1819) was united in marriage (in Shoreham,
Vt.) with Hannah Cronin, who was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., on the 20th of January, 1795.
Her parents removed to Ticonderoga, N. Y., when she was eight years old. About the year
1822 (possibly a year later) Dr. Smith came across the lake to Ticonderoga and located at
what is now known as Street Road. Dr. Levi Wilcox was the pioneer physician of the town
and at that time the only one of the profession in this near vicinity. Dr. Smith at once formed
a copartnership with him for the practice of medicine, a business connection which continued
three years ; but one year before it expired Dr. Smith removed to the Upper Falls, then the
real business center of the town. Here he entered into successful practice and also estab-
lished a small drug store, which was a great convenience to the inhabitants.
About the year 1838 Dr. Smith saw, with others, that the business center of the town in
future years was to be at the Lower Falls, and he accordingly moved thither, establishing his
drug business in a small wooden building which is still standing. Here his practice constantly
increased, and his thoroughly excellent qualities as a man and a citizen won for him the almost
universal respect and esteem of his townsmen. He was honored by them with election to
various offices; he was supervisor in 1837-38, and made county superintendent of the poor,
holding the office for three years. In these and other pubhc positions he performed the duties
to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents and for the general good of the community.
He was a prominent member of the Old Ti. Lodge, No. 503, F. & A. M., and an efficient
actor in that Order. The lodge passed a series of eulogistic resolutions upon the occasion of
his death.
Dr. Smith is remembered as in all respects "the good physician." No stress of weather,
nor even his own physical unfitness, could deter him from answering the call of any one need-
ing his professional aid. Rich and poor alike had in this respect ample occasion to bless him
living, and to regret his death. While careful, prudent and economical, so far as his personal
affairs were concerned, it was his constant habit to place upon his books in the neatest, most
precise manner, charges for his arduous services which he never expected nor intended to col-
lect. It was said of him that he kept his books handsomely, entering upon them charges of
thousands of dollars, " and that was the last of it." But in spite of this fact, so extensive
was his business, and so prudent was his life and the life of his estimable wife, who by her
industry and good judgment contributed to and took prudent care of their joint earnings, as
43
674 History of Essex County.
the doctor many times cheerfully said, that he amassed a considerable fortune and became
quite an extensive owner of real estate in the town.
Personally, Dr. Smith was possessed of thorough common sense, good judgment, fairly
broad educational and professional qualifications, all supported by an inborn character of
inflexible integrity and intended justice to all of his fellowmen. He died on the 23d day of
April, 1869, leaving his widow, who still resides in Ticonderoga at the venerable age of ninety
years, and three living children. His son, Charles Darwin Smith, died April 12th, 1869— less
than two weeks previous to his father's death. The surviving children of Dr. Smith are
Eliza S., now the wife of W. A. G. Arthur, of Ticonderoga ; they have four children living.
Sarah Jane, wife of George C. Weed, of Ticonderoga ; they have four children living. Laura
D., wife of Alanson Pond, of Ticonderoga; also have one child living. Charles Darwin
Smith married Melissa Clark, sister of George D. Clark, and they have one daughter living at
Ticonderoga, N. Y. (Maria Smith) ; he married a second time, from which union a son was
born. In religious belief Doctor Smith lived and died in the Universalist faith.
THOMAS COWAN.
THE subject of this sketch was born at Broad Island, near Dobbstown, in the County
Antrim, Ireland, on the ist day of June, 1814. His boyhood until he was sixteen years
old, was passed in his native country. He then came to America, locating first at Tinmouth,
Rutland county, Vt., where he worked at various occupations for three years. At the end of
that period he returned to Ireland for a visit of a few weeks, when he again embarked for the
United States and located at Ticonderoga. Here he remained one year, at the end of which
he went into the employ of Penfield & Taft, in Crown Point. He remained in the employ of
this firm until 1843. In that year, July i8th, he was married to Sarah Jane Stone, daughter
of Ephraim Stone, who then occupied the farm on which Mr. Cowan settled soon after his
marriage. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 20th of February,
1885, a period of more than forty years.
The record of Mr. Cowan's life belongs to that of the quiet, unobtrusive, yet most success-
ful farmer. Prudent and careful, possessing a thorough knowledge of the better methods of
agriculture, industrious and persevering, he was, of course, successful and not only made for
himself and family a home that any one might envy, but also added largely to his landed pos-
sessions by the purchase of two farms adjoining his homestead, with other valuable real
estate. His excellent qualities as a citizen won the esteem and confidence of his townsmen ;
he was elected to and acceptably filled the office of assessor for several years and otherwise
received evidence of the approval of his fellow citizens. His widow survives him on the
homestead farm. Their children are Ann Jane, who was born January 28th, 1847 ; Eunice
Amelia, born December 12th, 1848; Lucy Caroline, born April loth, 1851; Henry Thomas, bom
April 17th, 1858; Willie Andrew, born June 9th, i860, died August 29th, i860; Lillie Irene,
born August 3d, 1865.
ENDS BRADFORD.
THE father of Enos Bradford was one of the early settlers in the town of Crown Point,
whither he brought his son from the \own of Springfield, Vt. Enos was born in that
town on the 29th of January, 1807. When he was five years old (1812) his father came to
Crown Point and began life in what was then a wilderness, with few settlers yet permanently
located. The proverbial log cabin was built, a clearing made and the first steps taken towards
making a home. In the midst of the toils and disadvantages of pioneer fife, Mr. Bradford
grew to manhood, inured to hardship and fully capable of facing the world amid whatever
circumstances might surround him. While he was yet a boy, he was sent away from home
on somejenand which detained him overnight. On this occasion he availed himself of the
Thomas Cowan.
William Hooper. 675
hospitality of one of his townsmen, a prominent farmer. This farm, Mr. Bradford afterwards
purchased and there lived for forty-two years.
In early life he was strongly inclined to religious belief and faith and became united with
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Crown Point. In this society he became very prominent
and contributed liberally to its support. He held the offices of trustee and steward for many
years and gained the high esteem of his brethren in the church.
Although he began life with but small means, his prudent habits, excellent judgment,
thorough knowledge of farming and whatever business he undertook, brought him most grati-
fying success and enabled him to accumulate a fortune of fifty thousand dollars before his
death. Of quiet disposition, kind of heart and generous to all good causes, he won the esteem
and respect of all who knew him.
Mr. Bradford was twice married ; first, on the 31st of December, 1829, to Mary Smith, of
Crown Point, and, second, on the 17th of November, 1840, to Hannah Russell, widow of
HoUis Russell. By his first wife he had four children, three of whom are deceased ; and Mary
Jane (Bradford) Wooster, living in Illinois. By his second wife he had two children ; of these
Trinity Bradford is Hving on the homestead.
Mr. Bradford died on the loth day of August, 1883, aged seventy-six years.
WILLIAM HOOPER.
WILLIAM HOOPER was born in Cornwall county, England, on the 14th day of April,
1832. His father was John Hooper, a mechanic and mining engineer of noted ability,
whose fife was devoted to the erection and supervision of mine and ore dressing machinery,
and ore concentrating processes. Intimately associated with this class of work, William Hooper
grew up and inherited much of his father's native talent in this direction. His educational
advantages were not extensive, but what he learned in school his active mind retained, while
the mental discipline and varied experience gained in his association with his father's mechan-
ical operations were, perhaps, of more value to him in later years than what could have been
obtained from books.
Early in the month of April, 1854, he left his home and embarked for America, landing in
New York after a tempestuous voyage of almost eight weeks, with less than ten pounds in
money in his possession. From New York he went to Middletown, Conn., where he engaged
with John Patterson, a contracter of some note, to aid in the erection of the Baldwin plane fac-
tory of Middlefield. Completing this work he was next employed by the Chatham Cobalt and
Nickel Mining Company to supervise the erection of their mining, pumping and hoisting machin-
ery. This was congenial employment for him and the works were successfully started.
In 1854 he was married to Jane Ann Hoskins, daughter of James Hoskins, and in June,
1856, taking his wife and infant son he returned to England. He remained there less than a.
year, most of which period his child was ill and occupied much of his attention and care ; he
was, however, called on to assist in the erection of a large engine at the Wheal-Tonkin tin
works in Cornwall county ; he also removed to a new locality and put in operation an overshot
water-wheel and stamp mill which he had erected when he was not yet eighteen years old.
Returning to New York Mr. Hooper repaired to Hartford, Conn., in 1857 where he was en-
gaged a short time in putting hoisting machinery in a large wholesale store ; during this time
he was sought by the Chatham company, before mentioned, to return and take his old position
with them, which he did, remaining two years in charge of their machinery, when the works
were closed owing to alack of knowledge of the smelting of cobalt in this country. He was
next employed for a short time with John Patterson, when he was solicited by a representative
of the Passaic Copper Mining Company, near Newark, N. J., to erect their works. This he
did, putting the establishment in successful operation. During his work on this enterprise his
services were persistently sought for a similar purpose by the Hunterdon Copper Mining Com-
pany, located in the same State. Finally an arrangement was made by which his services were
^T^ History of Essex County.
loaned to the latter company while the former still retained chief control of his time. Both of
these works were successfully started and ran until the breaking out of the war (1861) which
temporarily suspended such operations ; but of such value was Mr. Hooper to his employers
that they arranged to pay him a liberal salary, although he was unemployed, until the works
should again be started. Two months of this remunerated idleness was all he could endure,
when he went to Warren, N. H., to aid his brother-in-law in carrying on the works of the sil-
ver and lead mine owned by Mr. Baldwiri, of Boston, which had already been built from his
plans. He was thus engaged two years, when he joined with his brother-in-law in the erec-
tion of a concentrating mill for a copper mining company in Bath, N. H. In the mean time he
received a call to go and erect and take charge of crushing and concentrating works for the
French Creek Copper Mining Company, on the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania.
While undecided as to this offer he was called on by Horace Trumbull, of the Passaic Zinc
Works, N. J., and asked to come to Ticonderoga in the interest of the American Graphite
Company. It was arranged that on the next day he should meet the president (R. H. Man-
ning) and directors of the company, but before the meeting he was solicited to accept charge of
the pumps and engines of a prominent Pennsylvania coal mining company. Being assured,
however, by Mr. Manning, that in case the Ticonderoga enterprise failed he should still have a
satisfactory post with the zinc company, Mr. Hooper came on to Ticonderoga to erect the
graphite works. Previous to this time the valuable deposits here had been worked into stove
polish and his company had put in small experimental machinery at the Upper Falls for the
production of graphite suitable for crucible manufacture. Nothing else of a practicable nature
had been accomplished in the United States towards reducing graphite deposits to marketable
products of value. But this did not deter Mr. Hooper ; he felt that he knew what he could
accomplish in handling this ore. The large factory was erected soon after his arrival, which
was in May, 1863, and the reduction and separation of the ore begun. UnquaUfied success
followed until now there are turned out the finest grade of graphite for electrotyping ; and
other grades for lubricating purposes, for hatters' use, for rubber manufacturers, for glazing
powder and shot, for paint-stock, besides the original uses for crucibles and stove polish. The
factory employs since its erection, in connection with the mines, an average of sixty to seventy
men.
If this record proves anything it is that Mr. Hooper is, in his special field of labor, a man of
remarkable capacity and possesses all the rare qualifications that enable him to not only under-
stand the character of all the various ores and how to successfully manipulate them so as to
produce the best results, but the executive ability to supervise and control large interests. Be-
sides this, and scarcely secondary thereto, he is an inventor in connection with ore dressing
and mining operations, whose works are known throughout the world. He is the inventor of
the celebrated revolving central discharge jig, for concentrating and dressing ores ; the only
machine on that principle.
In 1879 he perfected and patented his slimer and concentrator, which he was forced by his
other duties to neglect until recently ; still it is already in operation in Colorado (where a S 1,000
challenge has been issued to equal its operations), in Mexico, and Utah. This machine is
made in Ticonderoga and is, therefore, appropriately described herewith as intimately associ-
ated with the industries of the place.
Mr. Hooper was connected with the iron manufacture in Ticonderoga, and several years
ago became owner of the foundry, machine shop, and hardware store here. In this branch of
his business he is associated with D. C. Bascomb.
Mr. Hooper is a man of retiring nature ; brief of speech but thoroughly capable of making
himself understood on any subject; wins friends at once and remains staunch to those who earn
his regard. If not brilliant in the outward acquirements, he possesses a good fund of sound
practical common sense and judgment that seldom fails him in practical matters. He has
done much for his adopted town, particularly as an employer and is counted among the solid
men of his village.
Edward J. Owen. 677
Mr. Hooper has four children : Ellen, who is now a resident of Ticonderoga ; George H.
married Lena Woodward, has charge of the company's mills at Hague ; Frank C. and Minnie
Louisa are living at home.
The Hooper Concentrator.
This machine combines \hi. panning and sluicing processes, long acknowledged to be the
only true practical principal for concentrating all ores. It is an arrangement of sluices upon
endless malleable iron chains, run with a forward movement, and a reciprocating motion ob-
tained by gearing, pulleys, eccentrics and connecting rods.
The feed-table at the upper side of the machine supplies the ore from stamps or crushers,
with the accompanying water, delivering it continuously into the heads of the sluices. The
forward movement carries the sluices under perforated water-pipes, where they receive wash-
ing water. The reciprocating motion of the sluices, with their inclination across the machine,
causes a panning motion of the water (not found in any other machine) which deposits the
mineral and washes the " gangue " down and off into a trough at the lower side. The con-
centrates-are carried on the sluices over and under the machine and deposited in a tank ; the
sluices being thus reversed are thoroughly washed and made to continue their movement on
and up, to again be supplied at the feed-table. The inclination of the sluices, the amount of
feed and water, the forward and reciprocating movements are each and all under en-
tire and instant control; thus insuring the successful treatment of all ores, from .ordinary
milling down to the finest slimes. The simplicity of this machine, combining as it does the
most natural application of the forces of gravity andwater, will commend itself to every ob-
server who is familiar with concentrating processes. Low grades of ores which are worthless
when treated by any other means may be made valuable by the use of this concentrator.
EDWARD J. OWEN.
EDWARD J. OWEN (son of the Rev. John J. Owen, vice-president of the New York Free
College) was born in the city of New York on the 28th day of November, 1835. He was
graduated at the University of the City of New York in June, 1855, receiving the first honors
of his class. He at once entered upon the study of law in the city of New York, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in the year 1858. He was subsequently admitted to practice in the United
States District and Circuit Courts and subsequently, on motion, in the United States Supreme
Court at Washington. In 1861 he was offered by Judge Samuel R. Betts the position of clerk
of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and also United
States Commissioner, but declined the same. He continued in the practice of his profession
until the year 1869. In 1871 he moved to Moriah, N. Y., where he took charge of the school
which in 1873 became known, by the endowment of George Sherman, as Sherman Academy,
and has continued as principal to the present time (1885).
In connection with School Commissioner L. B. Newell and others he organized the Essex
County Teacher's Association in July, 1874, and was the first president, continuing in office
three successive years. As was stated by a leading paper of the county : " When Mr. Owen
inaugurated this movement education was at a low ebb in the county ; there were, doubtless,
good schools but they were exceptional and not general. ... By this agency much perma-
nent good has been accomplished, much has been done to advance the people's cause and to
have a better educational sentiment in the county."
Principal Owen has become well known on the platform as a public speaker. A writer of
prominence says ; " Professor Owen is a pleasant speaker, clear, sound, and ornate." In Sep-
tember, 1884, he delivered the annual address before the Essex County Agricultural Society at
Westport.
One of the ablest of his associate teachers in the county says : " Professor Owen stands in
the front rank of educators in Northeastern New York and gives tone and character to every
effort for reform and advancement." Sherman Academy under his administration has entered
678 History of Essex County.
upon a career of eminent success. By its instrumentality the youth of Essex county can re-
ceive a practical education at a moderate expense, fitting them for a further advancement in
college or directly for the duties of life.
ALEXANDER M'KENZIE.
AMONG the earliest settlers of the present town of Moriah was William M'Kenzie, who
came in about the year 1784 from St. Johns, Canada. He located at what became known
as M'Kenzie City, about a mile south of the present village of Port Henry. He and two of
his brothers obtained grants of one hundred and fifty acres respectively in that locality, which
was all subsequently transferi-ed to William. The family were of Scotch descent. He brought
with him his wife, Deborah (Towner) M'Kenzie and his oldest child, who was a daughter. In
the year succeeding his settlement in the town, his oldest son was born, Alexander M'Kenzie,
the subject of this sketch. He was the first white child born within the present limits of the
town. This boy grew up with his father's family and took his share of the duties connected
with the tavern, the ferry and the farm which his father conducted. William M'Kenzie became
a leading man in the town ; was the first supervisor, holding the office a number of terms ;
the first justice of the peace, and held other town offices. He died at the age of fifty-six
years, and had long been known as " old 'Squire M'Kenzie."
Alexander M'Kenzie remained at home until after he was twenty-one, going to school a
little, particularly in winter seasons, but spending most of his time in the hard labor which
devolved upon all young pioneers. Though given but limited advantages for acquiring educa-
tion, he developed quick intelligence and good common sense, and was given town offices
before he reached his majority. When he was twenty-four years old he moved to the farm on
the hill just east of Moriah Corners, on the north .side of the road, which had been given him
by his father. Deacon Jedediah Edgerton then occupied the farm on the opposite side of the
road, where Lyman M'Kenzie now lives. Alexander was not yet married, but he began
making a clearing and built a small frame-house, which is still standing among the farm build,
ings. In the year. 1810, about a year after he began work on his farm, he married Lydia
Edgerton, daughter of Deacon Jedediah Edgerton, who was one of the pioneers of the town
and remembered as the " father of the Presbyterian Church " in the town. She was a woman
of strong character and much intelligence, and became while she lived a real helpmate of her
husband. Mr. M'Kenzie was successful as a farmer, and had a peculiar faculty of acquiring
and retaining general information. Although at the age of sixteen he scarcely had the rudi-
ments of the English branches, he filled out what leisure he had, even after his marriage,
with reading and study ; it became customary with him to board the school-teachers of the
district gratuitously, so that he and his children might secure the advantages of evening
instruction. He thus became an excellent penman, a fair accountant, and a good reader. In
the year 1818 he erected the large dwelling on his farm which is still standing and now occu-
pied by Charles Will.
Ten years later, February 14th, 1828, his wife died of consumption. At that time his
family consisted of five children living, the oldest, Lyman, being then eighteen, and his sister,
Mary Jane, fifteen. They, with the father's help, kept the family together and cared for them
until he married the second time in 1831 ; in this marriage he was united to Amelia (King)
Grosvenor, widow of Elijah Grosvenor, of Crown Point. By her he had two children ; a son,
Elijah, now living in Nebraska, and a daughter, who died in Kansas. Mr. M'Kenzie remained
on his farm on the north side of the road until about the year 1847, when the valuable Edger-
ton farm of two hundred acres on the opposite side, formerly the property of Daniel Tarbell,
came into market, and he and his sons Lyman and Jedediah purchased it. The large dwell-
ing now occupied by Lyman M'Kenzie was then standing, having been built in 1831 ; there
was another dwelling on the farm, which Jedediah occupied, while Lyman lived in a house on
the north side of the road, a little further up the hill ; the father took the large homestead.
Charles W. Woodford. 679
Here he resided in peace and contentment, enjoying the eminent respect of all his acquaint-
ances and the competence which his labors had accumulated. In recognition of the splendid
natural ability with which Mr. M'Kenzie was endowed, his townsmen elected him to nearly every
town office, in all of which he sustained his honorable reputation for the strictest integrity and
performed his public duties' with rare skill and judgment. He was known throughout the
county and distinguished for his unpretentious worth. He was not ambitious for the distinc-
tion of public office or station, but conscientiously performed his duty wherever he saw it.
While he in all business transactions exacted his due, no one could ever charge that the same
was not awarded by him. When he died it was in the enjoyment of the general good will of
all. Lyman M'Kenzie, the only son of Alexander now living in Essex county, still lives at
the age of seventy-four on the homestead. We have noted his residence a little west of the
present homestead, to which place he removed after his marriage in 1832. He was united
with Arsinoe Havens, daughter of George H. Havens, one of the pioneers of the town. He
remained there, successfully carrying on his part of the farm, until about the year 1858, when,
on account of his father's failing health, he took his family and joined the household in the
homestead. Here he remained and cared carefully for his father until the death of the latter,
which event occurred on the 19th of November, 1873, at the age of eighty-eight years. Previ-
ous to his father's death, Lyman purchased the interest which his father had given his three
daughters in the homestead farm, and has sinced owned and occupied it. Mr. M'Kenzie's
wife died January 20th, 1884. They had three sons, all of whom are living. George A. is
the oldest, and is in the land office at Stockton, Cal. The second son is named Marcus Col-
lins, and now lives in Keeseville, Essex county. The third son, born in 1844, named Henry
Clay M'Kenzie, lives on the place from which his father removed to the homestead, and which
his father recently has given him.
Mr. M'Kenzie enjoys the respect and confidence of his townsmen, and the consciousness
of a life given to industry and good works.
CHARLES W. WOODFORD.
HENRY E. WOODFORD, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1810 in Ottery,
St. Mary's, near Exeter, England, and came to America about 1832, settling in BurUng-
ton, Vt. There he married Catharine A. Martin, an excellent woman of more than common
strength of character, inherited from the old Puritan stock. Mr. Woodford was a general
mechanic schooled under the rigid discipline of the English shops. He followed his trade for
a time in Burlington, and went from there to Jericho, Vt., where he built and operated a grist-
mill and turning shop. About the year 1836 or 1837 he removed to Montreal where he was
drafted into military service as a British subject in the Papineau, or " Patriot " war. He sub-
sequently returned to Jericho and went from there to Keeseville, N. Y., where he was foreman
for Goulding, Green & Conro. He remained there from 1849 'o 1856, when the great freshet
swept the Ausable valley of all its workshops. Mr. Woodford then went to Watertown, N. Y.,
and was made superintendent of the steam engine manufactory of Hon. C. B. Hoard, then the
largest establishment of the kind in the country. A |year later he engaged with Goulding-
Bagley & Sewell, of the same place, as agent to sell and erect their machinery. When the
late war broke out he was employed in the great firearms manufactory of the Remingtons, at
IHon, N. Y., remaining there about a year. He then returned to Keeseville and took a con-
tract to manufacture about one hundred of the Dodge horse nail machines, then recently per-
fected ; the contract included the machines now in use in the Ausable Nail Works and by the
Northwestern Nail Company, of Chicago. Soon after the completion of- his contract he went
to Plattsburg, where he was engaged as superintendent for Hartwell & Myers, founders and
machinists ; he remained there four years when he joined his son (the subject of this sketch)
in Montreal, with whom he remained until his death, which occurred in Essex May 23d, 1884.
This much is said of the elder Woodford chiefly to show the kind of stock from which
68o History of Essex County.
Charles W. Woodford came. His father was a general mechanic of first-class ability and,
moreover, possessed inventive genius of a high order; but lacked what his son seems to have
inherited from his mother — excellent administrative and executive ability. He invented nu-
merous machines and greatly improved others, for which patents were issued, but the avails of
which have generally been secured by other persons.
Among his three sons is Charles W. Woodford, who was born at Jericho, Vt., April nth,
1839. He lived there, attending school and otherwise filling out his youthful years until he
was ten years old when his father removed to Keeseville. His studies were finished in the Keese-
ville Academy. At the age of fourteen he entered the shop and from that time to the present
his life has been largely devoted to the higher class of mechanics and invention. Under the
direct instruction of his father his advancement was so rapid that when he was seventeen he
received journeyman's pay. After the great freshet he accompanied his parents to Water-
town where he remained until the breaking out of the war when he promptly enlisted among
the first recruits, joining the Thirty-fifth Regiment as a musician. At the end of his term of
service (two years) he was offered a commission as engineer in the regular U. S. Navy, by
Hon. Gideon Wells, secretary of the navy. Declining this he went to Keeseville and was
associated with his father in the contract for making the Dodge horse nail machines, as before
mentioned. He remained in Keeseville two years after the contract was executed, going then
to Montreal (1868) where he erected a horse nail factory and built the machines — the first
successful establishment of the kind in Canada. The factory was built for Morland, Watson
& Co. After it was in successful operation Mr. Woodford leased it for ten years, they taking the
product at a contract price. Four years later he erected the first successful establishment in
Canada for the manufacture of horse shoes by machinery. This establishment he also leased
and operated for six years.
With the approach of the panic of 1877 Mr. Woodford made arrangements to sell out his
interests, which he did in ;i878, to the Montreal Rolling Mill Company. He then remained
for about two years without any business operations on hand.
It now becomes necessary to note the products ot Mr. Woodford's inventive genius, which
had not remained idle during the ten years preceding the sale above mentioned. The suc-
cessful manufacture of horse nails by machinery was for many years a vexing problem to in-
ventors and not until the machine made by Mr. Dodge, of Keeseville, came out (of which the
elder Woodford made the first hundred) can there be said to have been much advancement
made towards solving the problem. While Charles W. Woodford was engaged with his father
on these machines, he invented several very valuable improvements which were adopted and
successfully used in the Montreal factory, and are still in use, But what was wanting
was a machine that would yf^w.^ and paint the nails after being forged by the Dodge machine.
Mr. Woodford saw that if he could accomplish this branch of the work his fortune was
made. It is one of his most prominent characteristics to persevere and push to final success
anything he undertakes, and this instance proved no exception. He perfected a machine of
great ingenuity which does its work perfectly and with great rapidity. It, of course, proved of
great value, and is in use in all the successful works in this country, as well as in most of the
prominent countries of Europe and the world. He also invented machinery for making horse-
shoes, which is in successful operation. His other inventions take a wide range, but are of
less importance than those mentioned. Most of his devices are covered by patents.
In 1879 the Essex Horse Nail Company was organized and works built in Essex village for
manufacturing under the Mills patents. After loss of considerable money and failure of the
machinery Mr. Woodford was sent for to resuscitate and reorganize the factory and put in his
machinery. He came on in 1880 and entered first into a two years contract with the company
which was extended to five years more, under which he was made superintendent of the works,
which contract is still in force and the establishment in successful operation, He is now a
large stockholder in the company and a director, Mr. Woodford has twice visited Europe in
C. W. Woodford.
Joseph Cook. 68 i
connection with the introduction of his nail machinery there, and has traveled extensively in
this country.
Personally Mr. Woodford is of nervous temperament ; quick in movement ; prompt in
speech ; persistent, active, and thoroughly energetic in whatever he undertakes and never
disposed to give up to any kind of failure ; he is social and domestic in his tastes and habits ;
always found prominent in local societies and institutions and lending his efficient aid to the
success of their affairs. He is aggressive in his disposition towards those who disagree with
him on important matters, such as politics, in which he is an uncompromising Republican,
temperance, church, and public affairs generally. He is a ready debater and has often been
sent to County conventions, and in 1884 was delegate to the State convention. In church
affairs (Episcopalian) he has long been conspicuous and was made chairman of the building
committee of St. Jude's church of Montreal. He is a strong advocate of temperance principles
and prominent in the various organizations. He is also high in the order of Masonry. He is
Commander of the G. A. R. Post at Willsborough, and a prominent member of the Essex
Musical Union and the Essex Literary Society. In all of these institutions he is looked to by
his associates as a leader, and in all emergencies as the one who can overcome all obstacles,
of whatever character. In his business operations he has set up a high standard and nothing
will induce him to depart from it ; hence, wherever he has lived he has left an honorable record
behind him.
Mr. Woodford was married in 1864 to Helen E. Collins, of Keeseville ; they have four
children living.
JOSEPH COOK.
JOSEPH COOK, son of William H. Cook (see history of Ticonderoga), was born in Ticon-
deroga on the 26th of January, 1838. After preliminary studies at Whitehall Academy
and Keeseville Academy, and learning French at Pointe-aux-Trembles, near Montreal, he
was prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., under the celebrated classical
teacher. Dr. Samuel H. Taylor. He entered Yale College in the year 1858, but his health be-
came impaired and he left the institution early in 1861. He entered Harvard College as a
junior in 1863 and was graduated in 1865 with honors and bearing off several of the first prizes.
He then entered Andover Theological Seminary and finished the regular three years' course.
He devoted a fourth year at Andover to the special study of advanced religious and philosoph-
ical thought. He was licensed as a preacher of the gospel, and has acted in that capacity to a
considerable extent, but he was never ordained and never sought, although he has often been
offered, a settlement in the ministry. In September, 1 871, he went to Europe for two years,
where he studied at Halle, Leipsic, Berlin, and Heidelberg, under the guidance of Tholuck,
Dorner, Julius MuUer, and Kuno Fischer. After traveling in Italy, Egypt, Syria, Greece, Tur-
key and other countries of Europe, he returned to the United States at the close of 1873 and
took up his residence in Boston. In the following year he entered upon his special labor as a
lecturer on the relations of religion and science, and kindred topics.
His lectures have been delivered mostly in Tremont Temple, Boston, and are widely known
as the " Boston Monday Lectures.'' They appeared in whole or in part in leading newspapers,
and led to Mr. Cook's being called on to deliver, on other days of the week, courses of lectures
in the principal cities of the United States.
Eight volumes of his lectures have been published in the United States, and ten in England,
each containing "Preludes on Current Events," i.e., short addresses discussing topics of
urgent practical and religious importance, such as civil-service reform, temperance, fraud in
elections, Mormonism, the Chinese question, the Bible in schools, etc.
His work on Biology has passed through sixteen editions, that on Transcendentalism
through thirteen, and that on Orthodoxy through seven.
682 History of Essex County.
In Boston alone Mr. Cook has delivered one hundred and sixty-two lectures, on the most
difficult philosophical, scientific, and political topics to audiences consisting chiefly of men, as-
sembled at noon on Monday, the busiest hour of the busiest day of the week, and, up to the
last, often overflowing Tremont Temple, which has seat and standing-room for about three
thousand persons. For the last six years Mr. Cook's Monday lectures, as stenographically re-
ported and revised, have been regularly published in full in Boston, New York, and London,
and have appeared in large extracts in many leading religious journals at home and abroad, so
that they have reached, at a moderate estimate, a million readers weekly — a highly gratifying
proof of their innate worth.
In the year ending July 4th, 1878, Mr. Cook delivered one hundred and fifty lectures, sixty
in the East, ten of them in New York city, and sixty in the West, besides thirty new lectures in
Boston ; issued three volumes, one of which is now in its sixteenth and another in its thir-
teenth edition, and traveled on hi% lecture trips 10,500 miles.
In the year ending July 4th, 1879, Mr. Cook delivered one hundred and sixty lectures,
seventy-two in the East, twenty of them in Boston and ten in New York, seventy in the
West, five in Canada, two in Utah, and eleven in California, of which five were in San
Francisco. He twice crossed the Continent in the last four months of the season, and in the
last nine months traveled on his lecture trips 12,500 miles. During the winter Mr. Cook con-
ducted a Boston Monday-noon lectureship and a New York Thursday evening lectureship at the
same time. On the closing evening of Mr. Cook's course of ten lectures in New York city,
some two hundred people were turned away, unable to find standing-room, and the money for
their tickets was refunded.
In 1880, 1881, and 1882 Mr. Cook, accompanied by his wife, made a lecturing tour of the
world. In all the great cities visited there were immense audiences. It is believed that topics
as difficult and serious as Mr. Cook's were never before carried through a tour of similar ex-
tent and success. During the two years and seventy days occupied by Mr. Cook's journey
around the world, he spoke oftener than every other working day while on the land.
Mr. Cook made one hundred and thirty-five public appearances while in the British Islands.
Of these, thirty-nine were in Scotland, thirteen in Ireland, and eighty-three in England and
Wales. His audiences were of extraordinary size, quality, and enthusiasm. He was repeatedly
called to leading towns to meet overflowing assemblies. Mr. Cook gave five lectures in Edin-
burgh during eight consecutive days, and the audiences crowded all available room in the
largest halls, and grew in enthusiastic interest to the last.
After spending some months in Germany and Italy Mr. Cook went, by the way of Greece,
Palestine, and Egypt, to India, where he arrived on the 5th of January, 1882, and where he
spent about three months. During this period he lectured in Bombay, Poonah, Ahmednagar,
Lucknow, Allahabad, Benares (the headquarters of Hindooism), Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore,
etc., etc., to large, intelligent, and appreciative audiences, composed of both Europeans and
natives. In eighty-four consecutive days he made forty-two public appearances in that coun-
try and Ceylon. Every one of the principal towns from the Himalayas to the sea gave him
eager and overflowing audiences of educated Hindoos, and the results of his lectures to those
people will doubtless be seen in future years. In Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, hundreds
were turned away from the doors, owing to the largest available halls being overcrowded.
During his stay in Calcutta Mr. Cook and the leaders of the Brahmo Somaj, or Society of
Theists, exchanged repeated visits, and explained their religious opinions at great length.
From India Mr. Cook's tour extended to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the
Sandwich Islands. In Japan he gave twelve lectures, six in English and six through an in-
terpreter, to audiences composed chiefly of Japanese students, teachers, and public men. He
gave one address in Canton, one in Foochow, and three elaborate lectures in Shanghai.
In Australasia, in the winter of the Southern Hemisphere, from July to October, 1882, Mr.
Cook gave long courses of lectures to brilliant, crowded, and enthusiastic assemblies in Sydney,
Rawson Clark Buck. 683
Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and other leading towns. There were fifty-eight public ap-
pearances in all.
It is, perhaps, unnecessary to trace in detail Mr. Cook's seasons of public labor since 1882 ;
it will be sufBcient to state that they have been scarcely less active and comprehensive than
the preceding ones, and no less popular. And this marvelous record does not, by any means,
cover the entire field of his work. In the season of 1884-85, besides a full course of lectures
in the Boston Monday lectureship to audiences of from 2,000 to 3,000 people assembled at
noon, Mr. Cook's lecture tour extended to Manitoba, Oregon, Vancouver Island, California,
Louisiana, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, to say nothing of the Middle and Western States.
Of Mr. Cook's characteristics and personality as a lecturer, a writer and a man, it is not
■easy to give the reader a clear comprehension. He has been designated by one of the greatest
educators in America, as " a phenomenon to be accounted for." Another writes him down as
" a many-sided man ; the greatest prophet of his time ; a John the Baptist of the nineteenth
•century ; " and another, as " one of the most remarkable men of our time." And the various
reviews of his work, written by men eminently fitted to express themselves on such a subject,
bristle with the most enthusiastic encomiums upon his great learning and research, his wonder-
fully vigorous and original thought, his fiery, impassioned eloquence, his almost marvelous
" magnetic power,'' as it is termed, and his commanding presence and manner. A brief quo-
tation from President James McCosh, of Princeton College, is of peculiar pertinence in this
■connection ; he wrote as follows, in 1879: —
" Mr. Cook did not take up the work he has accomplished as a trade, or by accident, or
from impulse ; but for years he had been preparing for it, and prepared for it by an overruling
.guidance. He comes forth in Boston, which is undoubtedly the most literary city in America,
.and one of the great literary cities of the world. He has as much power of eloquence as Par-
ker, and vastly more acquaintance with philosophy than the mystic Emerson. He lightens and
thunders, throwing a vivid light on a topic by an expression or comparison, or striking a pre-
sumptuous error as by a bolt from heaven. He is not afraid to discuss the most abstract, sci-
-entific, or philosophic themes before a popular audience ; he arrests his hearers first by his ear-
nestness, then by the clearness of his exposition, and fixes the whole in the mind by the earnest-
ness of his moral purpose."
Through all of Mr. Cook's varied experiences and extensive travels, he still retains the most
•ardent love for the quiet, historic scenes of his native town, where, in a beautifully situated
home, called "Cliff Seat," which his excellent taste, combined with that of his accomplished
wife, is annually rendering more attractive, he spends his summer months. At the summit ot
Tioger's Rock, which is easily reached by a carriage road from Cliff Seat, Mr. Cook has a sum-
mer house with a bold and wide outlook o\-er lake and mountains.
On the 30th of Januar)', 1877, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Hem-
ingway, of New Haven, Conn., a lady who is fitted by nature and education to be the com-
panion of such a man.
RAWSON CLARK BUCK.
AMONG the prominent families who early settled in the town of Crown Point were those ot
Hiram and Helon Buck, who located on Putnam's creek at what has since been known as
Buck Hollow. Hiram, father of the subject of this notice, was born in 1804 in Bridport, Vt.,
-and made the settlement in Crown Point when he was twenty years old. The two brothers
became prominent citizens and were conspicuously identified with the interests and growth of
the town. They purchased lands in the vicinity of Buck Hollow ; built mills, a store, tavern,
and numerous other structures. These mutual interests were subsequently dissolved, the bus-
iness at Buck Hollow passing to the possession of Hiram. Leaving the immediate conduct of
-his mercantile business to others, he entered largely into the purchase and sale of wild lands
684 History of Essex County.
in this county, through the early land sales at Albany, and also dealt in improved real estate
until he became one of the largest land owners in this section of the State. He was a man of
broad views ; possessed a mind capable of grasping great enterprises and conducting them to
successful issues ; farseeing judgment and a character founded upon principles of justice and
integrity. He was prominent in the Masonic Order and through his early connection with the
State militia in which he held several offices, he became known as Colonel Buck. Few men
were more anxious for the growth and advancement of his town or did more for these objects
than he ; and in all of his extensive operations he gained and maintained the good-will and es-
teem of his townsmen.
In 1836 he was married to Almedia Rawson, daughter of Clark Rawson, a prominent fam-
ily of Schroon. She was born September 28th, 1810, and is now living in Schroon. Hiram
Buck died February 7th, 1864.
Rawson Clark Buck, the subject of this sketch, was born at Crown Point, Essex county,
N. v., on the 2d day of October, 1844. His parents were Colonel Hiram Buck and Almedia
Bass (Rawson) Buck, his wife, a lineage of which any citizen might be proud. Colonel Buck
being a member of the well known family of that name who were for many years prominent in
Vermont, and Mrs. Buck being a direct descendant in the seventh generation from Edward
Rawson, who in 1654 was secretary of the colony of Massachusetts. With this ancestry of
New England blood it was natural that Mr. Buck should develop those characteristics which
subsequently made him one of the men of mark in his locality.
He was one of three children. His sister, Mrs. Captain Paris S. Russell resides at, and is
largely identified with the business interests of Schroon Lake, in the town of Schroon adjoining
Crown Point. He was educated at the common school in Crown Point until he had passed
beyond its limits when he completed his education at Fort Edward Institute, and finally fitted
himself for a business life by a course of study at Eastman's Business College in Poughkeepsie.
He early identified himself with Crown Point's business enterprises, and soon established him-
self as a prominent and successful merchant at the Center, where he established, in connection
with his other business, a drug store and fitted himself for carrying on that business by a
careful study of the duties of a pharmacist. In a county so intensely opposed to his political
views there was but little chance for political preferment had he been so inclined. He was
ever ready however to cast his name and influence with the fortunes of his party ; several times
he was a candidate for the important county offices on the Democratic ticket, where his repu-
tation as a citizen carried his vote far beyond those of his party, though defeated for the office.
His reputation for honesty and integrity in every way extended far beyond the limits of his own
county, and that " his word was as good as his bond " was no idle boast with him.
He married, September 15th, 1868, Emma AdeleMyrick, daughter of B. J. Myrick, of Brid-
port, Vt., by whom he had one child, a daughter (Almedia M.) born June 12th, 1870. This is
not the place wherein to speak of the domestic virtues of those whose lives are sketched ; but
if a kind and indulgent husband and parent are to be reckoned as a subject of comment,
then the author of this memoranda can vouch for the fact that the sweet American word
"home " never had a better exemplification than in the household of Rawson Clark Buck.
The death of Mr. Buck, which took place on the 8th day of February, 1885, was unexpected.
A sufferer from asthma for many years and never in good health he hence fell an easy victim
to pneumonia, which attacked him when he was debilitated from attendance upon the bedside
of his sick child.
Thus ending a life which was from its inception one of devotion to his loved ones, of beau-
tiful endeavors, and honest purposes, and whose epitaph might justly be " Here lies an honest
man, the noblest work of God."
A
WILLIAM SIMONDS.
S eariy as the beginning of the present century, Gardner Simonds came into Elizabeth-
town, from Shoreham, Vt. He brought with him his family and purchased a farm on
R. C. Buck.
William Simonds. 685
what has since been known as " Simonds Hill." One of his sons was Erastus Simonds, father
of the subject of this sketch. Erastus Simonds also became a farmer and lived in several dif-
ferent localities in the town, in the Simonds Hill region. To any one having a knowledge of
this town as far as relates to its agricultural adaptation, it will not be surprising that many of
the settlers were more or less discouraged with their prospects.
Here, on a wilderness farm, was born, on the loth day of September, 1808, the subject of
this sketch, William Simonds. His early years were passed amid the toils and hardships of
pioneer life, on the farm occupied by his father, interspersed with very meagre seasons of
going to the early district schools. The first school he attended was kept in a primitive build-
ing which stood about half a mile north of the present school-house, on Simonds Hill. One of
the first teachers was Huldah Little, who had a method of punishing her refractory pupils by
making them climb up the logs on the gable of the school house, where they would get
thoroughly smoked by the big chimney. William remained at home until he was about
fourteen years old, all of which time he lived on the Hill farm. He then left the paternal
roof and struck out for himself, working for six years for different farmers in the town, among
whom were James Esterbrook, who lived up the valley of the Boquet, and Jesse Churchill,
about one and a half miles northeast of Elizabethtown village. When he reached the age of
twenty years, having saved a little money, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres
on Simonds Hill, to which his father's family removed and he lived with them. There he
built a log house and passed about twenty years of his life, in the arduous toil necessary to the
improvement of a farm in this locality. His father died on the farm in 1842. When he was
twenty-five years old, he married Lydia Minerx'a Hanchett, daughter of Squire Hanchett, who
also lived on the Hill. She was a young lady of more than ordinary intelligence and strength
of character, and has ever since shared the labor and enjoyment of her husband and still walks
by his side in the serenity of contented age.
After twenty years of farm life, Mr. Simonds became convinced that he could better him-
self in another vocation, and accordingly sold out and removed to Black Pond, where he oc-
cupied and kept the hotel there. This house was on the road leading to Moriah, over which
there was a large amount of teaming, drawing ore, lumber, etc., which gave the hotel a liberal
support. It has been often said that few men know how to keep a hotel ; if this is a correct
statement, William. Simonds is one of the few. He remained there three years, becoming
more and more popular, at the end of which time David Judd, the owner of the old Valley
House, in Elizabethtown (which stood nearer the branch of the Boquet than the present
house of that name), induced him to come to the village and take the management of that
hotel. That was previous to the period when each summer brought hundreds of tourists into
and through this \-illage ; but it being the county seat, the hotel patronage has always been
large, and Mr. Simonds soon proved his ability to secure the guests and to so take care of
them that they would not willingly leave his house for another. He kept the Valley House
about two years, reaping substantial success, when it was burned with all its contents. This
was a terrible loss to Mr. Simonds, for his insurance had but recently expired and was not
then renewed. He consequently found himself without house or home. Judge Henry H.
Ross, of Essex, was then the owner of the Mansion House, in Elizabethtown, as it then existed,
and two years after the fire Mr. Simonds purchased the property. Here his success in keep-
ing a popular house was unqualified, and in 1874, with the growth of summer travel into the
Adirondack region and the increased attendance at courts and for other county business, he
found his house too small for his largely extended patronage. He accordingly rebuilt the hotel
to its present splendid proportions. It is excellently planned for the comfort of guests, with
large dining-rooms, so arranged as to secure perfect ventilation, broad piazzas, ample grounds
and connected with a productive farm, from which fresh products for the table are procured.
The Mansion House is now known and its merits appreciated throughout the country.
During his life Mr. Simonds has gained a reputation, outside of his business, as an esti-
686 History of Essex County.
mable citizen in all respects. His townsmen have elected him supervisor and to other town
offices, although he has never sought public station of any kind. Indeed, he is of a retiring
disposition naturally, though at perfect ease in any circle, and possesses the somewhat rare
qualities that make the stranger feel as if he had long known him. Courtly and urbane in
manner, possessed of sound common sense and excellent judgment, he quickly wins friends-
and their confidence, to which it is his nature to remain steadfast. Though not in any sense
a public man, he nevertheless opens his hand liberally in support of all measures for the welfare
of the community. He is a Republican in politics and came forward to the earnest support
of the government in the time of its trial. He contributes liberally to the support of all the
churches of the town, believing they are all engaged in good work.
Mr. Simonds's family consists of two daughters and his wife. The eldest daughter is the
wife of T. C. Lamson, who is connected with the management of the Mansion House. The
other daughter is the wife of Orlando Kellogg, proprietor of the Windsor, in Elizabethtown.
A son died in infancy.
GEORGE SHERMAN.
IN the year 1802, Nathan Sherman joined the tide of emigration and left the town of Claren
don, Rutland county, Vt., for Moriah, Essex county, N. Y. He took with him his wife and
two sons, the youngest being less than a year old. He was a farmer and located on a place a
little south of Moriah Corners. He was a man of more than ordinary native ability, and
became prominent in the community ; was elected to the office of justice of the peace, town
clerk and otherwise honored by his townsmen. Later in life he removed to near Rochester,
locating on a farm where he remained until his death. His children were three sons and three
daughters, as follows : Harry, George, Laura, Olive, Alfred and Mary Ann.
George Sherman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Clarendon, Vt., on the 22d of
October, 1801, being the second son of Nathan Sherman, and came with his parents to Moriah,
in 1802, when less than a year old. His early life did not differ materially from that of the
children of other early settlers in the county, who made farming their occupation. That he
found hard work to do is certain, and it was relieved but little by brief seasons, mostly in
winter months, in the district schools ; these were the only sources of his education, as far as
schools were concerned. But he was a man of active intelligence and inquiring mind, and he
soon added a fund of general information to the education obtained in the schools.
He remained on his father's farm until he reached his majority, when he was united in
marriage with Thedy Tarbell, daughter of Tarbell, and sister of Daniel Tarbell, one
of the pioneer families of Moriah. He continued farming until about 1826, when he engaged
in the lumber business and built a saw-mill a little west of Moriah Corners, on Mill Brook.
The manufacture and shipment of lumber was then and for many years afterward, the chief
industry of this region, and Mill Brook earned its name by turning many busy wheels.
In 1834 he sold out his property and removed to Moriah village; but he remained there
only a short time, when he purchased a farm west of the village, and while living there, oper-
ated what was known as the stone saw-mills. This property was then owned by Messrs. Cole
and Tarbell. He remained there several years, but finally disposed of his property and joined
his father for one season, near Rochester. Returning he engaged in mercantile business at
Moriah village. This continued until, in 1846, he, in company with John A. Lee and Lifelet
Hall, (under the firm name of Lee, Hall & Sherman), purchased the mining property now
owned by Witherbees, Sherman & Co. They began mining and shipping ore, and did some-
thing in iron manufacturing in the furnace at Port Henry. This was the beginning oi the
development in a profitable way, of the later vast iron operations in this town. Mr. Hall subse-
quently sold his interest in the business to A. J. Rousseau, from whom it passed to S. K. & J.
G. Witherbee, in 1851-2. [See sketch of Jonathan G. Witherbee succeeding.] The firm
now became Lee & Sherman, and the divided iron interests of the two parties named were
George Sherman.
Jonathan Gilman Witherbee. 687
operated separately for a short time, when Lee & Sherman sold sufficient of their interest in
their new bed to the Witherbees firm to give them, when added to property they had ac-
quired from the Nobles and the Port Henry furnaces, an equal share of the combined prop-
erties, and the firm of Lee, Sherman & Witherbees, was formed. Finally, Mr. Lee sold out
to the other members of the firm (George R. Sherman coming in on the same purchase), and
the tirm of Witherbees, Sherman & Co. was formed, which has continued to the present time.
Of this firm George Sherman was a conspicuous and influential member and prominent in the
development of its vast mining, furnace, railroad and other interests, until his death. One of
the principal obstacles to successful mining in early days, was the difficulty and expense of
transportation of the ore from the mines, over about seven miles of wagon road, for shipment.
This obstacle was overcome during Mr. Sherman's life, by the construction of a plank road,
of which he was superintendent. This was supplemented in 1868-9 ^Y the Lake Champlain &
Moriah railroad, in which company Mr. Sherman was a director. In short in all of the va-
rious features of the great business of the firm, he was a leading and moving spirit.
Outside of his business Mr. Sherman was no less conspicuous in the town in all matters
pertaining to its general welfare. It cannot be said that any good work ever appealed to him
in vain ; at the same time his best deeds were not done in a manner to draw attention to him-
self. He was not a self-seeker in any sense, his chief aim being to be considered one of the
staunch business men of the town and to so order his daily life as to secure the respect and
esteem of his townsmen. He was elected to the office of supervisor and might have risen to
higher political station had his inclination led him in that direction. The churches, schools
and other public institutions, all received substantial benefit at his hands, and the Sherman
Academy, at Moriah, received the splendid endowment of thirty thousand dollars from him.
[See history of the town of Moriah.]
Mr. Sherman had two children, both sons ; George R., of the present firm of Witherbees,
Sherman & Co., married Jane H. Douglass, daughter of Jno. C. Douglass. They have had
two children, one of whom is deceased. George D., nov^f lives in Port Henry. The other
son of George Sherman was Kinsley Sherman, who married Sarah Holcomb, of Ticonderoga.
He removed to Cleveland, O., where he became prominent in the iron industry. He died
in 1873.
George Sherman died in Saratoga, September 7th, 1877, at the age of 76 years. His wife
died in Saratoga, August 21st, 1882, aged 84 years.
JONATHAN GILMAN WITHERBEE.
THE subject of this sketch was born at Crown Point, Essex county, June 7th, 1821, and
died at Port Henry, August 35th, 1875. He was a son of Thomas Witherbee, who was
born April 2d, 1797, and came to this county from Shrewsbury, Mass. His mother was Milly
Adams, born November 4th, 1797, in Barre, Mass. He was the oldest of eight children, and
passed his youth with his parents at Crown Point, gaining such education as was afforded
by the local schools of that period. When about eighteen years old he left home perman-
ently, going first to Port Henry, where he worked for a short period about the furnaces, suc-
ceeding which he entered the store at that place (Cedar Point). He possessed a natural
aptitude as an accountant and after one year in the store he went to Saugerties and engaged
as book-keeper for J. & L. Tuckerman, iron manufacturers. His next employment was as
book-keeper for the Bay State Iron Company. Upon the failure of this combination the
agent of the company secured an appointment in Clinton prison and Mr. Witherbee was
made his successor.
In the spring of the year 1849 the firm of S. H. & J. G. Witherbee was formed, the two
members being uncle and nephew, and from that date until the death of Jonathan G., no one
of the various large interests in which they engaged was attempted except upon an equal
basis, and neither of them ever after conducted any individual enterprise. The firm first
688 History of Essex County.
leased the wharf at Port Henry. Lake transportation of all kinds was then at its height and
they built up an enormous business, employing one year one hundred and fifty boats. This
branch of their business was continued until 1868, when it was sold to the Whitehall Trans-
portation Company. Meanwhile the affairs of the Bay State Iron Company had passed into a
receivers hands, from whom the property was leased by Mr. Witherbee and his uncle, and
the development of their subsequent vast iron operations was begun. In the year 1851-52
they purchased of A. J. Rousseau nine twenty-fourths interest in the Sanford ore bed and
one-third interest in the "new bed," and in the fall of 1852 purchased a sufficient interest to
give them a one-half interest in the latter named bed, at the same time acquiring by lease
such a share in the Nobles and Port Henry furnaces' interest in the Sanford ore bed as would
give them a half-interest in the old (Sanford) bed, when all these interests were united and the
firm of Lee, Sherman & Witherbees was formed. As noted in the preceding sketch of George
Sherman, Mr. Lee soon sold his interest to them and George R. Sherman and the present
well-known firm style of Witherbees, Sherman & Co. was adopted. The different interests
then represented by the firm in this great property were S. H. Witherbee, one-third ;' Jonathan
G. Witherbee, one-third ; George Sherman, one-fourth ; George R. Sherman, one-twelfth.
Tracing further the business operations of Mr. Witherbee we find that in 1852 S. H. &
J. G. Witherbee formed a copartnership with Kinsley Sherman (brother of George R. Sher-
man) for the handling of iron ore in the west, with headquarters in Cleveland, O., where Mr.
Sherman was in the immediate management of the business of the firm ; the style being
Sherman & Witherbees. The connection continued until the death of Mr. Sherman in 1873.
In the year 1863 the firm united with F. B. Fletcher, of Bridport, Vt., and erected a
charcoal blast-furnace near Mineville, under the firm name of Witherbees & Fletcher. This
connection existed until the death of Mr. Fletcher in 1874. From the iron made by this firm
the first Bessemer steel produced in this country was manufactured.
In the year 1864 the firm of Witherbees, Sherman & Co. purchased a one-fourth interest
in the Port Henry Iron Ore Company, forming a connection which still exists. J. G. Wither-
bee filled the office of director in this organization at various periods.
In 1868 the Lake Champlain& Moriah Railroad Company was organized, for the construc-
tion of a road from the lake to the mines of Witherbees, Sherman & Co. and the Port Henry
Iron Ore Company, for the more rapid and economical transportation of their ores to the lake.
The firm were one-half owners of the stock of this organization and the stockholders in the
Port Henry Ore Company took the remaining half Mr. Witherbee acted as one of the
directors of the road at different times.
In 1870 the First National Bank of Port Henry was organized, with Mr. Witherbee as its
first president. This office he continued to hold until his death.
In the year 1873 the Cedar Point Iron Company was organized, with J. G. Witherbee as
president. They built the furnaces at Cedar Point and first introduced in this country from
England the Whitwell Jiot blast stoves for utilizing high heats in iron-making.
Such is a brief resume of the principal business operations of Jonathan G. Witherbee.
If it indicates anything it is that he was a remarkable man in his capacity to grasp and success-
fully direct great enterprises. In such undertakings, the detail of which would distract and para-
lyze the powers of men less favorably constituted for such operations, Mr. Witherbee seemed
to see the end from the beginning. He looked over his ground, formed his judgment with
rapidity and almost unerring accurracy, and after that proceeded to the execution of his plans
with serene confidence that all would result according to his expectation. He was, as must
be seen, a very busy man ; but his manifold interests never worried him ; in all these his
power was sufficient for any emergency and his time adequate for all requirements. And he
found time, too, for other duties than those confined to his business operations. He was the
first president of Port Henry village and gave to all the duties of the office and, indeed, to
every improvement that promised to add to the welfare or beauty of the place, the sane care
and efficient attention that was bestowed upon his own affairs. He was an earnest worker in
Albert A. Boynton. 689
the political field, on the Republican side, though never for his own advancement ; he never
sought nor accepted office, but his time and means were always ready for the good of the
party, and when the government was threatened by internecine foes, none was more active
and liberal in its support than he. Though not personally connected with the church, all
religious organizations received his sympathy and material aid. In short, he not only suc-
ceeded in erecting a business and financial fabric of enormous proportions, but was in all
respects the useful citizen, to whom the confidence and respect of his townsmen was not the
least appreciated of his rewards.
This sketch may be appropriately closed with the following extract from the New York
Tribune, printed at the time of his death : —
"J. G. Witherbee, universally known in connection with the large iron interests of North-
em New York, died of apoplexy at his home in Port Henry, Wednesday, August 25th, at the
age of fifty-four. He had not been in robust health for some years, but continued actively
engaged in business to the last. Mr. Witherbee began life without means, and succeeded in
amassing a large fortune. At the time of his death he was president both of the Cedar Point
Iron Co. and of the First National Bank of Port Henry. He owned a third interest in the
firm of Witherbees, Sherman & Co., and was a director of the Port Henry Iron Ore Com-
pany, besides being largely identified with the business interests of northern New York.
Mr. Witherbee will best be remembered, however, for his large-hearted generosity, multitudes
of poor families having been supported by his bounty, bestowed without the knowledge of
others. Young men starting in business, as well as many persons afflicted with distress or
perplexity, have found in him a sympathizing friend, a wise counselor, and a practical helper.
In Port Henry the people deeply regret his death, as he had been for thirty years connected
with the general interests of that town."
ALBERT A. BOYNTON.
AMONG the ver>' early settlers in the State of Vermont was the family from whom the
subject of this sketch is descended. There in the town of Baltimore Joseph Boynton was
born and lived until he reached maturity. He married Thusa F. Martin, who was also a resi-
dent of that place, and within a year or two afterward, in 1827, joined the tide of emigration
to the westward and settled in the northern part of Lewis. He purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land, then covered with a heavy forest, made a clearing, bulk a log-house and
thus began the trying struggle of making a productive farm and a comfortable home in a
wilderness. On that farm he spent the remainder of his life. He had seven children, but two
of whom are now living — Mrs. Letitia Leonard, wife of Lucius Leonard, a farmer of the town
of Essex, and Albert A. Boynton, the subject of this sketch.
He was bom on the homestead in Lewis, September 26th, 1843. His youth passed like
that of most American boys in similar circumstances, in attendance at the district schools win-
ters only, during the later years up to the time when he was sixteen years old, but in that
period his application to study and his capacity to learn enabled him to acquire a good English
education in the common branches. When he was sixteen years old his father died and the
care of the family and the management of the farm devolved upon his young shoulders ; but
he proved himself equal to the responsibility and for fourteen years (until his mother's death in
1873) he managed the affairs of the family judiciously and with persistent energy.
In 1872 Mr. Boynton was married to Julia Emma Parrish, daughter of the late Hiram and
Emily Parrish, of Lewis. In 1873 he purchased a farm in the southern part of the town of
Lewis, which he occupied and worked until 1875, when he removed to the village of Lewis,
but carried on a farm a little north of the place. This he continued until 1879. He soon
afterward entered the store of \V. R. Derby, in Lewis, as a clerk, remaining with him while he
kept the store (about one year). He then accepted a similar position with M. Norton, where
44
690 History of Essex County.
he remained two and a half years. In August, 1884, he opened his present store in Lewis,
where he does the largest mercantile bnsiness in the town.
During his career in the town Mr. Boynton has been able, while still a young man, to secure
the unqualified confidence of his townsmen ; this has been shown in their choice of him first
for the office of constable in 1878 ; next for justice of the peace, which office he held for five
years ; and before his last term expired he was chosen town clerk, which position he held three
successive years. In the spring of 1885 he was elected supervisor of the town. In these va-
rious offices he has administered his affairs with integrity and ability, gaining the approbation
of his constituents and promoting the good of the community.
While Mr. Boynton may not be classed as a man of especial brilliance of intellect, and
lacked educational advantages in his youth, he is yet noted for sound common sense, is well-
informed on general affairs, and endowed with qualities which win him friends among all
classes. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton have one daughter, Mabel C, born August 13th, 1874.
GEORGE DENTON CLARK.
AMONG the pioneers of Westchester county, in this State, was Daniel Clark ; he was born
in that county, in the year 1763. In 1791 he removed with his family to Shoreham, Vt.,
and about the year 1800 came to Ticonderoga. One of his children was Alexander Denton
Clark, who located on the farm north of the site of Ticonderoga village, which has ever since
remained the family homestead. He was born in 1787, and was consequently about thirteen
years old when his father came to the town. His wife was Harma Treadway. daughter of
Jonathan Treadway, a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the pioneers of Ticonderoga. He
died on his farm on the 2d day of September, 1865, at the age of seventy-eight years. His
wife died November 4th, 1864, leaving four children — George Denton Clark (the subject of
this sketch); Julia A., married Cicero Sayre, of Westport, Essex county, where she now
resides ; Hosea T., now living at Ticonderoga ; Polly E., married Azro Bailey, both living in
the village of Ticonderoga. One daughter, Melissa A., died August 19th, 1864, wife of C. D.
Smith.
George Denton Clark, one of the leading farmers and land-owners of Ticonderoga, was
born on the homestead farm, February 19th, 1816. His educational advantages were limited
to the district school of his home, and some attendance at a select school in the village ; but
he improved his opportunities and secured the groundwork of a good English education. He
found plenty of hard work on the farm, like most sons of early settlers, and he performed his
share of it at home, until he was nineteen years of age, v^'hen his ambition prompted him to
seek a different occupation. He accordingly engaged with the firm of H. & T. J. Treadway,
to run a boat for them on the lake ; this he continued for three seasons. He then took of the
same firm their woolen factory, in Ticonderoga village, which he operated on shares for two
years. At the end of that period he closed out the business and returned to the home farm,
which he purchased. This was in the year 1840. In March of the same year he was united
in marriage with Rosina Cook, daughter of Warner Cook, who was a son of Samuel Cook, the
pioneer. She was born on the 6th of May, 1822, and still lives with the husband to whom she
has been in all respects a helpmate for nearly half a century.
Mr. Clark at once took a foremost position among the farmers of the town, a position that
he has since held. He was prominent in the introduction of fine breeds of sheep and other
stock ; brought the first mowing machine into the town and has since introduced much other
improved farm machinery, a work that has been of great assistance in the advancement of
better methods of agriculture. His industry, broad knowledge'of general farming, and excel-
lent practical judgment brought their rewards, and he has been able to add to his landed pos-
sessions, besides the homestead of two hundred and seventy acres, the place known as the
" Cook farm'' of three hundred acres ; another farm lying near the homestead, embracing one
hundred and sixty-four acres, and lots of two hundred and forty and one hundred acres of wild
Hon. Henry H. Ross. 691
lands in the towns of Hague and North Hudson. In all his varied business transactions Mr. Clark
has maintained the principles of integrity and uprightness which have formed the foundation
of his character ; thus winning the esteem and confidence of his' townsmen.
He has never sought public office, but has filled that of assessor for several terms. He
was prominent in the old State militia, entering as Captain and retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.
His politics are Republican.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Clark consists of three sons and two daughters. The eldest
is A. D. Clark, of Ticonderoga, who is married to Carrie Dake, of Cattaraugus county ; Mar-
ion E., married Lorenzo Locke, now proprietor of the Leland House, at Schroon Lake. Ade,
married Arthur L. Delano, now living in the town of Ticonderoga ; Frank C, married Jennie
Lee, daughter of Alexander Lee, living in the northern part of Ticonderoga. and James H.,
who lives with his parents.
HON. HENRY H. ROSS.
THE family of General Henry H. Ross has been prominent in the county of Essex from
its earliest history. As far back as 1765, his grandfather (William Gilliland) on thg
maternal side, retiring from a successful mercantile business in New York, became the pro-
prietor of large tracts of land on the west shore of Lake Champlain. This was but two years
subsequent to the treaty of Paris, by which France relinquished to Great Britain her claim to
the possession of that region, thus terminating the long contest known as the French and In-
dian war. The conflicting grants, however, which had been previously made by the respect-
ive governments, rendered titles for a time uncertain, producing much confusion and dissatis-
faction. It was during this condition of affairs, that he, in conjunction with Phillip Skene, then
governor of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and others, contemplated, it is said, the establish-
ment of an independent government, comprising the territory north of Massachusetts, and
between the Connecticut and St. Lawrence Rivers.
All the aspiring plans, however, of the early settlers, were frustrated by the breaking out
of the war of the Revolution. While Skene adhered to the king's cause, his former coadjutor
in schemes of political aggrandizement espoused the cause of the patriots with zeal and en-
ergy. No man, perhaps, rendered more effective service in advancing the expedition of Gen-
eral Montgomery into Canada in 1776, than William Gilliland. Such was his influence that
Carleton, governor of Canada, offered large rewards for his apprehension, and made vigorous
but ineffectual attempts to secure his capture. His property suffered severly from the frequent
inroads of the British, but his misfortune, in this respect, was small, in comparison with that
he endured at the hands of Benedict Arnold, then in command of the fleet upon the lake, who
unnecessarily destroyed his mills and dwellings and otherwise desolated his possessions. A
remarkable evidence of his appreciation of the true character of Arnold appears in a commu-
nication transmitted by him to the Continental Congress, where he depicts the innate baseness,
and foretells the ultimate apostacy of that arch-traitor to his country.
His son-in-law, Daniel Ross, father of the subject of this sketch, removed from Duchess
county, near the close of the Revolution, and established himself in business on the site of the
present village of Essex. The country, at this time, was new, the population small, yet the
sounds of war which for so many years had rang along those shores had died away, and noth-
ing remained to distract attention from the arts of peace. The difficulties which had beset his
immediate predecessors, rendering valueless all their toil, happily did not prevent his enter-
prise from being rewarded with success. His industry secured a competency, his character
commanded respect. This last was manifested by his appointment to the office of chief
judge of the county at its organization in 1779 — an office whose duties he performed to the
satisfaction of the community for three and twenty years.
General Henry H. Ross, was the second son of Judge Daniel Ross, and Elizabeth, the
daughter of William Gilliland, and was born May 9th, 1790. He enjoyed excellent advan-
692 History of Essex County.
tages of education, having been placed at an early age in the best schools of Montreal, after-
wards entering Columbia College, in New York, from which he graduated with honor. Hav-
ing finished his collegiate course, he resolved to enter upon the study of the law, and to this
end, continued in the office of David Ogden, until he was admitted to the bar.
Arrived now at the age of manhood, thoroughly read in the profession he had chosen, he
turned away from the excitements and allurements of the metropolis, to the more congenial
quiet of his native village. It too often happens that the young man at whose feet fortune has
cast her favors, and whom the accident of an inheritance has relieved from the necesstiy of ex-
ertion, fails to develop the higher qualities he possesses, and sinks beneath the very blessings
he enjoys ; but his was a character too strong and solid to be enticed into the stream of idleness,
down which so many, in the morning of their lives, have drifted to oblivion.
General Ross graduated at Columbia College, in 1803, and commenced, in early life, his
military experience, in the Twenty-Seventh Regiment of militia. In the War of 1812, he was
adjutant of that regiment, but at the battle of Plattsburg, was on the staff of General Mc-
Comb, where he did good service in the cause of his country. Continuing in the militia, he
held successively the positions of brigade inspector, colonel, brigadier-general and major-
general. At the same time, as will appear, his advance was rapid in civil life. In his pro-
fession he stood at the head of the bar in Essex county for many years, and was held in esteem
almost reverential by his juniors.
In the conduct of his legal business he was methodical, cautious, laborious. He discount-
enanced, rather than promoted litigation, and in his intercourse with clients, mature delibera-
tion always preceded wise and conscientious counsel. He rarely indulged in rhetoric and
never in ostentatious display. He addressed the understanding of his hearers, instead of ap-
pealing to their passions, and approached whatever subject he had in hand with dignity, self-
possession, and in the light of principle and common sense. Upon all the political issues of his
time he entertained clear and well settled convictions, and was frank and open in expression
of them. His sentiments were emphatically conservative — naturally inclined to adhere to the
established order of things, and not easily drawn into the advocacy of any of the isms of the
day. During most of his life the principles he maintained were not in accordance with those
of the prevailing party ; nevertheless, a man of his mark could not well avoid being frequently
pressed into the political arena, when personal influence and popularitv, it was hoped, might
turn the scale in a doubtful contest. Yet he was no office-seeker, but, on the contrary, a man
whose elevated tone rendered him the reverse of all that constitutes that character. However
gratifying might have been, and no doubt was, the confidence his fellow citizens so often ex-
pressed in his behalf the offices he held and the nominations he received always came entirely
unsolicited.
In 1825-26 he represented his district in Congress. At no period in our history has there
been seen in the national capitol a body of men surpassing in character and ability
that which composed the Nineteenth Congress. Webster and Everett, of Massachusetts;
Taylor and Hasbrouck. of New York ; McLane, of Delaware ; Stevenson, of Virginia ; Mc-
Dufifie, of South Carolina ; Buchanan, of Pennsylvania ; Polk and Houston, of Tennessee ;
Mangum, of North Carolina, where among those who then held seats in the House of Rep-
resentatives— men who have left their impress upon the history of the country. An examina-
tion of the proceedings of that congress, shows that all the great questions attracting the at-
tention of the people at that time : The Panama mission, internal improvements, the judi-
ciary system, the policy in reference to public lands, etc., received his close and careful con-
sideration, and that his opinion in the national council, as in every other position, commanded
the respect of his associates.
In 1828, although urged by many as successor to the Hon. Samuel Jones, in the office of
chancellor of this State, with assurances that he was the preference of the appointing power,
he refused to allow his name to be used in that connection. Indeed, he seemed to possess
Hon. Henry H. Ross. 693
little ambition for public place, his tastes leading him to choose the independence of private
life, and the liberty to follow, unmolested, his private pursuits.
In addition to his strictly legal business, which was always large, the confidence in his judg-
ment and integrity which the community entertained from the beginning, and which, if pos-
sible, increased as he advanced in years, led to his being selected to execute numerous trusts,
and to manage the settlement of estates, to an extent demanding no inconsiderable portion of
his time. He was also for years a director and president of the Steamboat Company, on Lake
Champlain, and, in fact, but few enterprises originated in his vicinity with which he was not
associated or in which his council and influence were not sought. A leading member of the
legal profession, the trusted arbitrator of his neighborhood, an extensive landholder and agri-
culturist, connected with business and business matters, he was one whose relations to society
around him extended to all its interests, the sundering whereof by the hand of death was felt
as a public calamity.
He was the first judge of Essex county under the new constitution, as his father was
under the old, all parties uniting in his unanimous election. The pressure of other duties,
however, compelled him to resign the position before the close of his term.
In 1848 he was one of the electors at large, and president of the Electoral college that
cast the vote of this State for General Taylor. Upon the dissolution of the Whig party he
refused to join that portion of it which united with the Republican organization, and although
never a member of the Know-Nothing order, was nominated by the Americans in the fall
of 1875, to the office of Attorney-General. During the presidential election of i860 he en-
tered warmly into the contest, advocating the claims of Douglass, and was an elector on his
ticket.
General Ross married the daughter of the late Hon. Anthony Blanchard, of Salem, Wash-
ington county. In his intercourse with the world, as we have intimated, he was grave>
courteous and dignified, and it was only in his own house, surrounded by his family and his
guests, that he exhibited those warm, social qualities, that endeared him to all. Very many
will long remember his genial nature and his most generous hospitality.
The unhappy war that afflicted the land, however, at length brought desolation and grief to
his hearth, as it has to so many others, darkening the closing days of his life. The death of his
son, the late Lieutenant William D. Ross, of the Anderson Zouaves, was an affliction that
fell heavily upon him. Added to this, he could see through the gloom and darkness of the
present, but little hope in the future for his distracted country, and seemed to be borne down by
the sorrowful thought that " when his eyes were turned to behold, for the last time, the sun
in heaven, he should see it shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of the Union."
The contemplation of " States dissevered, discordant, belligerent, of a land rent with civil
fueds and drenched in fraternal blood," depressed his buoyant spirits and tinged with melan-
choly the whole current of his thoughts.
His ideas in regard to religion and his firm faith in church doctrines, are well stated in a
letter at one time written to one of his sons in answer to inquires made of him. It was as
follows :
" In one of your letters you seem to express a desire to understand my opinion on questions
of religion. If I should attempt an exposition of those principles it would be very confused.
A few words will suffice.
" First. The scriptures are well authenticated.
" Second. That a church was inaugurated by Christ whose apostles must be credited.
" Third. That the doctrines established by the fathers are the only safe guides.
" Fourth. From which it seems to follow that we have nothing to hold to but the succession,
establishing a church.
" Fifth. That every departure from the original church is without authority and an attempt
to inaugurate fanaticism in the place of reason.
694 History of Essex County.
" Sixth. That the Episcopal church is the true church, as being founded on all the author-
ities to which we have access ; that church being a reformation of the corruptions of the
Romish bishops.
" Seventh. That the sects who dissent from the parent church are misled by supposing
that the spirit descends and works upon the heart. If this be true, it establishes the prin-
ciple that ignorant mortals who differ from each other ought to be credited rather than the Bible,
the traditions of the apostles and the fathers of the church, in short, is a religion founded on
the opinions of ignorant 7nen, and is a substitution of feeling and caprice, in the place of
doctrine, reason and common sense. This is all 1 can say in the compass of a letter. There
is one great lesson: — ' Do unto others as you would they should do unto you,' by which is
meant, to be honest and remember that the means committed to us are intended to enable
each one of us to aid his neighbors, and all within his reach to the reasonable extent of his
abilities. This is the best rule I know of, and is in opposition to the course of those who
make long prayers and prey upon the widow and fatherless. If my opinions are of any value,
I think you may understand them from the few ideas thrown out above."
Subsequent to the death of Mr. Ross, at a meeting of the parish of St. John's church, the
following preamble and resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted :
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His wise providence, to take out of this
world, and from a position of great usefulness, our beloved and venerated friend and brother,
Hon. Henry H. Ross, the founder of the parish, and who, from its foundation until his death,
was the senior warden and its most efficient and liberal supporter ; therefore.
Resolved, That while we bow in humble, uncomplaining submission, to this dispensation
of our Heavenly Father, we can not but express the unfeigned sorrow of our hearts, that we
have lost a firm friend and wise counselor ; the bench and bar one of its brightest ornaments ;
the church, a firm, able, devoted and loyal son ; and his familir, an affectionate, tender and
loving parent.
Resolved, That we are deeply conscious of the great and serious loss sustained by his pro-
fession, in his removal from the scene of his earthly labors. His ready and comprehensive
grasp of subject ; his accurate and solid learning ; his spotless integrity; the impartiality and
firmness of his judgment, all contributed to raise him to that high position which he so ably
filled, and in which he commanded such universal respect.
Resolved, That as a slight testimonial of our appreciation of the worth of our departed
brother, and of his devotion to the cause of the church, in providing for us a chapel, in which
to worship God ; the parish shall cause to be erected in the said chapel, a suitable tablet to
his memory.
Resolved, That our sincerest and deepest sympathies be herewith tendered to the bereaved
family, and we pray that " The God of the widow and the fatherless" will be their stay and
comfort in their deep affliction.
Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be sent to the family of
the deceased, and also that copies be transmitted to the Church Journal, 'the Albany Atlas
<S-» Argus, and the Elizabethtown Post, for publication.
On Saturday, September 14th, 1862, General Ross passed from earth, and on the 17th of
the same month his remains were deposited in the family \ault at Essex. The funeral service
was conducted by the Rev. Joseph H. Coit, of Plattsburgh, who also pronounced an impres-
sive and eloquent discourse upon the virtues and character of the deceased. A large con-
course of citizens from the neighboring villages, assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to
one who had exhibited to them for so many years, the model of an upright and honorable life.
Of his descendants now living, his youngest son, Anthony J. B. Ross, and his daughters,
Ellen B. Fairbanks and Frances J. Ross, now reside in the old Ross mansion, built by General
Ross, in 1822, "Hickory Hill," in the village of Essex. His former law office, built'jby him
about 1 814, is now occupied by his son, Anthony. His great-grandson, James H. H. Ross,
Henry Howard Ross. 695
grandson of James B. Ross, also now resides in Essex village, with his mother, widow of
Henry H. Ross, of whom a sketch is elsewhere given. Of his other descendants, William D.
Ross, eldest son, was killed in the late war, in October, 1861. James B. Ross, second son,
now a lawyer in Denver, Colorado ; has two daughters living with him, both unmarried.
Frederick H. Ross, third son, a merchant living at Dowagiac, Michigan ; has a wife and two
daughters living with him, both unmarried. John Ross, fourth son, is a member of the firm,
the " Plattsburg Dock Company," residing at Plattsburg, N. Y.; has a wife and six daughters,
all unmarried. Susannah Cooper, wife of Rev. Edmund Cooper, D. D., an Episcopal clergy-
man and Rector of the Church of the Redeemer, at Astoria, N. Y.
HENRY HOWARD ROSS.
THE subject of this sketch was a son of James B. Ross, now of Denver, Col., and grandson
of General H. H. Ross, a sketch of whose life appears in these pages. He was born in
the city of Detroit, Mich., on the 9th day of May, 1857, but his early life was spent in his
father's native town, Essex, N. Y. His opportunities for acquiring an education were ample
and judiciously improved. Arriving at a proper age, he was sent to the Jesuit College, of
Montreal, and subsequently to Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y. Failing health, the first ad-
monitory symptoms of the dread disease that was ultimately to cut him off, almost at the
beginning of his career, forced him to leave the college before graduation. After a period
spent in out-door life in the far west, he adopted the profession of the law, in which his father
is conspicuous. He entered his father's office, in Essex, and finally completed his studies in
the office of Symes & Foote, of Denver, Col. His removal to that city was prompted, to a
great extent, by the continued advance of the alarming affection of the lungs. He was admit-
ted to the bar of Colorado in the summer of 1881, and to practice in the Supreme Court of
that State, in April, 1882. A few months previous to his admission, July, 1881, he was mar-
ried to Anna Laura Noble, daughter of Harmon Noble, of Essex, N, Y., a young lady of ex-
cellent .attainments and unusual personal attractions. Until the month of May following
their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ross resided in Denver, when they returned to Essex.
In the fall of 1882, they returned to Denver, grave apprehensions still being felt by all
friends of Mr. Ross, on account of his precarious health. They were accompanied to their
western home by Mr. James Ross and daughter. A beautiful home was selected and pur-
chased in the thriving western city, and a law office opened by father and son. Here, surrounded
by almost everything that goes to make the future bright and promising, the young man and
wife began their married life.
But the destroyer had not been idle, and a few days before his death, while speaking with
a friend at the entrance of his office, he was seized with a hemorrhage of the lungs (a return
of his former ailment), and on the 14th of December he breathed his last. Just before his
death, his son, born but a few hours before, was brought to him for the first and last kiss and
to receive the name he bears. Such a death under such circumstances is inexpressibly sad,
and words cannot add to its impressiveness.
Henry Howard Ross was a young man of estimable personal qualities, genial and noble-
souled in disposition and temperament, with inborn unflinching integrity, steadfast to his
friends under all circumstances, and forgiving to any who might do him injustice ; social and
manly among his young friends, he was also gifted with qualities which rendered his companion-
ship welcome to older circles, and his acquaintances of all classes and in all places soon
ripened into the warmest friends. For years in the quiet village where he lived he was the
life of the community ; his strong hand was ever ready to join in any undertaking of pleasure
or duty, and his open heart and generous disposition prompted his co-operation in all of the
public gatherings and objects of the place. Eloquent in speech and captivating in manner
and address, with native talent for above the commonplace, his presence was often sought
696 History of Essex County.
to enliven and render more successful various occasions where he lived. It will not be
wondered at that his death caused a feeling of sincere and wide-spread sorrow wherever he
was known.
HON. PALMER E. HAVENS.
THE Hon. Palmer E. Havens was born in the town of Moriah, Essex county, Novem-
ber 24th. 1818. He was the son of Deacon John Havens, a Baptist of the Roger
Williams type and noted for his great devotion to his church and for his high integrity of
character as a citizen and Christian, but was of such limited means that he could only give
his children a common school education, which was all his son possessed when at the age of
sixteen he commenced teaching district schools himself, and pursued that occupation during
several years in the winter months. His father died in 1836, when it became the lot of his
son to carry on the little farm on which the family resided, and by his industry upon the farm
and teaching school winters he supported his widowed mother and younger children, until in
the fall of 1839 he went to Essex and again engaged in teaching school the coming winter.
In 1840 he entered the law office of the late General Henry H. Ross as a student at law. He
was soon after admitted to the county court, and in that and the justice's court commenced
an active practice in his profession, and in 1847 was admitted to the bar of the supreme court
at Plattsburg, in the county of Clinton, and became a very active practitioner in all the courts
of the State.
In 1 841 he married Betsey E. Putnam, the daughter of Hiram Putnam, a well-to-do
farmer in Essex, and settled in Essex village, where he has since resided.
The union was blessed with two children — Charles A. Havens, born 1842, who settled in
Chicago and is now one of the leading musicians and organists in that city ; and a daughter,
Ellen M. Havens, born in 1844 ; married Augustus C. Sheldon and settled in Missouri, where
she died in 1873. His wife died in March, 1872, and in February, 1873, he married Jane M.
Ismon, widow of the late Henry D. Edwards, of Essex, with whom his life has continued in
happiness and prosperity.
His professional skill and great activity gave him much success in business, and though at
the time he left his native town for Essex he had not a dollar at his command, but was
obliged to borrow money sufficient to pay his fare on the steamboat to Essex, he soon
became able to purchase a home in Essex village for his family and entered upon a life
of almost uninterrupted prosperity, not only in his profession, but in every enterprise in
which he engaged, often honored with the different town offices by the citizens, and in 1861
he was elected as Member of Assembly from his county, largely leading his ticket in ever)'
town, and in his own town, though then strongly Democratic, receiving an almost unanimous
vote, there being only twenty-one votes cast for his Democratic opponent.
Mr. Havens soon took a high rank in the Assembly, and his speeches upon the great
and exciting questions of the day, which at that time so stirred the hearts of the people,
soon gave him a high place as a legislator and a firm, eloquent and fearless supporter of the
Union cause.
Mr. Havens was honored with a re-election to the Assembly, and in the fall of 1863 was
elected to a seat in the State Senate from the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of
Essex. Warren and Clinton, and at the termination of his two years in the Senate retired
from political life, declining further nominations.
But in the fall of 1866 a committee of his party waited upon him at Essex and requested
him to accept another nomination to the Assembly, with a view to utilize the great influence
he had gained in the Legislature in carrying through measures deemed of great importance to
both Essex and Clinton. Mr. Havens, through the persuasion of his friends, consented to
the nomination on one condition— that the same should be unanimously supported by his party.
His party took him at his word and every vote in the Republican convention was cast for
Hon. Palmer E. Havens. 697
this his last nomination ; in fact, all his previous nominations to the Assembly and Senate,
" except the first to the Assembly in 1861," had been unanimously given him by his party,
and he was elected this last time by a largely increased vote.
His speech made on national questions in the Assembly in 1867 was thought by many to
be the best he ever made during his term in the Legislature.
This great speech was devoted largely to the proposed constitutional amendment abolish-
ing and prohibiting slavery and the re-construction of the South, and its sound statesman-like
arguments and enunciation of the great principles upon which our government was founded,
as by the lapse of twenty years and the events which have since transpired in our country,
renders it of historic interest, and is so illustrative of the life and character of this citizen of
Essex county, that a few extracts therefrom, taken from a printed pamphlet published at that
time are considered appropriate to this sketch.
The speech opens as follows :---
•• Errors in Original Construction Caused the War for Disunion. — The Congress
of 1776 prepared. the timber for the framework of this free government.
"The convention of 1787 undertook the mighty task in political architecture of erecting
from that timber the great American republic— the E PluribusUnum of the western continent.
" The wise and skillful architects chosen by the people to perform the great work, found
among the material furnished them, timber which showed signs of being spalt, worm-eaten
and rotten at heart, and at first hesitated to blemish and weaken the national fabric by allow-
ing such material in its structure ; but, with the hope and expectation that before its strength
should be seriously tested, repairs would be made, curing the acknowledged defects, they
yielded to what then seemed a necessity, and by so doing exposed the whole superstructure
to become a pile of ruins as soon as the first storm of civil strife and popular fury should
burst against its walls.
" We should ever cherish the memory of the founders of our Government with profound
reverence, and not look uncharitably upon their noble efforts to lay broad and deep the foun-
dations of civil and religious liberty ; but the history of our young nation in its development
thus far, furnishes ample proof that, in thus tolerating an evil which sought protection at their
hands, and admitting into our free constitution an element of despotism, under the plea of
necessity and the hope of speedy removal, they made a mistake which cost their children
rivers of blood and billions of treasure !
" Although most of the pillars of the great fabric which they reared stand firm, the long
gathering storm, surcharged with the conflicting elements of popular fury, and the jarring,
warring strife of antagonistic principles resulting from this great mistake, burst upon its dome
ere the grass was scarcely green on the graves of its founders, and made most fearful rents
and breaches, now awaiting reconstruction and repairs.
"Grief and sorrow over the ruins of our shattered national fabric are, however, greatly alle-
viated, if not fully driven from our hearts, by the consoling reflection that the great curse and
crime of the age exists no more.
"Epitaph of Slavery. — Slavery was the most damning stain that ever blotted the fair
escutcheon of a free government. It was a hideous excrescence — a fawning, leeching cor-
rupting parasite, which fastened upon and drew its nourishment from the very vitals of the
government.
" Like the poisonous Upas, its breath infected everything with which it came in contact.
" It gained a rank and fulsome growth within the halls of legislation, and gave direction to
our national policy — moulding and shaping our laws in the interest of a most absolute and
shameless despotism.
" The most commanding talents of our statesmen were subsidized by its omnipotent power
and basely prostituted to foster and protect an incubus that was ever crushing out. with
mountain weight, the noblest and most generous impulses of the human soul.
698 History of Essex County.
" It polluted the fountain of justice — it coiled its slimy length upon the judges' bench and
our courts, established to protect the weak against the strong, symboled with scales of even
hand, serpent-like, hissed forth decrees and judgments, invoking deep and damning infamy
upon the heads of, their authors, and shaking the confidence of all mankind in the integrity
of human tribunals. It spared not the sacred desk from its unhallowed influence ; and if its
occupant, prompted by that love which the glorious gospel inspires, and with lips anointed
with fire from off the altar of the living God, desired to speak in behalf of the down-trodden
and the oppressed, for whom as well as others the Son of God had shed his blood, its infernal
mandates and damp breath quenched the kindling flame of love and smothered to extinction
the Heaven-born impulses of the heart.
" Its arrogance kept pace with its growth, and although at first it only craved permission
to live in the Republic, it soon declared war against everything that opposed or thwarted its
purposes, and demanded that nothing should survive that did not bow to its imperious will,
thrusting its deadly fangs into the benefactor that warmed it into life.
" At last, in its desperation it sprang for the throat of the nation, and in the fearful strug-
gle which ensued, the shafts of death were sent to the monster's heart, and it fell to the
earth, the victim of its own madness, and its putrid carcass draped in the winding sheet of its
own unutterable wickedness, still emits its poisonous stench over the land on which it grew ;
and the remarks I have thus made to its memory I desire inscribed as an epitaph over its
eternal grave of infamy — a grave over which, under the blessing of God, we will reconstruct
a free government — a government which shall have the soul as well as the name of freedom.
" The Work of Reconstruction — Its Magnitude. — This great work of repairing the
breaches and reconstructing the Government fell upon the 39th Congress.
" The magnitude of the work is little less than that of original construction.
" Ten of the columnar supports of our political edifice are now lying around us like the
giant columns of Tadmor and Palmyra, with shaft and capital and architrave alike shattered
by the mighty convulsion that has laid them in ruins.
" The great problem in political architecture, now demanding solution, is, how shall we
reconstruct and reunite these dissevered fragments, remove the rotten and condemned mate-
rials so unfortunately admitted in the original construction, and rear again to their places, and
cover over with ivy the towers that have been rent from turret to foundation }
"What are to be the process and conditions on which the great criminals with whom we
have to deal, are to be readmitted to the enjoyment of the privileges they have rejected and
despised, and received again into the fellowship of the men they hated and the confidence and
honor of the government they only failed to destroy, because it proved too strong for their
deep-laid plots and unparalleled treachery ?
" How far are these baffled and vanquished parricides to be trusted again, since the power
of resistance has been taken from them — after the experience we have had and the bloody
lesson they ha\e taught us, and what safeguards are required to prevent in the future the evils
of the past .'
" The solution of these great questions may well embarrass the profoundest statesmen our
nation affords, and demands the collective wisdom of them all.
" The war itself, with all its magnitude and stupendous operations, was nothing in com-
parson with this great work of reconstruction.
•' Our national Congress, with the same patriotic devotion and zeal which marked its efforts
throughout the struggle of the war, undertook the great work before them, and grappled man-
fully with the many difficulties which arose in this new and untried field of legislation.
" In its efforts to prepare the way for reconstruction, it soon found itself most bitterly
opposed by the reckless, bigoted man, who had found his way to the executive chair through
the crime which robbed the nation of its chosen chief.
" Proposed Constitutional Amend?nent — Citizenship. — The proposed constitutional
Hon. Palmer E. Havens. 699
amendment under consideration, has probably elicited more examination and discussion in the
nation, than any measure that ever before occupied the public attention.
" It was promulgated as the platform of the great Union party, and as the basis of recon-
struction to be tendered to the rebels, and its discussion has done more to stimulate the
American mind to an examination of the principles upon which our government is founded,
and which should guide our action in the present great national crisis, than that of any other
public measure since the government was founded.
" The principles involved in the proposed amendment will still bear discussion, and will
"hereafter as heretofore, work out their own triumph with the people, and sooner or later the
rebels themselves, tired of combating truth and opposing the progress of the age, and yield-
ing to the genial reformatory influence of an advancing and more general civilization ; a more
•enlightened humanity will, 1 most earnestly hope, accept and adopt those principles, and unite
with the friends of human progress in placing our whole country upon the great highway of
national prosperity.
" The first section of the proposed amendment establishes and guarantees the right of
citizenship and equal protection of the laws throughout the nation, and in every State and
territory thereof
" Will it be said there is no need of a declaratory provision of this character in the
constitution .'
"I grant that, by an enlightened and liberal construction of the constitution as it is, the
Tights of citizenship and the equal protection of the laws in all the States would be maintained
and upheld, but through the caviling of courts, subsidized in the interest of a slave aristoc-
racy, and the uttei disregard of constitutional obligations, there has never been a time since
the organization of our government to the present moment when these constitutional rights
and privileges have been enjoyed in the Southern States of the Union.
" The man who dared to avail himself of the right of free speech — so highly valued by
American citizens — and gave utterance to such thoughts and sentiments as are inspired by
hatred of oppression and a love of freedom, who dared to advocate the great principles of
■equal rights set forth in the Declaration of Independence, or even to proclaim the doctrines
-contained in Christ's Sermon on the Mount, was almost sure to be lynched and driven from
the State with violence, and, perhaps, treated to a coat of tar and feathers.
" Instead of meeting and combating truth upon the high ground of reason and argument,
the bludgeon, the bowie-knife and other like slave-born arguments were resorted to, in utter
violation of the rights guaranteed to each citizen of the nation in each and every of the States.
" Who has forgotten the action of South Carolina in 1835, providing by her public statutes
that the free colored citizens of other States who entered her ports, should immediately be
imprisoned and held in confinement till ready to pay their jail fees and leave the State, and in
■default of this to be sold into hopeless slavery ?
" Massachusetts sought protection from this outrage by an appeal to the constitution and
the law, and sent one of her ablest lawyers to Charleston to institute proceedings for redress
in the high courts of the nation.
" Instead of meeting this action on the part of Massachusetts, in the true spirit of our
■constitution and submitting the question to an honorable and peaceable adjudication in the
courts, the very officers and authorities of the State in high dudgeon, raised a mob and forci-
bly ejected the honored representative of Massachusetts from their borders, and continued
their shameless violations of the rights of the citizens of other States.
" Twenty-two years later in our histor)', slavery had gained so great a power in the nation,
through the yielding, compromising action of the North, and had become so arrogant and
•domineering in its barbarous claims and exactions, that it even ventured to enter the highest
tribunal of the nation and demand an adjudication, that under our constitution the colored
man had no rights whatever which a white man was bound to respect.
700 History of Essex County.
" Humiliating as is the confession, the demands of slaverj' were granted, and the mons-
trous spectacle was presented to the world of the highest court of a civilized nation, claiming-
to be founded on the eternal principles of justice and equal rights, solemnly adjudicating that
a colored man, though born and bred in our own land, was not a citizen thereof, and had no-
right to sue in our courts, even to regain his liberty wrongfully taken from him, that this was
purely a luhite man s goveriDiient, and all who had a sprinkling of African blood in their
veins could claim no protection to their rights under its constitution and its laws.
"This iniquitous decision, not content to pander to the local demands and interests of
slavery, also sought to nationalize the institution, strike down the rights of free colored citizens-
of the North, and by a judicial construction, alike repugnant to the laws of God and human-
ity, and the spirit of our free government, to spread the damning curse of slavery over the free-
soil of the North.
"That decision yet stands unrepealed upon the records of the nation, sinking the names-
of its authors so deep in infamy as to place them forever beyond the hope of a resurrection.
" Shall we not purge the nation from this foul stain, by so amending the constitution of
freedom, as to put it forever beyond the reach of such false construction — such horrid per-
version }
" Sir, this noble Government of ours was made for all men and all classes of men.
" Its crowning glory is that none are so high or powerful that they can deny its obligation,
and none so low, weak and humble that its protection cannot reach them. Its great strength
lies in the universality of its principles and its most alarming danger in efforts to restrict,,
narrow and confine those principles in their application.
" From whence came this idea that this is a white man's government .' Its founders did
not thus establish it.
" They laid broad and deep its foundations upon the inalienable rights of man ; not white-
men, or black men, but all men, and it was the ignoring of this great truth, and denying the
application of this principle to black men, which finally wrapped our country in the flames of
civil war and deluged the land in blood.
"Sir, I summon to this issue every battle-field with its carnage of blood, every soldier V-
grave and the survi\ing widow and orphans, and the army of mutilated heroes around us, to-
show that it is the declaration of Omnipotence that the colored man has rights that the
Government is bound to protect.
" That man is dim-sighted, indeed, who cannot see in the great war through which we
have passed the Hand of an overruling Providence, chastising the nation for the sins and
wrongs which have so long cried to Heaven for redress.
" All the arguments that could be drawn from heaven, earth and hell, enforced with the
highest power of reason and eloquence, were futile and powerless to reach the heart of the
Southern slaveholder, and the men who sustained him at the North.
" The influence of the great sin to which they clung, seemed to steel their hearts and con-
sciences against the light of reason and revelation, and the claims of suffering humanity ; but
that mysterious Providence, whose ways are past finding out, sent his chastising angel to-
purge and purify the nation in the flames of civil war.
" Shall we invoke further chastisement to our stricken land, before we, in deep humility,
repent and put away from us as a nation the least and last remains of oppression and injustice
to the colored man.
" We all desire relief from the great trouble which he brings upon our nation, whether as
slave or freedman.
" We are all sick at heart of this trouble, and feel most keenly the correcting stripes so-
heavily laid upon us.
" Do you ask when it will end ?
" I answer : When you have given the colored man equal rights, privileges and security
with other citizens ; when you have opened the way for him to be a man.
Hon. Palmer E. Havens. 701
" Then, and not till then, you will have clone that exact justice which will appease the
wrath of Heaven, turn aside the avenging strokes, and insure stability, contentment and peace
in all our borders.
" Shall we, then, longer tolerate the odious sentiment so foisted upon the nation by a slave-
corrupted court, that this is a government where the white man only can enjoy protection to
•civil rights ?
" Have we so soon forgotten the scenes of the great war ; and shall we tempt the Almight)'
to put us again in the furnace of affliction, till purged from such ingratitude, such rank
injustice ?
" When the drain of Northern blood had become so great as to induce our Government,
in its extremity, to accept the colored man to fill the shattered ranks of our army, did you ask
him to enlist in the service to defend the white man's Government }
" When near two hundred thousand of them flocked to your standard, and shared with
the white soldier in the toils of the march through mud, rain and snow till falling from the
ranks with exhaustion, did you revive their drooping spirits with the encouraging assurance
that this is the white man's government ?
" When, through the cold and stormy night, they stood faithful sentinels around your
camps to guard your armies from surprise, did you cheer their hearts and warm their congeal-
ing blood with an infusion from the altar of liberty, erected exclusively for the white man to
enjoy ?
" When news of the horrid massacre of Fort Pillow flashed over the wires and shocked
the nerves of all Christendom with its hellish, unprovoked atrocity toward the colored race,
did you tell them they must suffer this sacrifice to the demon of slavery, to prevent the over-
throw of a white man's government ?
" When, faithful to your orders, they made the deadly charge upon the enemy's guns, and
the exploding shells sent their mangled bodies and dissevered limbs in every direction, cover-
ing glacis, ditch and scarp, in the wildest havoc of human life, did you inform them that such
bravery would be rewarded with a glorious triumph to the white man's government ?
" And in that awful conflict at Fort Wagner, did you follow in the track of the Massachu-
setts Fifty-fourth, as they led the charge in the darkness of night, guided only by the flashing,
roaring guns of the enemy, from which they received unflinchingly in their bosoms the missiles
of death, that covered the earth with heaps of slain, and when the contest was over did you
whisper in their ears the words of comfort and consolation that all this was suffered to defend
the white man's government ?
" No, sir ; you did not then practice such solemn mockery — such shameless ingratitude.
You beckoned them on by the guerdon of freedom, the blessings of an equal government and
the elevation of their race to the rights of citizenship.
" Sir, the obligations thus contracted must be discharged, unless the nation shall again
court the vengeance of a God of Justice and invoke further vials of wrath to be poured out
upon our afflicted land.
" Suffrage to the Colored Race. — Shall the slave-lord, who held his vassal in darkness,
lest a spark should fall upon his intellect and kindle a fire that would melt off his chains, be
allowed thus to turn his own inexpirable guilt into an obstacle in the way of freedom to his
victim, and demand to hold him longer in slavery, to await the process of education .'
" Thank Heaven, the love of liberty may take root and grow in the human heart without
the discipline of mental culture in the schools.
" It is but the fear of this innate love of liberty in man, and that the natural struggles of
humanity, aided only by the dim light which might reach the dark mmd of the slave, would
result in making him a freeman, upon which the whole infernal code of black laws is founded.
" The very effort to exclude all light from the mind of the colored man, is a pregnant con-
fession that he is gifted with intellect and powers of mind that might be awakened into action,
■dangerous to slavery, and cultivated for the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.
702 History of Essex County.
" It is perhaps too late in this nation to raise the question whether the ignorance of the
inferior classes, imported from abroad or raised at home, should disqualify for the enjoyment
of the elective franchise.
' It seems to have been settled that the right of self-government cannot be justly made to-
depend on the measure of the education and intelligence of the voter. I am not disposed on
this occasion to question this policy in a free government. Indeed, it is most powerfully sup-
ported by the two great leading truths, that the love of liberty is Heaven-born, and that the
right to vote is the best educator of the freeman.
"But if this doctrine is to be unsettled, and k different policy pursued, I demand upoi>
those principles of justice and equality, now fully vindicated and established by the war, that
there shall be no partiality, no discrimination on account of race or color, and I will never by
my voice or vote consent that one rule shall be applied to the imported Celt, and another to-
the home-bred African.
" The right of freedom is not, and never can be based upon race or color, but is the com-
mon inheritance of humanity.
" In the arrangements of God's providence, there are no aristocracies, save that which
arises from moral worth and intellectual merit — qualities which are not transmissible by
descent — nor the appanage of any particular class or race of men. The question is not
whether the negro race is equal to the white, or whether the negro race is equal to another,
or that all are equally qualified for self-government, but all should equally enjoy the Heaven-
born gift of freedom, with those rights and privileges, without which it cannot exist.
" If, however, you should drive me to a choice of races for the elective franchise, I would,
upon the evidence of the past few years, take the black man, instead of tlie equally ignorant
white, who has become so sadly debauched and corrupted as to even love slavery, who allows
the instincts of his better nature to be smothered, and who yields his conscience to the
dominion of that policy, that would lock the treasures of knowledge and the light of revela-
tion from Jthe mind of his dusky neighbor, to hold him more securely in the fetters of slavery.
" Sir, this morbid apprehension of what is called negro equality, comes from a class of
men in the south and those who sympathize with them in the north, whose real fear is that of
negro superiority.
" They fear that with the qualities developed by the war, and armed with the ballot, the
negro might possibly arise to a superiority over themselves.
"Sir, if there is really such alarming danger in this direction, that it cannot be overcome
by the superior talents and training of the white man, then indeed both the ability and right
of the negro to command is established by the highest possible test, and the negro has won
the prize by the only standard which an enlightened civilization should establish — the stand-
ard of intellectual worth, of mental superiority.
" But in this struggle for superiority between the races, what will become of the man of
mi.xed blood .'
" If the smallest proportion of negro blood, the slightest crisp of the hair, shall deprive
our unfortunate hybrid cousin from all voice in the government, then, of course, the features
and flush of the Caucasian upon the other side should prove equally fatal to political rights.
" The records of history teach us that one distinction is as likely to prevail as the other.
" Sir, I fear no evil results in extending the rights of suffrage to the colored population of
the South. The legitimate result will be, that both political parties will seek the confidence
of the black man, and that party which goes farthest in its kindly efforts to secure his interest
will receive his vote. He will be courted and respected by his late master, for the simple
reason that he has become a repository of political power in the State.
" Arm him with the ballot, and the poor, ' white trash,' who spurned and despised him
because he was a slave, will now respect him because he is a sovereign.
" The surest means of educating and elevating him to useful citizenship, is to make him
interested in the government.
Hon. Palmer E. Havens. 703
" The objection raised by the executive, and those who support his policy, that we have no
power under the constitution to legislate upon this question of suffrage, comes with a strange
and glaring inconsistency from a man who has himself so often exercised the same power
under the Government.
" Has he not repeatedly, in dealing with these rebel States, and in his effects to carry out
his one-man policy of reconstruction, assumed to define the qualifications of voters? If he
had power and jurisdiction over this question at all, could he not have conferred suffrage upon
the black as well as the white man ? And if the executive had power to do all this, shall he
be allowed to question the constitutional right of the law-making power of the nation, in
which its true sovereignty resides to do the same thing }
" Sir, I hold that we are dealing with these rebel States as criminals at the bar of the
nation, and have the right, by our very sovereignty, to prescribe any and all terms and condi-
tions, which the future .safety and peace of the nation may seem to require, before we extend
absolution to the culprits and allow them back to seats of power.
" They abandoned their seats in Congress and plunged into crime to found a slave empire.
" Defeated and conquered by the Government, they now desire to be forgiven and rein-
stated ; and if, as a government, we have not the power to dictate the terms upon which they
may return, then our Government itself is a farce and a failure.
" Sir, I hope to see the day v/hen the vision of the North will be so purged by the rising
beams of universal liberty that it will see and acknowledge the justice of this measure, and
use the power and right which it possesses to enforce it.
" Again, sir, I maintain that the peace and safety of our nation demands that suffrage
should be extended to the negro race. To attempt to hold four millions of people in sub-
ordination to a superior race, taxing their property and exacting from them the duties of sub-
jects without giving them any voice or representation in the Government, would sooner or
later involve the nation in internecine strife and civil war. Even the despised African race,
having tasted liberty, would not long consent to be thus cheated with its shadow, and con-
tentedly submit to a condition of substantial slavery to a dominant race.
" Ground to the earth and kept in ignorance and degradation by black laws, enacted by
Southern aristocrats, the seeds of rebellion against such unholy and unjust treatment would
sooner or later germinate in their ranks, and the upheavings of revolution would, perhaps too
late, warn the nation that it had, by its own wrong, invoked the bloody scenes of St. Domingo
to be re-enacted within its borders, and the so much dreaded war of races would be upon us
in all its wrangling violence and fury.
" Sir, this is no wild chimera, no fanatical delusion.
" History will not have repeated itself, unless the instinctive yearnings of humanity do not,
sooner or later, drive the colored race to resist the tyranny of their oppressors, and involve
them in savage horrors, before which their own revolt will pale.
" Shall such a scene be necessary to finish the great work of liberation ?
" Sir, I hope the nation will not make this great mistake. It cannot afford to take the
hazard. Its safest course, now, is to do exact justice to this long-oppressed race. It can be
made the balance wheel of safety between the North and the South ; and in any future strug-
gle to preserve the integrity of our Goverment and its free institutions, the same instincts,
motives and desires which induced the negro to use the bayonet in our defense, will control
his action, and induce him to cast his ballot on the side of liberty and union.
" I hold, also, that the honor of our nation before the world is involved in this question.
'• We boast our deeds, and take much credit to ourselves for Uberating four millions of
slaves, where no clearer proposition can be made than that the freedom given is merely nomi-
nal, unless the ballot is also given for its protection.
" Without arming the freedman with the ballot for his defense, you hand him over to the
tender mercy of your worst enemy, who, unable to wreak his baffled vengeance upon you.
704 History of Essex County.
longs to pay the debt he owes you by visiting his impotent maUce upon the humble instrument
of your triumphs, and proving to the vi'orld the truth of what he has so often asserted, that
you have only made his condition worse by elevating him to freedom.
" The rebel slave-lord is quite willing to recognize the results of the war in the nominal
emancipation of the slave, if you will leave him subject to his authority, without the rights of
citizenship and without any security for the practical enjoyment of the liberty you have
given him.
" Such a gift of freedom is but a cheat and a delusion ; like the Dead Sea fruit, it ' tempts
the eye, but turns to ashes on the lips.'
" Shall the nation thus dishonor itself by ' keeping its promise to the ear, and breaking it
to the hope ?' Will you be guilty of the refined cruelty of creating such hopes only to dis-
appoint them ?
" It would have been far better to have left the miserable victim of your guile under the
bondage in which you found him, resting in the contentment of ignorance and hopeless
despair, and dreaming of no change, than thus to lift him from the earth, only to dash him
down again under the feet of his oppressor ; and far better would it have been for the honor
which you boast among the nations of the earth.
" As the case now stands, the finger of scorn will be pointed at the government capable
of the meanness of turning its back upon its benefactor, who sprang to its relief in the hour
of its most extreme peril.
" I have dwelt thus long upon this question of negro suffrage, for the reason that it
received but little attention in the recent political campaign.
" I would adopt this amendment as it is, thankful that so much progress has been made in
the cause of freedom and justice ; but feeling, as I do, that it falls sadly short of doing our
whole duty as a nation, I could not forbear the expression of my views upon what I regard
the most important question now agitating the public mind — a question which I believe
should have been forever settled at this time and in this same amendment of our constitution.
" I rejoice that this doctrine of universal, impartial suffrage has been established in the
capital of our nation, and will soon be spread over its territories by the law-making power.
" The black pall of slavery with the last relic of barbarism which it shielded, is forever
expunged and driven from the sacred soil, where annually gather the representatives of a free
nation to make the laws and carry out the will of thirty millions of people.
" The fallen, back-slidden President finds himself unable to block the wheels of progress ;
and the car of freedom, propelled by the voice and power of a mighty people, will continue to
move forward in spite of all opposition until it carries universal suffrage over ever)- foot of
Columbia's soil.
" I shall touch but briefly upon the remaining features of the proposed amendment."
The closing sentences of this speech are as follows : —
" Sir, I need not dwell longer upon such scenes as this in proof that rebellion is still
rampant in the South, and that these traitors are still unfit to be trusted with a return to
power in the halls of legislation without the safeguards we demand in this amendment. If
they will not accept the terms thus proposed, and submit to reconstruction upon their liberal
basis, then I hold it to be the duty of the general government to interpose its own strong arm
and reconstruct the rebel States upon the principles we fought to establish, proclaiming
universal suffrage to all loyal men, white or black, and disfranchising eveiy unrepentant
rebel found within their borders.
" Believing, sir, that the same Almighty hand which guided us safely through the terrible
war will continue to overrule the transpiring events for the ultimate good of our beloved
countr)', and bring us out of all our conflicts a united, free and happy people, prospering under
allegiance to those eternal principles of liberty, justice and equality which emanate from his
William E. Calkins.
William E. Calkins. 705
own righteous throne, I yield the floor, with many thanks for your kindness in listening to my
views so much at length."
Mr. Millspaugh — " Mr. Chairman, I desire to ask the gentleman from Essex one question.
If the rebels should accept and adopt the proposed constitutional amendment as the basis
of reconstruction, would the gentleman from Essex vote to immediately admit them to repre-
sentation in the government .' "
Mr. Havens — " I will answer the gentleman squarely upon that point. I do not hold that
the day of grace is yet passed for the rebels to accept the terms tendered them in this amend-
ment ; but — "
Mr. Millspaugh — " Would the gentleman now — to-day — \-ote to receive back the rebels
if this amendment were adopted? "
Mr. Havens — "I would — but I would give them no guarantee how long these hberal
terms would be held open under their refusal to accept. I would say to them, that now is
their day of salvation, and still invite them to come back ; but if they continue to spurn the
overtures thus made, I would reconstruct them in the manner I have before stated. I would,
if need be, enter their territory, backed by the power of the nation, and with a different class
of arguments and more effective measures administer to them far different terms of recon-
struction than those contained in this amendment."
As Mr. Havens turned to his Democratic questioner and in a defiant ringing tone gave the
above magnificent answer and took his seat, he was greeted with a burst of applause from the
crowded galleries and on the floor of the house.
Mr. Havens made many other speeches in the Legislature upon the exciting questions of
that day, many of which are thought to be fully equal to that from which the above extracts
were taken, and it is but just to Mr. Havens in this historic sketch to allude to his speech in
review of Governor Seymour's message made soon after he took his seat in the Senate in 1864.
The Governor's message was considered by Mr. Havens and others as leaning towards
secession sentiments and questioning the vigorous war measures adopted by the Government
for putting down the Rebellion.
This speech was so much admired by his Republican friends that the Republican State
Committee published forty thousand copies of the same for distribution throughout the State.
After Mr. Havens retired from his more active political life he resumed his practice of the
law, spending a large portion of his time in the Federal courts in the larger cities of the
Union, until in 1879, at the urgent request of his townsmen, he became the president of a
manufacturing company located in Essex, involving his retirement to a great extent from the
labor of his profession, which position he still holds, honored and respected by all who know
him, enjoying the health and strength of middle life, and the many blessings afforded by the
competence he has gained.
WILLIAM E. CALKINS.
WILLIAM E. CALKINS was born in Buriington, Vt., December 23d, 1816, but has re-
sided in Essex county since 1830. His father, William Calkins, was born in Canaan, N. H.,
in 1791, and was a lineal descendant of Hugh and Annie Calkins (Welsh-English), who came
from Monmouth county, England, and landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1740. He was educated
at Randolph, Vt., and Dartmouth College, N. H., and was a teacher twenty-five years or
more, in Burlington, Waterbury and Stowe, Vt.; Whitehall and Ticonderoga, N. Y., to which
last place he removed in 1830; was admitted to the bar in 1835, his diploma being signed
by Chief Justice John Savage ; practiced law up to about the time of his death, in 1855, aged
sixty-four years ; he took an active part in official, educational and religious aff'airs, and is re-
membered as a man of sterling integrity, genuine Christian feeling and high moral worth.
His mother, Rosalinda Craig, was born in Windsor, Vt., of Scotch-English descent ; her
father Thomas Craig, emigrated from Scotland, settled in Massachusetts, married Elizabeth
45
7o6 History of Essex County.
Allen, daughter of Joseph Allen, of Northampton, Mass., and a sister of Rev. Thomas Allen-
who was pastor of the Congregational Church, at Pittsfield, Mass., from 1764, to his death, in
1810 ; he was chaplain of the Provincial troops, at White Plains (1776) with General Lincoln,
and again at Ticonderoga, in 1777; "he manifested strong attachment to the principles of
our free government, love of country, benevolence, charity and zeal for the temporal and
eternal welfare of his fellow men," as the inscription on his monument at Pittsfield, Mass.,
recites. She died suddenly, at the advanced age of about ninety-one years. May ist, 1875,
which fact was announced by telegram to the subject of this sketch, then in the Legislature,
at Albany, requiring him to leave Albany, "out of session ;" he desired his co-member and
friend, Hon. Thomas G. Alvord, to ask leave of 'absence for him, which, on the next
assembling, he did, in the following feeling and truthful manner :
" Mr. Speaker ; — I ask leave of absence for Hon. William E. Calkins, who has gone home
to lay away his mother, who, after a life of virtue and usefulness, of almost a century, has
passed away."
Mr. Calkins was thoroughly educated by his father, up to the age of si.xteen years ; he was
then placed in the store of Joseph Weed, bred to mercantile and general business pursuits,
Mr. Weed then being one of the most extensive dealers in merchandise and lumber in North-
ern New York, and a man who drafted all papers pertaining to his business, which gave
young Calkins opportunity to become acquainted with such matters, and he studiously im-
proved it. He continued with Mr. Weed twelve years, never losing a day's time. Mr. Weed's
"old book-keeper" (Captain Cornelius Van Veghten) left in 1833, when young Calkins took
his place, and kept the books through to 1844, and by diligence, close application and trust-
worthiness, became confidential clerk and manager, and was intrusted with large and im-
portant transactions with business men and lawyers, in the cities of the Hudson, Canada and
elsewhere.
In 1843 he married Amanda Weed, eldest daughter of his employer, and in 1844 entered
into partnership with Hiram Wilson, in general merchandise, manufacture of lumber and iron,
transportation, etc. Mr. Wilson was to look after matters in a general way, and Mr. Calkins
was to attend to the details and every day management of the business ; and such was the well
earned reputation and business character of the firm, that numerous applications were made
by first-class young men, to obtain positions at nominal pay, in order to acquire a business
education.
The firm generally employed three or four clerks, among whom, at different times, were
Captain Cornelius Van Veghten, who removed to Carroll county, 111., and resorted to farming ;
Allen C. Calkins, who removed to Chicago, 111., and carried on a large lumber trade for many
years ; Augustus C. Lemon, subsequently employed in the business of Mes.srs. Nichols & Co.,
Burlington. Vt.; Mason Stone, now of Ticonderoga ; John T. Butolph, now banker at Iowa
Falls, Iowa, and Henry G. Burleigh, now member of Congress from Washington and Rens-
selaer district. The last mentioned commenced in 1845, when he was about thirteen years of
age, and continued through to the dissolution of the firm in 1852, and then for two or three
years rendered more or less valuable service in settling up matters of the concern, and finally
opened business at the same old stand, on his own account, which he successfully prosecuted
for many years, until he removed to Whitehall, where he amassed a fortune.
In the spring of 1855 Mr. Calkins made arrangements with Messrs. Baker & Wilkie, who
were doing a large trade in general merchandise, in Ticonderoga, and soon became delegated
to buy most of the goods, handle and deposit the money received in bank, and by general
power of attorney, authorized to check the same therefrom, pay the debts, and in short, was
entrusted with the general management of the business, which was conducted to favorable
issue, in April 1863, and such was the satisfaction of the firm, Mr. Calkins was allowed in set-
tlement an equal share of the profits and goods on hand, at which time the goods were sold
out to the junior partner of the concern.
In 1865 to 1870 Mr. Calkins bought several parcels of land of Edward EUice, and of
William E. Calkins. 707
Charles Wheeler, amounting to some eighty-five acres, near the business centre of the town,
including a splendid water power, a portion of which he has cultivated, laid out about a mile
into streets (and ceded the same to town without fee), and lots to sell, as wanted. In 1873 he
sold! fifteen acres and extensive water power to the Lake George Manufacturing Company,
on which a large cotton mill was erected, which gave new impulse to the business of the
place, and largely contributed to the prosperity and advance of the town. He has sold over
S30.000 of real estate and still holds a large amount of desirable land ready to sell.
In March, 1864, Colonel Calkins was in New York city, when the president (R. C. Man-
ning) and several of the directors of the American Graphite Company, and the Ticonderoga
Iron Company, applied to him to take charge of their business at Ticonderoga, as general sup-
erintendent, and a bargain was concluded at a salary of 82,500 per year, and the keeping of
his horse. He then held the office of county clerk, and immediately after his return home,
he consulted many of the leading men of his party about the county, informing them what
he had done, and that the salary was worth more than the whole income of the clerk's office,
and proposed to resign ; but every man consulted enjoined him not to resign on any con-
sideration, which advice prevailed, and he discharged the duties of the clerk's office for about
two years, largely through the aid of an efficient and experienced deputy and helpers, keeping
a general oversight and attending to court duties in person.
He commenced service as superintendent of the companies mentioned in April, 1864,
and continued about two years, and among other things, after careful personal inspection of the
iron works of Messrs. J. & J. Rogers, at Ausable Forks and at Black Brook, he erected one of
the best forges and buildings appurtenant, in Northern New York, with six fires and capacity
for six more fires ; made the bricks at Lake George and built several coal kilns ; had at one
time about 1 2,000 cords of wood cut on the shores of Lake George, and put the works in suc-
cessful operation in 1865, acknowledging himself under great obligations to Messrs. J. & J.
Rogers, for their untiring courtesy and kindness, valuable advice and suggestions.
Much of the time he- had employed for the two companies 150 to 200 men, in the different
departments, and also had the valuable experience and skill of William Hooper, in the man-
agement and working of the extensive black lead mill.
He was enrolled in the 9th Regiment, 40th Brigade, nth Division, of the militia of this
State in 1835, and performed his duties therein for about ten years, holding several non-commis-
sions in company and staff, and several commissions during that period, including quarter-
master, major, and closing out with lieutenant-colonel, commanding. The several commis-
sions.were respectively issued by Governors William L. Marcy, William H. Seward and William
C. Bouck. Then an interim in military affairs until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861,
when he was chosen one of the central military committee of the county (consisting of seven
members), and contributed largely in money, with pen, speeches and active labor, at home
and abroad, in raising men, caring for their support, and in general influence, to sustain the
Government. The military committee above mentioned were H. H. Ross, George W. Goff,
A. C. Hand, John A. Lee, Belden Noble, E. W. Rogers and William E. Calkins.
In politics he was formerly a Whig, but joined the Republicans on the formation of the
party, and was among the first to organize in Ticonderoga, starting off with only twenty-seven
votes, and has ever since acted and voted with that organization.
The public trusts he has filled in town and county have been very numerous.
In 1843 he was elected town clerk of Ticonderoga, by the unanimous vote of both
Whigs and Democrats, and twice re-elected to the same office ; then elected commissioner of
highways, inspector of election, etc. In 1851 he was elected supervisor, and again in 1853-54-
58 chairman of the board in 1853-54, declined nomination in 1855-56-59; elected again
(after holding the office of county clerk twelve years), in 1873-74-75-76-77-78-79-80-81 ; chair-
man of the board in 1873-74-77-78. In 1859, when chairman of the caucus, he erased his
own name from the report of the nominating committee, for supervisor, and inserted Henry
G. Burleigh's name, and asked the caucus to ratify it.
7o8 History of Essex County.
He declined nomination for county clerk, in 1857, but accepted in i860, and was nomin-
ated by acclamation, with the following comment in the report of the proceedings of the
convention :
" William E. Calkins is emphatically a people's man and deservedly one of the most pop-
ular young men of the county. He could have held any office in the county, at any time for
the last ten years, by simply asking for it ; but he has been no office-seeker, and has uniformly
refused a nomination, etc."
He was elected, and after holding the office about four months, he was offered and urged
to accept the coUectorship of the Northern District of New York, by competent authority " to
deliver," with twenty-four hours to answer ; he finally replied, " there are others that want it,
and it's against my judgment for me to accept it.'
He was nominated for county clerk three times, twice by acclamation and once by accla-
mation after one informal ballot ; he held the office twelve years, and prior to convention in
the twelfth year he issued a card, withdrawing his name from further nomination. He was
elected to the office of coroner four times, making twelve years.
In 1874 he was solicited by letter to let his name run for the Assembly, it being feared the
vote might be close, and even doubtful, in consequence of a heavy influx of railroad men, then
working in the county, constructing the W. & P. Railroad. He replied he would do so if it
was the general wish of the Republican party ; he was nominated by acclamation, with the
following comments in the report of the convention :
" Colonel Calkins, known by everybody in the county, and familiar with almost every foot of
land in the county, was nominated for the Assembly by acclamation. He knows our wants
and interests, and will give them time and attention, as he has ever done, in whatever place he
has served the public."
He was renominated by acclamation in 1875, with the following comment touching " our
county nominations:" "The convention did itself the honor to re-nominate for the Assembly,
the old veteran of Ticonderoga, Hon. William E. Calkins. It is enough to say of Mr. Calkins
that he has never failed the people in any reasonable expectation. * * The people have
never learned for a moment to distrust Mr. Calkins," and the convention by resolution heartily
accorded " the honors old Essex always renders her true and faithful servants."
In 1875 (Democrats in majority) he had place on the insurance committee, and on ex-
penditures of the executive department. In 1876 he was chairman of committee of internal
affairs ; a committee upon which a large amount of labor devolved, and member of villages
and printing. On the day of adjournment of the Legislature, Mr. Calkins was presented with
the following warm and respectful testimonial, to which is appended his feeling response, as
follows, copied from the Albany Journal, of May loth, 1876:
" The final meeting of the internal affairs committee of the Assembly was made the oc-
casion of a merited compliment from the members of the committee to their chairman, Hon.
William E. Calkins. The address, signed by all the members of the committee, and Mr.
Calkins's feeling response, are given below, and speak for themselves:
" To the Hon. William E. Calkins, Chairman of the Committee of Internal Affairs of
the Assembly :
"The time has nearly arrived when we shall bid each other adieu to mingle again in the
home duties of life, and we, the humble members of the committee of which you are our
honored chairman, cannot consent to sever the ties which have so entwined about our mem-
ories without expressing to you our appreciation of the very courteous and considerate manner
in which we have been treated by you, to whom, in a great measure, is attributable the entire
harmony and unanimity that has prevailed in our councils.
" That no report has been made from this committee during the entire session of this Leg-
islature with a dissenting vote of any member of the committee, is due. more than to any other
cause, to the very kind and considerate manner of the conduct and rulings of our esteemed
chairman.
William E. Calkins. 709
" And we have this kind remembrance which each of us shall ever retain, that no discord
has occurred to mar our friendly feelings while thus associated together ; and when we shall
have left the busy scenes of legislation and retired to the ordinary scenes of our daily lives, we
can look back upon our companionship here in this committee room, where so many pleasant
hours of labor, study and toil have been spent in perfecting or recommending legislation, as
in the Assembly chamber, with naught but the most kindly feelings, and recollections that we
have conmiitted no intentional act that we did not think the people would endorse as right
and just.
" When in the future our memories revert to our pleasant associations here, and the people
are reaping the benefits or suffering the disadvantages of our actions here, may they have the
magnanimity to accredit to us the best of motives, pardon our shortcomings, and retain for us,
and accord to you the same generous, kindly feelings which we ourselves feel.
" Should we never meet again, may we all continue through life to retain the same friendly
feelings which now exist ; and wish for our successors the same kindly feeling towards each
other, with increased wisdom to perform the high duties which will devolve upon them, that
we, your humble associates have thus endeavored faithfully to perform.
" Newton H. Green,
" Morris N. Campbell,
" John M. Roscoe,
■' S. P. Bowen,
" HiRA.M Maxfield,
" Samuel B. Gardiner,
" Harrison Cheney. "
Mr. Calkins replied as follows :
" Gentlemen : — I most sincerely thank you for your generous expressions of approval of my
services as chairman of the committee on internal affairs of the Assembly. In the discharge of
the duties devolved upon me, I cheerfully acknowledge your earnest and undivided co-operation
and support. I, too, realize that the time is near at hand when we must dissolve our legislative
relations and return to the pursuits of private life ; and, in view of the pleasant relations I
have here enjoyed, it generates feelings of sadness.
" It seems a singular coincidence that a committee, incidentally thrown together from dif-
ferent sections of the State, comparative strangers and differing in political and social views,
should act with such uniform harmony on so many different bills, involving numerous impor-
tant questions. Yet I cannot appropriate to myself the flattering compliment which you so
generously bestow, but rather attribute the unanimity enjoyed to your own good judgment,
forbearance and courtesy.
" Feeling assured that our intentions have been correct. I hope and trust that our action
will conduce to public good. I believe we shall ever mutually revert to our legislative acquaint-
ance with pleasant recollections, and should any of you wander to the locality of my humble
home, 'ring,' the 'latch-string shall be out.' Be assured, gentlemen, that you, individually,
have my best wishes for continued health, prosperity and happiness, and that I shall ever
cherish the remembrance of your courtesy, consideration and kindness."
And here it may not be improper to add the comments of a correspondent, who was pres-
ent at the capitol during the session, which read as follows :
"The Hon. William E. Calkins, of Essex county, has made a creditable record the past
winter in the Assembly, by his careful, watchful interest and frank voting on all questions of
public good. If all the members had shown such commendable zeal to hurry on public work,
the session would have closed long before it did. Seldom vacating his seat, he has been ready for
any emergency, and his clear, intelligent vote showed the Spartan ring. The Hon. William E.
Calkins represents the bone and sinew of the public mind — the hard common sense men who
have no other object but to deal with plain facts. His entire life has been one of actual contact
with the people, in both a mercantile and civil capacity, and he has never been found wanting
7IO History of Essex County.
to the trust reposed in him. For many years his life has been one of constant activity before
the public as an extensive business man or a leader in his neighborhood, several times accepting
offices, the duties of which vifere executed with the same fidelity to all concerned. He came
up to the Legislature, not an aspirant for political honors or fame, but to do his duty in answer
to the call of the people, and well and nobly has he done it. Wealthy and full of all that makes
the afternoon of life a tranquil journey, politics could have no attractions for him, hence he be-
longs to the class of men who are above the intrigues of the lobby and machinations of bad
men. Colonel Calkins's address at the centennial of Ticonderoga indicated the practical, clear-
headed man. So in the Assembly he spoke but rarely, but when he did speak every one lis-
tened because he talked comprehensive and to the point."
He has been a prominent member of the local agricultural societies of Essex county ; he was
president of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of Ticonderoga, and at the same time pres-
ident of the Essex County Agricultural Society, for several years, including the latter, 1873 and
1874, and delivered the annual address of the county society in 1871 and 1874 and addressed
several town societies at different times.
He was one of the secretaries at the organization of the Whitehall and Plattsburg railroad
company, at Plattsburg, January 6th, 1866, and subsequently a director (and secretary of the
company after Mr. Stetson resigned), and purchased all the right of way from Port Henry to
the lake crossing at Ticonderoga, making all the contracts, releases and conveyances, and made
up the final account of all expenditures of the company, duly classified.
He was made chairman of the centennial committee, and president of the day ( July 25,
1864), at the centennial of the settlement of the town of Ticonderoga, and opened the exercises
of the day, with a graceful and appropriate speech of welcome, to about three thousand people.
He was also made president of the day (May loth, 1875) at the centennial of the capture
of Fort Ticonderoga, by Ethan Allen, where Rev. Joseph Cook opened his able and interesting
address, by saying: "This, fellow-citizens, is soil older to fame than Plymouth Rock," to an
audience estimated at seven thousand people. Mr. Calkins introduced the exercises of the day,
in a brief pertinent speech, concluding as follows :
" I tender to one and all a hearty welcome, trusting that all will join heart and hand in the
celebration of to-day. We cannot be unmindful that the actors of a hundred years agt) heed
not the drum beat of to-day, but we feel assured that their spirits are marching on, and when
the marble which marks the resting place of Ethan Allen and his eighty-three Green Mountan
boys, shall have yielded to the crumbling hand of time, their memories and example will live,
gathering brighter lustre with increasing centuries."
^ He has been a delegate to the county convention many times, and several times called to
the chair. Also several times a delegate to the state convention. Also a delegate to the judi-
cial convention, at Rochester, in 1870; and an alternate delegate to the national convention,
at Chicago, in 1868, which nominated General Grant.
The death of his only son, who died in November, 1878. at the age of twenty-five years,
was a crushing blow ; he has an only daughter, now Mrs. C. G. Wicker, who resides near him.
Much of his time, late years, has been spent in looking after his real estate, and in attention to
drafting deeds, bonds, mortgages, wills, contracts and other papers, settling estates, etc.
He has rendered his party valuable service as a public speaker ; always concise and using
apt illustrations to fasten his points, and is ever ready to speak for the " soldier boys," as he
many times has.
From this sketch it will be observed that Mr. Calkins has served the public, in some way,
continuously, for more than forty years ; and during his long career, he has acquired wide
repute as a man of strict integrity and high character, and has attained a foremost position in
his countv.
BRIEF PERSONALS.
CHESTERFIELD.
ADGATE, MARTIN, p. o. Keeseville, son of Martin and Hannah (Hawley) Adgate,was bom
in the town of Ausable, Clinton county, Nov. 5 1805, about a mile, from where he now
resides. Is a farmer and owns 100 acres of land. Was married in 1835 to Mary Hubbell, of
Vermont. Children three living : Adaline V., Rosamond H. and Adelia H.
Andrews, Aaron C, p. o. Keeseville, born where he now resides, Oct. 20, 1833. Is a farmer
and owns 120 acres of land ; was formerly commissioner of highways. Wife, Martha E., daugh-
ter of Capt. N. H. and Melissa (Bedell) Winters, of Chesterfield. Was married Sept. 4, 1860.
Children four: Mabel, Ruth M., ClifiFord W., and Wilfred R. Parents, Cyrus and Lydia P.
(St. John) Andrews.
Appleyard, Joshua, p.. o. Ausable Chasm, born near Leeds, England, Aug. 12, 1812 ; came to
this country in 1820, to Keeseville in 1827. Was general merchant and postmaster a number of
years, highway commissioner and assessor. Wife, Laura Allen, of Grand Island. Children
three living : Edgar and Aurehaus, of Ausable Chasm, and Frank, of Colorado. Parents, Isaac
B. and Mary (Hardcastle) Appleyard, who came here in 1827.
Ashe, Jno., son of Jno. and Catherine (La Chappel) Ashe, was born at Long Point, Canada
East, Jan. 28, 1817. Came to Essex county in 1839. Is a farmer and owns 200 acres of land.
Was married Nov. 27, 1849, to Elizabeth Paranteau, daughter of Noel and Judict (La Valle)
Paranteau. Children ten living : Alfred N., Jane E. (now Mrs. Jerome Bean), of Keeseville,
Adaline E., Jno. Henry, Eugenie D. (now Mrs. Jno. A. Rivers), of Chesterfield, Ellen, M. Mel-
vina, L. Philip, George and Frank.
Barber, C. B., M. D., Keeseville, was born in St. Lawrence county, June 12, 1837. Is a
practicing physician, and a graduate of Albany Medical College. Wife, Mary H. Wilson, a
daughter of A. B. and Catherine (Adams) Wilson, of Lisbon. Second wife, Mary A. Davis.
Children three : Halsey W., Hattie G. and Chas. W.
Barnes, Enos, Keeseville, son of Marcus and Lory Barnes, was born in the house where he
now resides July 15, 1828, and owns 135 acres of land. Was assessor fourteen years. Wife,
Amanda M. Andrews, daughter of Cyrus and Lydia P. (St. John) Andrews, of Vermont.
Children three: Frank D., of Massachusetts, L. Kate, and Mary A.
Barnes, Levi, Keeseville, son of Joseph and Susan (Poland) Barnes, was born in Chesterfield,
Feb. 7, 1842. Is a farmer and owns 249 acres. Mr. Barnes was married Nov. 12, 1860, to
Armenia Abar, daughter of Jno. A. and Calista (Purcit) Abar, natives of Canada.
Bigelow, Chas. E., p. o. Keeseville, was born in Chesterfield, June 10, 1853. Is a farmer and
owns 570 acres. Was married Oct. 7, 1879, to Fannie Gough, a daughter of Robert and Han-
nah (Titus) Gough, of Orange county, N. Y. Children two : Chas. R. and Geo. W. Mr.
Bigelow's parents were Artis Bigelow, born in Jay, Essex county, and Sarah (Smith) Bigelow,
born in Peru, Clinton county.
Colvin, Daniel, (deceased), was born in Clarendon, Vt., Oct. 24, 1802, and came with his
parents, Jonathan and Freelove (Bailey) Colvin, to Chesterfield in 1803. They settled on lot
No. 5 and in Feb. 1813, received two grants or deeds from the State; they amounted to 408
acres. Daniel occupied^.it until his death, which occurred Aug. 16, 1876. Mr. Colvin was mar-
ried to Betsey Brown, a daughter of Jno. and Amy (Mattison) Brown. Children ten : Harriet
0. (now Mrs. B. J. Jacobs), Ruth A., of Chesterfield, Jno. B. of Wheaton, 111., Amy L. (widow
of Daniel H. Jacobs, of Keeseville), George, of Wheaton, 111., Chas., living on the old home-
stead, Henrietta B. (now Mrs. Harmon Woodworth), of Illinois, Albert (deceased), Francis J.
of Chesterfield, and Harvey E., M. D., of Burlington, Vt.
711
712 History of Essex County.
Davis, Jonathan W., p. o. Keeseville, was born in Rutland, Mass., April 19, 1801, and came
to Essex county in 1826. Was married June 26, 1826, to Alice Moore. One child living: Mrs.
George Monroe, of Rutland, Mass. His second wife was Mary Ann Blakesley, of Weathersfleld,
Vt. Children three : Lemuel B., Mrs. Chas. Baker, of Keeseville, and Alice M.
Dodge, Daniel, p. o. Keeseville, son of Rev. Jno. A. and Anna (Peake) Dodge,was born in Monk-
ton, Vt, Feb. 23, 1820, and came to Keeseville in 1848. Is the inventor of the " Dodge horse
nail machine," which is used all over the world. Is a director of the Ausable Horse Nail Works.
Mr. Dodge was the first president of the village.
Gay, L. D.. Clintonville, son of David and Deborah (Dudley) Gay, was born in North Elba,
Sept. 19, 1821'. Farmer and assessor ; owns .300 acres. Was married Jan. 2, 1845, to Fidelia
M. Weston, daughter of Harvey and Matilda (Mace) Weston. Children four living: Matilda
D. (now Mrs. Francis Allen), of Colorado, Amelia F. (now Mrs. Myron D. Richardson), Eliza-
beth E., and Sidney W., of Kansas.
La Fountain, L., Keeseville, son of Mark and Elizabeth (Panno) La Fountain, was born in Chazy,
Clinton county, March 7, 1820. Is a farmer and owns 80 acres. Wife, Nancy P. Hoag, a
daughter of Sarah and Joshua Hoag, natives of Duchess county, who came here in 1801. They
have a daughter, Mary Hoag, who is now in her 85th year, who resides with Mr. and Mrs.
La Fountain.
Lindsay, George, son of Thomas and Sarah V. Lindsay, the former of Scotland, the latter of
Holland, was born in Chesterfield, Feb. 22, 1835. Is a farmer and owns 330 acres of land;
first wife, Helen Dickerson, daughter of James and Aurilla (Beach) Diokerson. Second wife,
Mara R. Bragg. Children two : Seward B. (now of Minnesota), and Geo., jr., of Chesterfield.
Lyon, Charles, Keeseville, son of Gresham and Lucretia (Buckrainster) Lyon, was born in town
of Essex, March 10, 1815. Is a retired farmer and owns 350 acres of land; formerly assessor.
First wife was Mary Jane Garrett, a daughter of James and Roxie (Buckminster) Garrett;
second wife, Jane Elliott, a daughter of William and Hannah (Morse) Elliott, natives of Ver-
mont. One adopted child, Lucinda (now Mrs. Melvin A. Edward.s), of Clinton county.
Macouiber, Albert W., CHntonville, was born in Chesterfield, Feb. 26, 1826. Is a son of Wes-
son and grandson of John Maoomber, known better as Judge Macomber, being one of the first
judges of Essex county ; is a farmer and owns 300 acres of land. Was married to Sarah
Beardsley, daughter of J. and Sarah (Day) Beardsley, of Port Jackson, Clinton county. Chil-
dren five : Eunice B. (now Mrs. Rev. Charles A. Bradford), of Peru, Adelaid (now Jilrs. James
Wardner), of Brighton, Franklin county, Lillian M., Edmund K. and George N., a doctor of
Syracuse.
Macomber, George N., M. D., of Syracuse, was born in Essex county, N. Y., May 13, 1854-
His father being a farmer, he was reared to agricultural pursuits. His early education was ob-
tained at the Keeseville academy. His scientific knowledge, for which he always had a great
desire, was acquired by his own exertions. Most of his time for two years was spent in teaching
to obtain means to pursue his studies, having from childhood an inherent passion for medicine.
He entered the office of Dr. H. A. Houghton, a very able physician of Keeseville, now of Boston,
Mass. After three years of study he entered Pulte Medical college of Cincinnati, Ohio, from
which he graduated in 1878. Immediately after graduating he located in Norwood, St. Law-
rence county, where he remained in active practice for four years. Not being satisfied to re-
main longer in so small a town, in the spring of 1882 he sold out to a young physician who was
desirous of purchasing an established practice, and at once removed to Syracuse, N. Y. He
entered the office formerly occupied by the late Dr. Bigelow, 110 South Salina street, and by
his close application to business and courteous and gentlemanly treatment, he has not only built
up a large and lucrative practice, but enjoys the confidence of the entire community and the
respect of the medical profession, who recognize in him a young man of very marked ability.
In the treatment of chronic diseases he has been especially successful, often being called in
consultation in difficult eases, in preference to older practitioners.
MoGuire, M.. p. o. Keeseville, son of Jno. and Catherine (Jordan) McGuire, was born in
Lewis, Aug. 24, 1848. Is proprietor of the Commercial Hotel of Keeseville, which he erected
in 1882. Was married April 1, 1884, to Sarah Doyle, of Keeseville.
Mills, James, Keeseville, was born in Orford, Got. 17, 1820. Is retired from business.
Came to Keeseville from Clmtonville with his parents, Benjamin and Olive (Woodbury) Mills,
in 1826. Was married to first wife, Adaline Strong, in 1845, and in 1861 to A.senath E. Smith,
a daughter of S. K. and Almira W. Smith, from Hardwick, Vt.
Mussen, Jno. F., Keeseville, was born in Chesterfield. Is a farmer and owns 300 acres of
land; also a wagon and briclc-maker. He was married to Francine M. WiUis, a daughter of
Warren and Susan M. (Sha^v) Willis. Mr. Willis was a native of Westford, Vt., and came
Brief Personals. 713
here about 1835. Mrs. W. was a native of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, and came here when
she was married, March 29, 1842. Edmund W., tiieir son, was in Co. F., N. Y. S. V., was
taken prisoner at the second battle of Fair Oaks, Oct. 29, 1864, and conveyed to Sahsbury
prison, N. C, where he died Jan. 4, 186.5. Their other children are Francine, who was married
Oct. 16, 1872, Harry I., who died March 29, 1872, and Warren L., who died Sept. 4, 1875.
Nichols, Rowland, Clintonville, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, Aug. 24, 1800,
v^ and removed with his parents, Nathan and Mary (Reynolds) Nichols, to Elizabethtown in 1804.
Was married to Elizabeth Durand, of Elizabethtown, May 24, 1825. Children seven : Mary,
Elvira, Charles, Edward, La Payette, John, and Amna. His second wife was Marcia T. Weston,
a daughter of Samuel and Elouisa (McArthur) Weston. Mr. Nichols died June 16.
Pickle, Jno., Keeseville, son of Jno. and Hannah (Ferrand) Pickle, was born in the town of
Broome, Canada East, April 3, 1822, and came to Essex county in 1848. Is a farmer and owns
90 acres. Was married Sept. 27, 1849, to Jane Hines, daughter of James and Susan Hines, of
Chesterfield. Childred one, Elsworth J.
Prime, Henry M., p. o. Keeseville, was born in the town of Jay, Feb. 21, 1835. Isageneral
dealer in horses, harnesses, wagons, cattle, reapers, mowers, horse rakes, etc. Has been super-
visor and collector for several years in Jay. Was married Nov. 7, 1868, to Mary L. Bartlit, a
daughter of Elihu and Sarah (Martin) BartUt, of Jay. Children three: Wilber P., born Aug.
18, 1870, Grace S., born July 27, 1874, and Anna M,, born March 7, 1876, all born in Jay. Mr.
Prime's parents were Henry and Minerva (Whitman) Prime, who came to Jay about 1820 from
Nassau, Rensselaer county, N. Y.
Rivers, Peter, p. o. Clintonville, son of Augustin and Mary Rivers, was born at Three Rivers,
Canada East, April 6, 1820, and came here m 1839. Is a farmer and own.< 221 acres of land.
Was married Octobei- 20, 1852, to Polly Cobb, a daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Moran)
Cobb, of Jay. Children six: Ebenezer, who married Negaw Borie; Charles; John, who mar-
ried Eugenie D. Ashe ; Mary A., who married John H. Soper ; Emily, and Peter A.
Rowe, Carlos W., Keeseville, was born in town of Lewis, May 3, 1835. Is a farmer and
owns 380 acres of land. Was married September 11, 1866, to Lydia A. Andrews, a daughter
of Cyrus and Lydia (St. John) Andrews. Children four: Sidney, Edna, Florence, May. Car-
los W. Rowe enlisted in Company I, 77th N. Y. S. V.. October 1, 1861 ; was taken prisoner at
Spotsylvania Court-House, Va., at the battle of the Wilderness, May 10, 1864. He escaped
from the rebels in about two weeks and rejoined his regiment.
Rowe, Norman, p. o. Keeseville, ^^-a-s born in Chesterfield, June 22, 1812 ; is a farmer and
owns 100 acres of land. Wife, Arlina Briggs, a daughter of Elihu and Elizabeth (Smith) Briggs,
who came from Rensselaer county in 1797. Children six living : Harriet (now Mrs. Benjamin
Field) of \"ermont., Luther B., of Chesterfield, Elizabeth S., and Stephen B., of Dalton, Mich.,
Horace D.. of Millville, Shasta county, Cal., Emma A. (now Mrs. Safford S. Taylor), of Schuy-
ler Falls, Clinton county. N. Y.
Sawyer, C. D., Port Kent, was born at Port Kent, October 4, 1847, is a general merchant
and agent for D. & H. C. Co. coal. Wife, Delia A. Kingsley, daughter of M. C. and Mahssa D.
(Smith) Kingsley, of Whitehall, Washington county. One child : Delia A. Sawyer, who is
postmistress.
Stranahan, Geo. W., p. o. Keeseville, was born in Lewis, Essex county April 21, 1844 : is a
farmer and owns 265 acres of land. Wife, Rosetta A Pitkin, daughter of 0. F. and Maria
(Skinner) Pitkin, natives of Poultney, Vt., who camp to Chesterfield in 1822. Children two :
Rosa P. and Mattie B. His parents were Chas. H. and Emeline (Blaokner) Stranahan, natives
of Canaan, Columbia County.
Weston, Blanchard W., Clintonville, is of English descent ; ^vas born May 20, 1826 ; is a farm-
er and owns 208 acres of land. Wife, Delia A. Howard, daughter of Stoddard and Jerusha
Howard, natives of Vermont, who came here in 1833. Children five living : Emma A., Marcus, of
Vermont, Philinda, Meroelia E., and Orrin E. Parents, Hai-vey and Matilda (Mace) Weston, who
were among the first settlers of New Braintree.
Wilcox, Harvey, was born in the town of Underhill, Vt., April 2, 1818, and came to Essex
county, about 1845 ; was married June 14, 1848, to Sarah Bailey, a daughter of WilUam and
Lydia (Dart) Bailey. Children five : Mary F. (now Mrs. Alambert Durand, of Elizabethtown),
Henry N. (deceased), Lydia M., Amanda E. (now Mrs Albert E. Bentley), Marrion S. Mr.
Wilcox's parents were Elihu and Jerusha Wilcox.
Winter, Miss Sarah 0., Keeseville, daughter of Minus and Sally (Orton) Winter, was born in
the town of Chesterfield Aug. 22, 1817. Her father, Minos Winter, is a direct descendant of
Admiral De Winter, of Germany, and Mrs. Winter is of the Orton family, of Connecticut, and
came here about 1815. They have seven children living: Lorenzo D., of Milwaukee; Sarah 0.,
714 History of Essex County.
of Port Douglass ; Caroline, of Keeseville ; R. H., of Iowa ; Mary L. (now Mrs. Le Barr), of
Nebraska; Francis B., of Keeseville; Blmira (Mrs. N. W. Robinson), of Chicago.
y WESTPORT.
BETTS, HENRY R., p. o. Wadham's Mills, was born in the town of Essex, Jan. 7th._1822;
is a farmer and owns 200 acres of land. His wife, whom he married Dec. 8th, 1847, was
Fidelia Royce, a daughter of Henry and Phoebe (Burrans) Royce, of Westport. Children three
living: Chas. H., of Nebraska; Fred, of Westport; and Ella C, of Westport. Mr. Betts's pa-
rents were Hezekiah and Sally (Royce) Betts, natives of Essex.
Buck, Henry F., p. o. Wadham's Mills, was born in Bridport, Vt., Sept. 2d, 1839, and came
to Westport in 1844; is a farmer and owns 147 acres of land; was married April 3d, 1883, to
Kate C. Tomlinson, a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Kerr) Tomlinson, of Willsborough. One
child: Hester V., born May 4th, 1885. Mr. Buck's parents were Apollos A., and Eleanor (Hay-
ward) Buck, natives of Bridport, Vt., who came to Essex county in 1844.
Clark, Merrit A., was born in the town of Lewis, Feb. 1st, 1845 ; is the proprietor of the
Richards House and livery stable ; also a farmer and owns 1,000 acres of land ; was married
May 17th, 1870, to Lillian C. Richards,, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Henderson) Rich-
ards, of Westport. Children three: Jessie R., Florence and Cornelia A. Mr. Clark is secretary
and part owner of the Westport Pulp Co.
Eastman, Henry E., was born in the town of Lewis, in July, 1854, and came to Westport
in 1871. Is a manufacturer of marble and granite monuments, school trustee, and inspector of
election. His father, Robert E., was a soldier in company F, 118th N. Y. S. V., was taken
prisoner and died in Libby prison. Henry Eastman was married to Mary B., a daughter of
Sylvester and Eliza (Angier) Young, of Essex, Jan. 18th, 1874. Children three: Lizzie M.,
Sylvester B. and Mary E.
Eggleston, Richard, p. o. Wadham's Mills, was born in Essex, April 16th, 1821, and came to
Westport in 1864; is a farmer and owns 115 acres of land. His wife, whom he married Jan.
14th, 1853, was Helen H. Pierce, daughter of Levi and Eliza (Boatwell) Pierce, formerly of
New Hampshire. Mrs. Eggleston died April 15th, 1880, leaving two children : Rollin W., of
Addison, Vt., and Frank L., of Westport. His second wife was Lucy L. Roberts, a daughter
of Samuel and Gemina (Lee) Roberts; was married to her Jan. 3d, 1882.
Fish, Elie W., was born in the town of Lewis, July Hth, 1829, and came to Westport in
1882 ; is a farmer and owns 87 acres. His wife, Sarah Swett, whom he married in March,
1857, was a daughter of Jno. and Aurilla (Matthews) Swett, of Lewis. Children two hving :
Allen C, of California, and Mattie. His second wife was Mary Stevenson, a daughter of Alex-
ander and Margaretta (Richardson) Stevenson, of Westport. Mr. Fish has traveled through the
Western States, where he lived from 1857 to 1881. His parents were Elie and Mary (Cross)
Fish, natives of New Hampshire.
G-ibbs, Nelson J., was born in Westport, May 10th, 1840; is a dealer in stoves and hard-
ware, and manufacturer of foundry implements ; owns a factory at Wadham's mills, office and
store at Westport. His first wife, Theresa A. Clarke, daughter of Aaron and Harriet P. Clarke,
died Feb. 18th, 1877. His second wife, Jennie M. Richards, was a daughter of James and
Sarah (Thompson) Richards, of Westport. Mr. Gibbs enhsted, Aug. 6th, 1862, in Company F,
118th N. Y. S. V. His parents were Warren and Abigail C. (Morrell) Gibbs.
Hoflfnagle, Jno. E., was born in Willsborough, March 19th, 1856, is a wholesale dealer in
eggs, was married Sept. 19th, 1883, to Luoinda A. Payne, daughter of C. R. and Lucinda (Bout-
well) Payne. Mr. HofFnagle's parents were Daniel and Sarah (Towner) Hoffnagle, natives of
Willsborough.
Howard, Orrin B., was born in Westport, Sept. 14th, 1824; is a farmer and owns 241 acres.
Was married to Delia Welch, daughter of Eleazer and Rosina Welch, of Vermont. Children
six living : Prentice P., of Massachusetts ; Jas. S., of Westport ; Mart, A., of Connecticut ; D.
May, teacher in public school ; Chase, of Westport, and Lizzie, of Westport. Mr. Howard's
parents were Frederick T. and Catherine Howard, natives of Vermont.
Howard, R. E., was born in the town of Westport, July 10th, 1845; is a farmer .and owns
183 acres of land. His wife, whom he married March 31st, 1877, was Hannah Stafford, a daugh-
ter of Harris and Sabra (Rice) Stafford, old settlers of the town of Essex. One child, Harris
Mansfield Howard. Mr. Howard's parents were Howard M. and Jerusha (Fisher) Howard.
Mr. Howard, sr., was a native of Vermont and Mrs. Howard of Westport.
Merrill, Henry H.. son of Noel and Pamelia (Cole) Merrill, was born in the town of West-
port, Nov. 20th, 1839; is a farmer and owns 120 acres of land.
Brief Personals. 715
Merrmm, William P. (deceased), was born in AVillsljorough, Dec. 4th, 1816, and died June
4th, 1885. He was a manufacturer of iron and owned 500 acres of land in Westport. Has
been railroad commissioner and supervisor of his town. Nov. '12^1, 1849, Mr. Merriam was
married to Caroline F. Barnard, a daughter of William and Fidelia (Mitchell) Barnard, of Stock-
holm, St. Lawrence county. Children four living: Annie M., Carrie A. (now Mrs. T. H. Rouse),
of Albany, N. Y., Wm. D., U. S. Deputy Collector at Rouse's Point, and Jno. A., of Westport.
Mr. Merriam's parents were Darius and Euseba (Potter) Merriam. Mr. Merriam, sr., was a
native of Massachusetts and Mrs. Merriam of Vermont.
Page, F. H., was born in Hyde Park, Vt, Feb. 10th, 1824, aud carne to Westport about 1843.
Is of the firm of Groves, Page & Co., wholesale grocers, River street, Troy, N. Y. ; has been
town clerk and is now supervisor. Was married Oct. 28th, 1847, to Ann P. Viall, a daughter
of William and Polly (Greeley) Viall, of Westport. Children two : Evaline, now Mrs. Dan C.
Halcom, of Plattsburg, now of Bay City, Mich., and Walter, who died at Bay City, July 21st,
1883. Mr. Page's parents were Lorenzo and Polly (Matthews) Page. '
Pattiaon, Geo. W., was born at Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 1st, 1835 ; is a
farmer and wood-buyer; owns 331 acres. He was married Dec. 17th, 1865, to Catherine Fris-
"bie, daughter of Andrew and Sally (Nichols) Frisbie, natives of Connecticut. One child, Jose-
phine M., now Mrs. F. E. Smith. Mr. Pattison's parents were Archibald and Mehitabel (Pratt)
Pattison, natives of Washington county, who came here in 1840.
Pollard, Abiathar M. D., was born in Bridgewater, Windsor county, Vt., Feb. 22d, 1808, and
■came to Essex county in 1816. Is a graduate of Castleton Medical College, Vermont. AVas
married in 1835 to Hannah Douglass, daughter of Judge Ebenezer and Hannah (Pendleton)
Douglass, of Westport. One child, Ellen M., now Mrs. James H. Allen. Mr. Pollard's parents
were Abiather and Comfort (Scisoo) Pollard. The former of Masachusetts . and the latter of
Bhode Island.
Sheldon, Henry H., of Westport, was born in Westport, April 13, 1839; is a farmer and
owns 300 acres of land ; has been poormaster of the town four years. Was married Sept. 16,
1865. Children five : Arthur H., Will E., Harry M., Florence B., and Frank P. His wife was
JSmma Meeker, daughter of Josiah and Betsey (Woodruff) Meeker. Mr. Sheldon's parents were
Piatt R. and Asenith (Braman) Sheldon. Piatt R. was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Smith, Gabriel A., was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1852, and came to Essex county
in 1859 ; is a manufacturer of clay pipes; factory located three miles south of Westport. His
wife, Clara West, was a daughter of Benoni and Caroline (Barton) West; they were married
Sept. 23, 1873, and had one child, Lillie F. Mr. Smith's second wife was Efiie Barker, daugh-
ter of Levi and Helen (Foster) Barkei', of Moriah. One child, Chas. H. Mr. Smith's parents
■were James A. and Marietta (Munnett) Smith. Mr. Smith, sr., was an Englishman.
Spencer, Geo. W., was born in Port Henry, Sept. 21, 1840 ; is a farmer and owns 170 acres
of land. Was married Oct. 4, 1871, to Electa J. Allen, daughter of Henry and Matilda (Curler)
Allen. Mr. Spencer's parents were Jonathan Buck and Mary (Walker) Spencer, natives of
Panton, Vt., who came to Westport in 1870.
Stevens, Chas. B., son of Guy and Mabel (Stoddard) Stevens, was born in Westport April,
■26, 1839. Was married Jan. 10, 1864, to Eliza M. Lyon, daughter of Isaac D. and Lucinda
(Holoomb) Lyon. Children two, one living : Harold, Mr. Stevens's second wife was Carrie E.
Richards, daughter of James and Sarah (Thompson) Richards, of Westport. Children two liv-
ing : Gertrude L, and Lizzie C, Sept 16, 1861, Mr, Stevens enlisted in Company A, 77th N, Y,
S. V,, and served until the close of the war ; was promoted from second to first lieutenant and
from that to captain, and commissioned as major January 1st, 1865. He was in the following
tattles: Yorktown, WiUiamsburg, Golding's Farm, Savage's Station, White Oak Swamp,
Malvern Hill, Crampton's Gap, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Rappahannock, Petersburg, Spott-
sylvania. Cold Harbor, Fort Stevens, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and surrender of Lee. He
was in command of regiment from April 2, to May 1, 1865.
Torrance, Carlyle H., was born in town of Jay, April 25, 1845; is a farmer and leases 157
acres. Enlisted in Company L, 2d N. Y. V. Cavalry, Feb, 24, 1864, and was discharged in
JSTov, 1865, Mr, Torrance was married to'Sarah Riddle, a daughter of William and Mary (Daily)
Riddle, March 7, 1872. Children two: R. E. and R, W. Torrance.
Williams, Alfred E., was born. in Westport, Nov. 22, 1838. Is a druggist and treasurer of
Westport Pulp Co. ; has been justice of the peace, town collector and is now treasurer of the
Essex County Agricultural Society. Was married Feb, 3, 1869, to Emily G. Howard, daugh-
ter of Mansfield and Jerusha (Fisher) Howard. Was married second time. July 27, 1875, to A.
Fannie Thomson, a daughter of Rev. Jno, Thomson, of Saratoga county, Mr, Williams's par-
ents were Elijah and Phebe (Greely) Williams.
yi6 History of Essex County.
Williams, Joseph M., was born in the town of Essex, March 2C, 1827 ; is a pilot on the
steamer running between Burlington and Whitehall. Was married Deo. 20, 1848, to Ruth Shel-
don, daughter of Gideon and Sarah (Staflford) Sheldon, old settlers of Essex. Children three :
Willis B,, of Worcester, Mass., Charles M., and Sarah M. Mr. Wilhams's parents were Elijah
and Phebe (G-reely) Williams.
Young Sylvester, p. o. Wadham's Mills, was born in Canada, Aug. 27. 1809, and came to
Essex county in 1840 ; is a farmer and owns 150 acres; has been justice of the peace. Was
married to Eliza Angier, a daughter of Calvin and Betsey (Chandler) Angier, Jan. 24, 1842.
Children three: Martha A., Mary E. (now Mrs. Henry Eastman), and Franldin F., deceased.
Mr. Young's parents were Jacob and Charlotte (Covey) Young. Mr. Young, sr., was a native,
of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer county, N. Y. and Mrs. Young of Vermont.
JAY.
BALDWIN, LEVI, is one of the substantial farmers of Jay, born in Orange county, Vt., June 8'
1807. His father, Jonathan, was also a farmer. Levi came to Jay and located on his present
farm about 1824. Oct 16, 1829, he married Ruth, daughter of Gillman White, an early settler
of Jay, and their children are : Elizabeth (deceased), Hannah, Mrs. Franklin Flint, Caroline
(deceased). Loanda, ilrs. Isaac Page, Franklin, James (deceased), Wallace, Gillman, a physi-
cian, and Edwin -R. Mr. Baldwin's farm comprises 115 acres in North Jay.
Barnett, Asa E., proprietor of the Ausable House, at Ausable Forks, is a native of Crown
Point, son of James and Betsey (Burwell) Barnett, and was born Aug. 4, 1850; has followed
farmmg for several years and later the meat market business at Crown Point. He entered the
Ausable House Feb. 22, 1883. Married Elizabeth, daughter of Ransom Locke, a hotel keeper
of Pottersville, Warren county, N. Y., in 1873; she was born in Crown Point, July 4, 1849.
They have two children : Edward L., born in 1873, and Charles L., born in 1879.
Bartlett, OUver J. (deceased), was a highly esteemed farmer of Jay. He was a son of Dr.
Joshua Bartlett, a pioneer physician of Jay, and great grandson of Joseph Bartlett, signer of
the Declaration of Independence, and was born May 12, 1811, at Compton, Canada. He mar-
ried, Feb. 5, 1837, Miss AngeUna©., daughter of Thomas Brewster, of Jay. She was bom
March 23, 1815, and had ten children, eight of them Hving : Mariah A., Lewis J. Adelia A.,
Daniel S., Thomas B., who was drowned Nov., 1852, Mary, Charles 0., who died, Harriet E.,
Thomas, and Gertrude. Thomas conducts the farm of 300 acres. Mr. Bartlett died May 8, 1862.
Bee, Joseph (deceased), was a native of England and emigrated to America in 1833. He
was a miner by occupation. He worked several years in the Arnold ore bed in Clinton county,
afterwards at Danamora for about twelve years as foreman of the State Prison mine, He pur-
chased his farm about 1848, which his family have since occupied. He was born April 5, 1809 ;
married Jane Patterson in 1835. She was born in Ensland, Dec. 24, 1813. Mr. Bee died July
23, 1870. Their children were : Hannah, Hugh (deceased), Sarah, Thomas (deceased), Joseph,
jr. (deceased), and Will, who manages the farm of 200 acres. Hugh was a soldier of the 96th
N. Y. v., and died at Fortress Mom'oe August 25, 1862.
Boynton. The Boyntons are a numerous and prominent family in Jay. They are descended
from Ephraim Boynton, who located in Jay in 1806. His family consisted of eight children,
all of whom are now dead. John, the third son, married Rachel Feltt, of Andover, Vt. Of
their eight children four are now living, viz. . Edward R., Wesson M., Mrs. David K. Day, of
Jay, and John S. Edward R., the oldest, hves on the homestead of 275 acres, where he was
born; married March 15, 1848, to Jane D., daughter of Gellman White. They have two chil-
dren : Edmund L. and Rachel, now Mrs. Barney Bruce, of Jay. Wesson M. Boynton, of Keese-
ville, is the second living son ; was born in Jay Oct. 17, 1824 ; is a farmer and owns a farm of
154 acres in Jay. April 7, 1849 he married iliraba, daughter of Joel Ball, of Jay. Their
children are Adelbert W., a lawyer of Keeseville, Herman C. and Cassius. John Stratton
Boynton is the third living son ; was born on the homestead; has been twice married — first to
Elizabeth Baldwin, who died in 1856. In 1857 he was again married to Martha A., daughter
of Daniel B. Newell, who located in Mr. Boynton's present home. Their children are Lettie,
John, A. Lincoln, Daniel N., MoUie, and Bulah. Mr. Boynton was lieutenant in Company K,
118th N. Y. Vol. infantry; he entered in 1862, and resigned in March, 1864. The great-grand-
father of this family was a colonel in the Revolution, and one of the 71 Boyntons who served
in that conflict. He commanded a regiment at Stony Point.
Brown, Henry K., p. o. Jay, a highly respected farmer of Jay village, was born July 16th,
1836. His farm consists of 216 acres. He married Kate S., daughter of Hiram Jordon, of Jay,
in 1861. They have three children : Lizzie H., Linnie M., and Jamie H. Mr. Brown's father
Brief Personals. 717
was Dr. J. C. Brown, a native of Newport, N. H., and a prominent physioian of Jay, where he
practiced about thirty-five years. His mother was Harriet, daughter of Obediah CooUdge.
They had three children besides the subject of this, viz. : Betsey J., who married Dennis Arthur,
they have two children ; Frankey B. and Nellie A. ; James M., who married Cornelia Coolidge,
had one daughter, Eva S. ; and Hellen H., who married Van Buren Keeler, of Vermont.
Bruce. The Bruce family is among the first families of Jay. Their ancestor, Benjamin
Bruce, first settled in Jay in 1804. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a soldier of the Revolu-
tion. He died September 11th, 1839, leaving six children: Joseph, Jonah, Anna, PoUie, Phila,
and Hannah. Joseph was married to Rebecca Houghton, a native of Vermont, and the vener-
able Joshua F. Bruce, of Jay, is her only son. He married Loraine, daughter of James Kimball ;
they have four children living : Mary, who is widow of Wesley Southmaid ; Robert, a farmer
of Essex; Martha, now Mrs. Henry Beckwith, of Schuyler Falk, N. Y. ; and Cora, now Mrs.
C. W. Smith, of Wells, N. Y.
Bruce, John B., a highly respected citizen of Jay, is the fifth youngest in a family of four-
teen children of Jonah Bruce. He was born August 31st, 1822 ; was married September 2d,
1879, to Rachel, daughter of E. R. Boynton ; they have one daughter, Sallie J. Abner H.
Bruce, son of Benjamin Bruce, was born March 15th, 1835 ; he now resides in Black Brook,
Clinton county ; he has been twice married ; first, in 1856, to Miss Whitney ; she died, leaving
two children, Selden and Minnie. For a second wife he married Minnie, daughter of Horace
Smith, of Jay. Mr. Bruce served in the Rebellion ; was a member of the 3d Cavalry eighteen
months, and later in the 96th N. Y. Vol. Infantry twenty-two months ; was wounded at Cold
Harbor, and again at Pea Ridge. He had four brothers in the army : Orlin, Jonah, Franklin,
and Joseph, who was wounded at Gettysburg and died at Washington, D. C. Martin J. Bruce,
son of Joseph Bruce, was born in Lower Jay, February 26th, 1852 ; is a successful school-
teacher and horticulturist; was married March 12th, 1877, to Sarah, daughter of John Otis, of
Blizabethtown.
Bull, Seth J., represents one of the old settlers of Jay. He was born October 22d, 1833, is
the youngest of six children of Benjamin Bull, who was a native of Connecticut, born in 1782,
afterwards lived in Vermont, and came to Jay about 1805. He was by trade a carpenter; was
twice married. Mother was Sallie, daughter of Seth Johnson, a Revolutionary soldier, of Ver-
mont. He owns and occupies the old homestead of 100 acres near Jay village ; was married
June 29th, 1862, to Mi.ss Mary E., daughter of Pierpont E. Jones, of Jay, and they have five
children : Alice C, Mary E., Benjamin, Pierpont, and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Bull are members
of the Baptist Church of Jay.
BuUen. The BuUen family have figured conspicuously in the iron industry of Jay, and ear-
lier in -Black Brook, adjoming Jay. Samuel BuUen was a pioneer iron-maker and is said to
have made the first hoop of iron in the Ausable valley. He was born June 22d, 1807, in
Keene, N. H., and came to Clintonville with his father in 1819. His father became one of the
original stockholders of the Perue I'-on Company. Samuel married Elizabeth, daughter of Elihu
and Martha (Adams) Emmonds, of Clintonville. They had thirteen children: Lowell, a ham-
mersman by trade, lives in Jay village ; iliss Sarah, with her mother, occupies the homestead
in Jay; Jed H. is assistant postmaster and clerk; Charlotte is now Mrs. Benjamin E. Wells;
Samuel is a hammersman for the J. & J. R. Iron Co. ; Elizabeth is Mrs. George Everest. These
all live in Black Brook, Clinton county, N. Y. Jlr. BuUen died December 29th, 1884, leaving a
handsome estate. Lowell was born in Black Brook, March 2d, 1834, married December 25th,
1859,"^ to Sarah, daughter of James and Polly (Prime) Cutter. They have two sons, Franklin
and Samuel, and one daughter, Cora. Jed H. was born in Black Brook, January 23d, 1845 ;
August 28th, 1873, he married Amanda, daughter of Amos Avery, of Wilmington. They have
several children.
Carpenter Zimri, is doubtless the oldest living citizen in the town of Jay ; was born in
Keene N. H.', May 3d, 1795, and came to Jay in 1811, and lived with WiUiam Kees, a Quaker,
near Kees'evii'le. He was then a poor boy without money or friends, but by careful industry
he finally gained a start in the world, and purchased a property in Jay which he improved and
enhanced in value, and stiU owns and occupies in retirement. He was a soldier of the War of
1812- married to' Betsey Mace of Ausable, N. Y., m 1819. They had ten chUdren: Bernard,
a son' was born in February, 1825 ; he occupies and manages the homestead ; his wife is Mary,
dauo-hter of Almond Bigelow, of Keeseville. They have five chUdren living. Zimri Carpenter
is son of Nathan Carpenter, a cooper at Keene, N. H., and formerly a soldier of the Revolution.
Coolidi'-e Benjamin F., a venerable farmer of Jay, was born April 17th, 1817 ; married
Alniira daughter of John Jaby, formerly of Vermont. Their chUdren are Olvin B., Louisa,
now iirs. StiUuian, Daw, Benjamin, and Diantha, who is now ilrs. Willi,^ Dickenson, of
Lewis* iir. Coolidge's grandfather was Obadiah CooUdge, who settled in Jay about 1804. He
7i8 History of Essex County.
was a native of Vermont, and had previously lived in Lewis and Elizabethtown. Another
grandson, Olvin Coolidge, was a member of the Harris Light Cavalry, and served his country
until the close of the war. He now lives in St. Lawrence county.
DeKalb, John C, p. o. Ausable Forks, was born March 21, 18.38; is a leading merchant in
Ausable Forks; has been in trade seven years in Middle Grranville, Washington county, N. T.,
and three years at Ausable Forks. He owns 265 acres of land in Jay. Was married Oct. 17,
1867, to Joan A., daughter of D. B. Stickney, of Jay. Mr. De Kalb's grandfather, John De-
Kalb, was a native-born German, a shoemaker by trade, and while living in Washington and
Essex counties, he pursued his caUing from house t'> house, which was called "whipping the
cat." He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He came to Jay about 1800, and married Lydia,
daughter of Zephaniah Palmer. They had one son, John W., and three daughters, Caroline,
Betsey, and Statira. John W. was married, April 17, 1832, to Submit, daughter of Captain
Jessee Tobey, of Jay, and they had nine children: Betsey A., now Mrs. Wesley Ferrin, of Jay;
Ermina, wife of W. W. Purmort, of Missouri, (deceased); Lydia P., Mrs. Augustus De Kalb, of
Washington county; Martha, Mrs. B. F. Broughton, of Poultney, Vt.; Mary, Mrs. H. A. Griffin,,
of Clevland, Ohio ; William, Barron (deceased), and John C, the subject of this.
Devlin, John, p. o. Jay, was a native of the parish of Arboe, County Tyrone, Ireland. He
was born November 17th, 1822 ; emigrated to America, landed at Quebec, July 14th, 1842 ;
married to Delia, daughter of Ira Trumbull, of Jay. They have three children : Arthur, mar-
ried, and Ellen and Alice, teachers. Mrs. Devlin died in 1885. Mr. Devlin is a highly respected
farmer and owns 300 acres of land ; has been highway commissioner.
Fairbanks, Ezra, is a native of Clinton county, N. Y., born at Moores November 15th, 1830.
He has been identified with the bu.siness of Rogers & Co., iron manufacturers, since 1852 ;
previous to 1863, at Ausable Porks, but since that date has had charge of their business at Jay
village. In June, 1857, he married Miss Ida, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, of Ausable
Forks, for many years an employee of Rogers & Co., and they have four children : George J.,
Thomas F , Kate L., and Ezra J. Mr. Fairbanks has held various town offices and owns about
200 acres of farm land in Jay.
Fay, Artemus W., p. o. Upper Jay, was born in the town of Keene, September 7th, 1834.
Is a carpenter and paper-boatmaker by trade. June 22d, 1362, he married Delia, daughter of
Oliver J. and Ann Bartlette, of Jay. August 11th, 1862, Jlr. Fay enlisted in the 118th N. Y.
Vol. Infantry, Company C. He served until June 30th, 1865, participating in many of the
severest struggles of the war and rising from the rank of private to fifth sergeant. His wife,
Mrs. Delia Fay, the woman soldier of the 118th, followed her husband to the front, even to the
field of battle, at Drury's Bluff's and again to Hanover Junction, wi.ere she dressed his wounds
and administered to others wounded and dying. She never left the regiment except as rigidly
enforced mihtary rules demanded, and then only to join them at her" first opportunity ; often
assisted by her cool strategy as a heroic and daring woman. Her services were at times sought
and gladly rendered to Christian and Sanitary Commissions, both in hospitals and on the field.
Turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of friends at home, she stood by the flag through the roar
of smoke and musketry. At the close of the war she returned with the gallant 118th and was
offered an honorary commission of major, which she declined. Mr. Fay received a wound on
the right wrist at Drury's Bluff" and also one on the back of his head at Cold Harbor, which
resulted in the loss of the right eye and materially affected the sight of the other. Mrs. Fay is
engaged in the millinery business at Upper Jay village. Among her keepsakes are two blankets
pieced and quilted by the ladies of Westport. Many of the blocks bear words of encouragement
and patriotic sentiment, names and post-office addresses of young ladies of the town, etc. Mr.
Fay is a prominent Free Mason and a member of Apollo Commandery, Knights Templar^
of Troy, N. Y.
Ferrin, Wesley, an able farmer of-Jay, was born in Vermont, March 22d, 1825. His farm
consists of 200 acres of land ; March 7th, 1853, he was married to Betsey A., daughter of John
W. De Kalb. They have four children living : Eber W., Maggie, Henry C, and John F. Mr.
Ferrin's parents were Zebulon and Achsie (Darling) Ferrin, both natives of Morristown, Vt.
They came to Jay in the spring of 1827, bringing with them four children besides Wesley, and
located in North Jay.
Finch, Isaac C. (deceased), who was better known as Clark Finch, was a respected farmer
of Jay, born on the old Finch homestead October 15th, 1813. His father was the Hon. Isaac
Finch, who represented the 16th District of New York in Congress and was twice a member
of the State Legislature. He received the military title of major in the War of 1812, and was
a man of marked ability. He married Martha Barber, born in Worcester, Mass., November 26th,
1785, and they raised a family of ten children. Isaac C. Finch married Miss Esther, daughter
of Horace Harrison, who owns and occupies the present Gale farm. Mi-s. Finch was born
Brief Personals. 719
February 28ih, 1827, and married March 14th, 1851, and has eight children: Flora B. (Mrs.
Elijah Page), Walter B., of Minneapolis, Effie, widow of H. Abbot, Bell (Mrs. Silas Bissell),
Henry C, who manages the homestead, Hallie E., also of Minn., Mattie B. and Nettie N.,
at home. Mi . Finch by a former marriage had three children: Isaac, who died at Yorktown,
a soldier of the Rebelhon, Company C, 77th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, Corinth S. (deceased), and
Lydia (deceased).
Flanders, Martin P., p. o. Ausable Forks, is a native of the town of Jay, born March 20th,
1840. He is superintendent of tlie stamping mills for J. & J. Rogers Iron Co. Has been with
the company for about twelve years and is a thorough mechanic ; was married to Sarah, daugh-
ter of Joseph Bee. Children, four : Francis J., Bertha E., Sadie E., and Kittie Gr. Mr. Flan-
ders's parents were Chapin and Caroline (De Kalb) Flanders, natives of Vermont.
Fuller, Dr. W. St. P., p. o. Jay, is a native of the town of Grand Isle, Vt. ; was born April
20th, 1817. He began life as a poor boy, without friends or assistance; he acquired his educa-
tion under most difficult and discouraging circumstances. He studied medicine with Dr. R. P.
Allen, of Keeseville, and later with Dr. Haywood, of Clintonville. He attended lectures at Cas-
tleton, Vt., and in 1838 commenced practice in Jay, lower village ; being a reliable and trust-
worthy young man, he soon acquired an extensive practice, won the confidence and esteem of
his fellow-citizens, and has continuously practiced in Jay from that time. He has of late par-
tially relinquished his practice and Uves in comparative retirement, with a handsome competency.
He married Maria L., daughter of John Levake, a captain in the War of 1812. Their children
are Le Grand H., Frances M., both of New York city.
Griswold, George, p. o. Jay, one of the venerable and highly respected citizens of Jay, was
born in Keene, N, H., in 1799, and came to Jay in 1812 ; was married to Polly Works, of Mas-
sachusetts. They have no children of their own, but have adopted two : Adam C, now pro-
fessor of natural science in Wesleyan Seminary, and John M., of Chicago. Mrs. Griswold died
April 27th, 1881. Mr. Griswold has for many years been a member and officer in the M. E.
church of Jay valley. His parents were Stephen and Cynthia (Kingsbury) Griswold. They
had four other children.
Heald, Clark (deceased), was born in Keene, August 9th, 1840. Was a carpenter by trade ;
married March 21st, 1869, to Elnora, daughter of Sylvenus and Lois (Smith) Nye. October 2d,
1861, he entered the U. S. Army from Jay in Company H, 1st Reg. N. Y. Sharpshooters, was
taken sick and discharged July 11th, 1862. He died in Jay, December 8th, 1877.
Herron, Henry, p. o. Ausable Forks, has been a resident of the Forks since the fall of 1867.
He came from Perue where he had been engaged in the tin and stove business. He afterwards
did a very successful hardware business until May 12, 1885, when his entire establishment was
destroyed by fire. Mr. Herron has been twice married, first to Mary J. Bushnell, of Perue,
who died iu 1878, leaving two children: LiUie H. and Clara (now Mrs. L. I. Everest, of Au-
sable Forks). His present wife was Ann Arnold, widow of Wilbur Jones. Mr. Herron has
been postmaster for six years and owns one of the finest homes in the village.
Jones, Pierpont B., p. o. Ausable Forks, is a representative farmer and citizen of Jay. He
was born June 27, 1819, near Upper Jay village. Has spent nine and one-half years in the
treasury department at Washington and two and one-half years in the New York city post-
office ; was married August 18, 1941, to Beulah, daughter of Col. Daniel Blish, who located in
Jay about 1806, on the present home of our subject. He was a colonel in the War of 1812 ;"
of his three children, Mrs. Jones is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Jones's children are : Mary,
now Mrs. S. J. Ball, of Jay ; Martha, who has served six 3jears as a clerk in the Sixth Auditor's
office, U. S. Treasury, at Washington, D. C; Daniel, at Minneapolis, Minn.; Maggie, now Mrs.
William C. Thompson of the same place; Lydia, now Mrs. Rev. W. W. Campbell, a missionary
in India; Elijah B., a clergyman in Ohio; Nathan H., jeweler at Ausable Forks; Beulah B.,
wife of Daniel Tomlinson, Jr., of Willsborough ; and Gilman M., an electrician and mechanic,
of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Jones's father was a soldi'er in the Revolutionary ^^'ar, a native
of Connecticut, and came to Jay in 1799.
Jones S. V. R., was born Dec. 7, 1825; is a respected and thrifty farmer of Jay. His wife
was Ann' Thompson, a daughter of Eliardy Thompson, of Jay. Children eleven, viz: Elsie,
Nettie Emory, Josephine, Stephen Y. R., William, Juliette, Byron, Lydia, Russell, and Annie.
Nettie' is Mrs. Aaron Weston, of Port Henry, and Elsie, Mrs. Almon Shorties. Mr. Jones's
parents were Russell and Sally (Whitman) Jones. He was one of the early settlers and a
soldier of 1812. They had eleven children, of whom Harry, Permelia, Eunice, Bushrod,
S. V. R., Angelina, and Charles are still living.
Kendall Frank B., M. D., a native of Keeseville, was born Oct. 17, 18.58. Read medicine
with Dr. C'onant Sawyer, of Ausable Forks, and graduated in 1880 from the N. Y. University
Medical department; in 1880 he commenced practice in Jay, and was married in 1883 to Kate,
720 History of Essex County.
daughter of Ezra Fairbanks, of Jay. They have one son, Charles, born June 25, 1884. Dr.
Kendall's father was Chas. H. Kendall, formerly a merchant of Lewis and now proprietor of
the Riverside House, at Saranac Lake. His mother was Winnie E. Bergen of Irish nativity.
Mussen, Henry, p. o. Upper Jay, was born in the town of Holland, Orleans county, Vt,
Dec. 15, 1822. Has served three years in the 118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry; was acoidentially in-
jured, for which he draws a pension. Mr. Mussen has been twice married; first to .Jane E.
Bigelow, in 1844. They had one son, George, '\A'ho enlisted in the U. S. Army from Jay, in the
Harris Light Cavalry ; was a prisoner at Libby prison and Belle Isle. For his second wife he
married Sally Floyd ; her father's name was Michael. They have five children living : Charles
A., Cassius P., Hurbert, Jane and Mary. Mr. Mussen's father was a farmer and jobber at Port
Kent and afterwards Chesterfield.
Nye Bros., p. o. Jay. Wales and Wells Nye are twin brothers, born Jan. 28, 1852. In
1879 they purchased the mill property of Mrs. Clark Heald and are doing a successful business.
Wales was married Nov. 16, 1880, to Rose M., daughter of Asa Heald, who was a soldier of
the 16th N. Y. Vol. Infantry ; served eight months and died in Washington, D. C. Wells was
married Dec. 29, 1880, to Cora E., daughter of Alfred Lyon, of Valcour. The parents of Nye
brothers were Sylvanus and Lois (Smith) Nye. Their other children are Elnora, Ida, Emerson,
Percival, Frederick and Edna.
Obrist, Stephen, p. o. Upper Jay, was born Oct. 24, 1826; is a farmer and owns 300 acres
of land. His father, Jacob, was one of the old citizens of Jay, a native of Switzerland, born
in 1789. He served seven years a soldier under Napoleon ; was twice captured by the British,
and finally sent as a soldier to America. In the War of 1812, he deserted the British cause,
having served eleven years, and came to Plattsburg, and to Jay about 181,3. He first worked
for the Purmorts, later for Mr. Wells, and finally located on the farm where his son now re-
sides. He married in Jay Almira Whitman.
Otis, William B., p. o. Jay, represents one of the first settlers of his town. His grandfather,
Robert, came from Connecticut, with his wife and one child, John, in 1794, and located on the
present farm of John W. Otis, another grandson. They left one daughter, Hannah, in Con-
necticut. Joseph Lafayette, Sheldon, Loraine and Louis were born to them in Jay. William
B. Otis is a son of Joseph Otis, who married Juda, daughter of William Barker, of Jay.
William B. was born Sept. 7, 1824, married Nancy E., daughter of Thomas Martin, of Jay, and
have four children : Bell A. (Mrs. Frank Reed), Carrie B., Linda C, and NeUie. Robert, an
only son, is deceased.
Pierce, Benjamin, C, p. o. Ausable Forks, was born in Greenwich, Washington county, N.
Y., Sept. 12, 1812 ; has been a resident of Essex county, since 1860; is a superintendent fbr
J. & J. Rogers Iron Co. Mr. Pierce's wife was Catharine R., daughter of Isaac Finch, a rep-
resentative citizen of Jay; she died April 12, 1883, aged 71 years. They had four children:
Henry I., Isabel H., Earl, and Frank C. Henry I., now of Milwaukee, was a soldier of the
96Lh N. Y. Vol. Infantry; served five years; enlisted as first-heutenant in 1860; he was en-
gaged m thirty-three battles, and was a brave and daring soldier. Isabel H. is now Mrs. N. A.
Throop, of Delevan, Wis. Earl, also of Milwaukee, entered the army in 1862, in the 1 18th N.
Y. Vol. Infantry as private ; was transferred to the 96th Regiment and made captain ; he served
until the close of tlie war, one year as provost marshal, at Richmond, Va. Frank C. is a
farmer of Jay.
Prime, Henry, p. o. Upper Jay, a venerable citizen of Upper Jay village was born in Nas-
sau, Rensselaer county, N. Y., May 14, 1810; has been twice married, first to Minerva,
daughter of Benjamin Whitman, in 1834. She died in May, 1843, leaving Henry M., now of
Keeseville, N. Y., a speculator; Ann, now Mrs. Charles Smith; Ashley S., of Jay; Ellen, now
Mrs. Lewis Bartlett, of Jay ; ilinerva, Mrs. Hiram Parish. Aug. 22, 1843, Mr. Prime married
Mary, daughter of Asa and Maria (Walkei) Sumner. Their children are Silas W. and Spencer
G., merchants of Upper Jay ; Mary, now Mrs. Arthur Knappin ; Etta, now Mrs. John Heald.
Ashley Prime is a member of the drug firm of Smith & Prime, of Ausable Forks, and is also
engaged in farming. Was married Feb. 8, 1862, to Helen L., daughter of G. H. Smith. They
have four children: Peter C, Victor W., Emma L., and Matthew J. He was a, soldier in the
118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, Company C; enlisted as private Aug. 11, 1862, was made sergeant
and rose to the rank of second-lieutenant; was wounded in the second battle of Fair Oaks, gun-
shot in the neck, also in the face in front of Petersburg. Was discharged June 29, 1865.
Ryan, John, p. o. Ausable Forks, is a native of Ireland, born June 24, 1832. He emigrated
to America with his pai-ents, and was married Feb. 5, 1856, to Ellen, daughter of Matthew
Judge, who emigrated to America in 1852. They have three children living: H. Timothy,
Maggie, and Edward. Mr. Ryan owns a farm of 170 acres. Mr. Ryan is a native of the
County Tipperary, Ireland; his wife of the County of Kildare, Ireland.
Brief Personals. 721
Ryan, Patrick, p. o. Jay, is foreman of J. & J. Rogers' coal yard ; has been an employee of
the company about eighteen years; was born in Ireland in 1830 and emigrated to America in
1861, bringing a wife and two children. They now have four children : James, Thomas, Mary
and Wilham. Mr. Ryan is a faithful worker, a good citizen, and owns a comfortable home in
Jay village.
Southmaid, Nathan, was born May 23, 1796. He was one of the representative and public
spirited men of Jay. He married Phebe, daughter of Jeremiah Smith. They had three chil-
dren, now deceased. Mr. Southmaid died Dec. 28, 1882. He was a soldier of the War of 1812.
Mr. Southmaid's father was one of the pioneers of Jay, a farmer and one of the original pro-
prietors of the Arnold ore bed. Mrs. Southmaid's grandfather was a soldier of tlie Revolution
and died a prisoner of war on a British ship.
Storrs, Elbridge G-., p. o. Upper Jay, is a native of Beekmantown, Chnton county, N. Y.;
born Jan. 24, 1832, and came to Jay with his parents in 1835. Is a contracting carpenter and
undertaker; was married May 12, 1864, to Amanda M., daughter of Oliver J. Bartlett. Mr.
Storrs's parents were Lemuel and Phebe (Parrot) Storrs. His father was a farmer, to which
he added blacksmithing after coming to Jay ; is now deceased. Besides Elbridge, they had
three sons and one daughter, viz. : 'William, Orrin, Lemuel (deceased), and Susan, who is Mrs.
0. L. Perkins, of Jay.
Taylor, Nathan, of Jay, is a native of Rupert, Vt. His parents were Israel and Rodah (Har-
mon) Taylor, who came to Jay about 1820. They had thirteen children : Nathan married
Susan, daughter of Benjamin Bull, of Jay ; she died in 1875 and left six chddren, viz. : Ben-
jamin (deceased), Charles, Daniel C, Seth, Ellen (deceased), Eleazer, Maria (now Mrs. William
Dudley, of Nebraska), and Florence (Mrs. Benjamin K. Coolidge), of Jay. Daniel C. is a rep-
resentative farmer of Jay and one of the assessors of his town. He was born Nov. 6, 1839 ;
married in 1862 to Sarah J., daughter of James Crary, of Saranao, N. T. Their two children
are Nettie and Warren. Mr. Taylor is an ex-soldier of the late war ; enlisted in 1864 in 46th
N. Y. Vol. Infantry, Company C ; served ten montlis ; was in, front of Petersburg and other
hot engagements. He has a good farm of 100 acres. Eleazer, the sixth of the family has been
twice married, first to Laura B. Coolidge, of Jay, who died, leaving two children, Clark E., and
Laura B. His present wife is Lottie B. Wither, of Perue, Essex county.
Thompson, Thomas (colored), is a liammersman for tlie J. & J. Rogers Iron Co.; is a native
of North Carohna, was born a slave July 16, 1846. He left his master's plantation in 1862 to
seek his liberty, and made good his escape into the Union army at Suffolk, Va. For two years
he was employed by the officers of Co. K., N. Y. S. Vol. Infantry, as their cook, and then en-
listed in the same company and served until discharged in 1865. He then came to North Elba,
and later to Jay, where he learned iron making and hammering, which he has successfully
followed for the last ten years. Since he came north he has by industry and frugal habits
acquired some property and a good education. He is a member and class leader of the First
M. E. Church of Jay.
Torrence. The Torrence family was founded in Jay by William Torrence, who came from
Sandgate, Vt., with five sons: John, Louis, Daniel, Orrin, and Reuben, and settled in the local-
ity known as Torrence Hill. Rusel Torrence, of Jay. a descendant of Jno., married Rhoda,
daughter of Israel Taylor. WiUiam, an early settler of Jay, marri d Mary, daughter of Aaron
Houghton. They have five children living: Luella, Maria, WdHam, Martin and Jolin ; two
deceased • Lydia and Nellie. Besides William, Mrs. Rhoda Torrence had seven children : Will-
iam, Ephraim, who served nine months in the late war, Adoniram, who lost his life from wounds
received in the battle of the Wilderness, Jane, Isaac, Elizabeth, and Elanora. William Torrence
lives on the old Houghton farm and his mother resides with him. Ira Torrence was born Aug.
9 1841. He is a farmer and owns 100 acres. Nov. 9, 1862, he married Lucy E., daughter of
Sylvester and Luoinda Smith. They have one son, Fred, born Jan. 11, 1878. Ira was a mem-
ber of the 2d N. T. Harris Light Cavalry, Company E; enlisted in Sept. 1864, and served until
the close of the war.
Trumbull Thomas D., of Ausable Forks, represents one of the early families of Jay. Studied
law at Keese'ville with Gardner Storr and Lemuel Stetson, and was admitted to the bar in 1848.
His wife is Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Chase, of Ausable Forks. They have six children :
Richard and Thomas D. jr. are attorneys ; the others are Charles, Fred, Clark and Virgil. Mr.
Trumbull's father was Levi, who came «-ith a brother from East Rupert, Vl,, and located in the
southern part of Jay in 1804. They had eight children : Ira, Olive, Typhenia, Harriet, Thos. D.,
Simeon Betsey and Clara. Mr. Trumbull, sr., was born in Suffield county, Vt. He was a sol-
dier of the War' of 1812, and was in the battle of Plattsburg.
Wells Benjamin, p. o. L'piier Jay, a venerable citizen of Jay, is a native of Williamsburg,
AIiss ■ was born May 13, 1802 ; came to Jay in March, 1S13. Oct. 3, 1826, he married Jane
""' 46
722 History of Essex County.
A., daughter of Luman Wadhams, of "Wadham's Falls. In Feb. 1885, she died, leaving a family
of six children, viz.: Chester W., of San Francisco, Cal. ; Ermina P. ; who is now Mrs. Monroe
Hall, of Plattsburg, N. Y. ; Edgar S. and Chas. W., of Saginaw, Mich. ; and Harriet P., at home.
Benjamin E. is secretary of the J. & J. Rogers Iron Co., at Black Brook, Clinton county, N. Y. ;
He married Charlotte, daughter of Samuel Bullen, of Jay, and has a family of five sons : Wal-
lace H., Benjamin S., Edgar C, William W., and John R.
Wilkins, Cyrus, is a native of Jay, born in 1830, on what is npw a portion of the Wesley
Ferrin farm, where his father, Lyman Wilkin, resided for many years. His mother was Eliza
Wilkins. Cyrus enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1864 in the 142d N". Y. V. He was in several
severe battles, was wounded at Fort Fisher that same year and lay in the hospital at Point of
Rooks; from there to Portsmouth, W. Va., until close of war. He is a pensioner. Was mar-
ried June 26, 1850, to Perley A., daughter of Henry Sanders, of Jay. They have two children:
Eliza J., now Mrs. Urih Palmer, and Eunice, Mrs. Geo. James. Their farm consists of 50 acres.
NORTH ELBA.
ALLEN, HENRY, p. o. Lake Placid, was born in Vermont in 1848, and came to Lake Placid in
1865 ; is a hotel keeper ; has been supervisor and highway commissioner for his town ; was
married to Sarah E. Demon in 1868. Mr. Allen was in the late war, serving in the 46th N. Y.
Regiment.
Ames, Daniel, was born in New Hampshire in 1818, and came to North Elba in 1839; is a
farmer and lumberman ; has been supervisor, justice of the peace, commissioner, and assessor of
his town. Mrs. Ames, formerly Jane S. Blake, was born in New Hampshire in 1818 ; they
were married in 1839. Mrs. Ames died in 1883 leaving five children. ,
Ames, S., was born in this town in 1844; is a farmer and hotel keeper (summer hotel) ; has
been assessor, supervisor, and town clerk for his town; was married in 1866 to Martha Scott,
and they have three children.
Arnold, N. J. was born in Michigan in 1840, and came to Franklin Falls in 1860 ; has been
supervisor three terms; is now in the mercantile business and also keeps a hotel and sporting
house. His wife, who was Ann Groodspeed, was born at St. Armand in 1846 ; they were mar-
ried in 1869, and have three children. Mr. Arnold was in the last war, serving in the 118th
Regiment.
Baker, Andrew J., was born in Keeseville, Essex county, in 1840, and came to St. Armand in
1853. He is a farmer and land dealer ; is also a guide and keeps a boarding-house ; has repre-
sented the town of North Elba in the board of supervisors two terms ; has been justice of the
peace several years, also postmaster one year. In 1866 Mr. Baker was married to Mary H.
Scott, and they have three children living.
Billings, Albert, was born in Vermont in 1853 and came to this town in 1876 ; is a guide
and also keeps a boarding-house ; has been town auditor and is now on his second term; his
wife was Ella Brewster, born in 1856. They were married in 1877 and have one daughter.
Billings, Geo. W., was born in Vermont in 1849 and came to this town in 1871 ; is a mail
carrier, farmer and market gardener ; has been inspector of election, town auditor and collector.
His wife was Elsa A Brewster. They were married in 1875, and have five children.
Brewster, Byron L., was born in North Elba in 1846; is a farmer; has been justice of the
peace, also supervisor, and is commissioner for the State Road from North Elba to Wilmington.
His wife, Bidney Conoboy, was born in Wilmington in 1858. They were married in 1879 and
have one son, Cassius J. Brewster.
Brewster, Emory, was born in this town in 1860 ; is a farmer. His wife is Ellen Bull, born
in this county in 1865. They were married in 1883 and have one daughter, Mabell Brewster.
Brewster, Martin W., was born in North Elba in 1865. His business is farming and keep-
ing a hotel, known as the Lake Placid House.
Bull, F. M., was born in Essex county in 1840, and came to Saranac Lake in 1881; is a
druggist. Was married in 1860 to Corlista Bull, born in 1838 in Essex county. They have two
children : C. W. and Nelly G. Bull. Mr. Bull was in the late war, serving in the 77th N. Y.
Regiment.
Camron, Duncan, was born in Canada in 1844, and came to this town in 1862 ; is a farmer
and keeps the Ray Brook House for summer boarders ; has been commissioner for his town.
Was married to Lettie J. Ames in 1860, and they have two children: Byron A. and Jennie
Camron.
Brief Personals. 723
Chellis, Geo. T., was born in Clinton county in 1850, and came to Lake Placid in 1882. He
is a mechanical engineer and lumberman by occupation having quite extensive saw and planing
mills on Chub river one mile from Lake Placid. He is town clerk of his town, third term. His
wife was Ella J. Isham, born in Clinton county in 1854. They were married in 1876, and have
one daughter, Nellie Chellis.
Crawford, E. M., waa born in this county in 1833. Is a merchant and lumberman ; has
been supervisor, justice of the peace and collector for his town ; was married in 1856 to Ehza J.
Dibble, a native of this county, they have three children.
Dibble, N. M., was born in Vermont in 1818, and came to this county in 1820 ; is retired
from business ; has been supervisor, commissioner of highways and collector for his town. Was
married in 1837 to Eliza A. Snow, a native of this county.
Eglesfield, Geo. ^y., p. o. Keene, was born in Montreal in 1827, and came to North Elba in
1849 ; is a farmer and hotel keeper ; has been commissioner of excise for his town. Was mar-
ried to Miss Sophia Washburn, a native of this town.
Flagg, Arlo C, was born in Essex county in 1853, and came to Saranac Lake in 1875 ; is a
boatman; has been constable in his town.
Holt, Chas. N., was born in this town in 1833 ; is a farmer ; has held several local offices for
his town, viz.: supervisor, justice of the peace, commissioner and assessor; has been twice
married, first to Delia McFarlin, in 1869 ; she died in 1882, and he was married to Miss Hettie
Stores.
Holt, Jas. S., was born in this town in 1847 ; is commissioner for his town. His wife was
Mary Ann Morrison, born in this county in 1843. They have six children. Mr. Holt's father,
also Jas. S. Holt, was born in this town.
Holt. Monroe, was born in this town in 1845 ; is a farmer and keeps a summer hotel ; was
married in 1873 to Amanda Blynn, and they have one son. Mr. Holt has been assessor and
collector for his town. His father, Jas. Holt, came to this county from Vermont in 1807.
Kennedy, Melvin, was born in Wilmington in 1854; is a carpenter and joiner, also guide;
has been constable and collector for his town.
Kennedy, Wesley, was born in Wilmington in 1844 ; is a carpenter and also keeps a summer
hotel ; is now town auditor, and has been constable and deputy sheriff. His wife, formerly
Nancy Brewster, was born in this town in 1851. They were married in 1875.
Lamoy, Joseph, was born in the town of Moriah in 1844, and came to North Elba in 1866 ;
IS a guide. His wife was formerly Miss Ames ; they were married in 1871, and have one
daughter, Nelly. Mr. Lamoy was in the last war, serving in the 118th N. Y. Eegiment.
Lyon, M. C, was born in Vermont in 1815, and came to this county in 1828 ; is now post-
master ; has been justice of the peace and town clerk several terms ; is state commissioner; is
a farmer, lumberman, and also keeps hotel ; was married in 1839 to Ailianda Blynn, and they
have two children.
Miller, Van Buren, was born in Wilmington, Essex county, in 1827, and came to Saranac
Lake in 1857 ; is justice of the peace, has been town clerk, supervisor, assessor and deputy
sheriff; has also taken the enumeration for the census; is now ayent for the State lands in
Franklin county. His wife was Sarah E. Malbone, born in Wilmington in 1828. They have
seven children.
Moodey, B. R., was born in the town of North Elba, in 1842, is a farmer and wood-sawyer,
and also a guide ; has been commissioner and assessor of his town ; has been twice married,
first to Carry Pratt, and again in 1875 to Elnora Jones. They have two children : Daisy M.
and Benjamin 0.
Morhous R. A., was born in Elizabethtown, Essex county, in 1851, and came to Sa-anac
Lake in 1876 ■ is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and has built some of the finest residences in
this section ■ is also a dealer in furniture. Was married in 1880 to Lizzie Peck, and they have
two children : Edith L. and Eosamond. Mr. Morhous has been collector for the town of St.
Armand and inspector of election for Saranac.
Nash Joseph V., was born in Vermont in 1825, and came to this county in 1840; was mar-
ried in"l851 to Harriet C. Brewster. He died in 1884, leaving three daughters : Carrie C,
Hattie J. and Fannie C. While Uving he held the office of supervisor, justice of the peace and
other local offices.
Peacock Wm., was born in England in 1819 and came to this town in 1849; is a farmer
and gardener ; is overseer of the poor for his town, has been justice of the peace, assessor, town
auditor and 'inspector of election. His wife was Louisa Herring, born in England in 1819 ;
th V were married in 1843, and have seven children. Mr. Peacock was in the late war, serving
in the 118th Regiment.
724 History of Essex County.
Peacock, VC. R., was born in North Elba, in 1S55 ; is a farmer. His wife was Charlotte E.
Hays, born in Essex county, in 1859. They yvere married in 1879, and have one son, Carlos
R. Peacock.
Parkhurst, L. S., was born in Vermont in 1838, and came to this town in 1845 ; is a farmer ;
is assessor for his town, has been commissioner, constable, collector, town auditor and inspector
of elections. His wife, formerly Ellen Kennedy, was born in Wilmington in 1850. They were
married in 1874, and have three children : Willie N., Orvie W. and Mittie E.
Partridge, L. W., was born in this county, in 1824; is a farmer, and also keeps summer
boarders. Was married in 1847 to Emily Gage, and they have seven children. Mr. Partridge's
father came to this county from Vermont in 1789.
Peck, Chester W., was born in Jay, Essex county, in 1826. He is a carpenter and joiner
and boat-builder ; has been deputy postmaster for his town. His wife was Eunice Crary, born
in Clinton county in 1838. They were married in 1855 and came to Saranac Lake in 1855.
They have two children.
Potter, E. W., is a native of this county; was married in 1843 to Rev. John J. Trumble.
He died in 1859, leaving four children. Mis. Trumble then married John Potter, who died in
1881. She had one son in the last war, Melville J. Trumble.
Randle, Chas. il., was born in "\^'ilmington, Essex county; in 1832 ; is a farmer. Mr. Ran-
dle has been three times married, first to Polly il. Hines, who died in 1859 ; afterward to Olive
Airs, who died in 1877 ; and again to Ellen Taylor, a native of this county. He has seven chil-
dren. Mr. Randle was a soldier in the war, serving in the 118th N. Y. Regiment.
Reynolds, Reuben, was born at Saranac Lake in 1842. His wife's name before marriao-e
was Ida A. Taylor, and she was born in Lewis county in 1853. They were married in 187'5
and have three children Uving. Mr. Reynolds is a farmer ; he also keeps a boarding-house '
has been excise commissioner and constable for his town.
Robbins, Plinney A., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Ohio in 1840 and came to Saranac
Lake in 1855. Is a farmer, lumberman and hotel-keeper ; was married in 1861 to Anna But-
terfield.
Segua, Peter, p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Keeseville, Essex county, in, 1845, and came
to Bloomingdale in 1870. Is a carpenter and joiner, also carriage maker. His wife, formerly
Mary Wilcox, was born in \\'ilmington in 1846. They were niarried in 1869, and have four
children. Mr. Segua was in the late war, serving in the 12th U. S. Infantry for the term of
six years.
Severance, Wm. E., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Clinton county in 1859 and came to
Saranac Lake in 1882. He keeps a meat market and grocery store ; is town clerk. His wife
was formerly iliua A. Mace. They were married in 1880. They have one dau"-hter.
Sheldon, Wm. R., was born in Keeseville, Essex county, in 1849, and came to Saranac Lake
in 1867. He was formerly a guide, but is now a mail carrier between Upper and Lower Sara-
nac Lake; is now excise commis.sioner and has been town auditor for his town. His wife for-
merly Melinda Miller, was born in Essex county in 1850; married in 1870.' They have five
children.
Slater, John, Was born in Jay, Essex county, in 1843 ; is a farmer and guide ■ is assessor
for his town and has been justice of the peace and town auditor. His wife was Irmeda J
Moodey, born in Xorth Elba in 1S40. They were married in 1860 and have three' children •
Lula 11., Howard J., and Kittie A.
Slater, W. J., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Jav, Essex countv, in 1851 He is a car-
penter and joiner ; he is also a guide and boat-builder. His wife, formerly Emma Washer was
born in Essex county in 1855. They were married in 1876, and have two children • Francis H
and T. Moss. Mr. Slater was in the late war, serving in the 118th N. Y. and 96th N Y He
has been town auditor and inspector of election for his town.
Somers, Henry L., was born in Vermont in 1849, and came to this county soon afterward-
IS excise commissioner for his town and trustee of the Library Association" and inspector of
election ; was married in 1866 to Hattie Preston, and they have one danahter Minnie Somers
Was in the last war, serving in the 2d X. Y. V. Cavalry. " '
Stevens, John A., and George A., p. o. Lake Placid. The Stevens brothers were born
m
Black Brook, Clinton county, John A. in 1848, and George A. in 1856. They came to this
county in 1877. Geo A. is now supervisor of his town, their business is lumberinn- and thev
also keep the Stevens House for summer guests. '^'
Stickney, F. V., was born in Michigan in 1855. and came to Lake Placid in'lS8l) Is a mer-
chant and postmaster and notary public; was married in 1879 to Marv Wood, and thev have
two children : Anna E., and Minnie M.
Brief Personals. 725
Taylor, Cyrus, p. o. North Elba, was born in Jay in 1821; is a blacksmith and farmer; is
justice of the peace, which office he has held for about twelve years. Mr. Taylor has been twice
married ; first to Mary Lee; she died in 1858, leaving one child, and in 1859 Mr. Taylor mar-
ried Mary E. Beede. They have ten children.
Thompson, Franklin P., p. o. North Elba, was born in Essex county in 1827 ; is a farmer,
also carpenter and joiner ; has been justice of the peace and assessor for his town. His wife
was Julia Ann Demmon, born in Terraont in 1840. They were married in 1857 and have four
children.
Thompson, Leander, p. o. North Elba, was born in this town in 1829. He is a carpenter and
joiner; has been town clerk in his town ; served in the last war in the 96th Regiment. His
wife was Alma P. Demmon and they were married in 1863.
Torrance, Orrin, p. o. North Elba, was born in Clinton county in 1825, and came to this
county in 1834 ; is a farmer and also keeps the Torrance Cottage. His wife, Betsey C. Hewitt,
was born in this county in 1881. They were married in 1851, and have two children; N, H.
and H. C. Torrance.
Ware, Judson C, p. o. North Elba, was born inKeene in 1842 ; is a farmer ; has been con-
stable, collector, supervisor, and assessor for his town and is now sheriff for Essex county.
In 1870 he was married to Carry A. Brewster, and they have two children : Edward and Ver-
non Ware. Mr. Ware was in the last war for four years, serving in Company K, 96th Regiment.
Washburn, J. C, p. o. Saranao Lake, was born in Wilmington in 1840 and came to Saranac
Lake in 1882 ; is a painter; was married in 1882 to Celia Thayer, and they have one son, Halsey.
White, Carlos H., p. o. Keene Valley, was born in this county in 1849. Has been town
collector and commissioner of excise in North Elba; in 1874 was married to Polly Estes. Her
grandparents, Stephen and Hannah Estes, were among the early settlers of this county.
White, George G., p. o. North Elba, was born in Jay, Essex county, in 1856 ; is a farmer ;
is excise commissioner on his second term. Mrs. White was Elnor C. Miller, born in Essex
county in 1856. They were married in 1880 and have three children : Harry M., Laura E. and
Bertha A. White.
Williams, George, jr., was born in Clinton county in 1854, and came to Saranac Lake in
1873. He is a mason. His wife was Rosana Riley, born in Harriettown in 1854. They were
married in 1875, and have three children.
Wood, Benjamin, was born in Jay in 184'2 ; is a farmer, carpenter and mason ; atss married
in 1865 to Jane Benham, and they have four children. Mr. Wood was in the late war, serving
in the 77th N. Y. Regiment.
Woodruff, R. E., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in the town of Lewis, Essex county, in 1841,
and came to Saranac Lake in 1866; has been supervisor in the town of St. Armand, also in the
town of Harriet ; is a hotel and boarding-house keeper. His wife, who was Anna E. Rice, was
born in Vermont in 1842, They were married in 1871, and have two children : Alice and
Mina H. Woodruff.
Wright, A. S., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in the town of Ticonderoga, Essex county, in
1853, and came to Saranac Lake in 1884. He is a self-made man. having worked his way
unaided to his present independent position. Ancestors came from North Ailams, Mass., to
Ticonderoga in 1792, when the country was new ; father lost his life at Chantilly, Va.. 18G2,
was a member of the 5th New York Cavalry ; young Wright, then a mere child, thrown on the
world, worked his way out, graduated at Fort Edward Institute, 1876; he is an architect and
builder; his wife was Josie Hanchett, born in Elizabethtown in 1860; they were married in
1879, and have two children.
SCHROON.
CRAWFORD, JOHN AND ELIZABETH, were natives of County Fermannah, Ireland, and
emigrated from the Emerald Isle to Canada. In the year 1843 they came to Elizabethtown,
Essex county, where they lived until 1851, when they removed to Schroon, where they settled
permanently. Mr. Crawford died July 28th, 1882. His children were Thomas, who was killed
at the second battle of Bull Run ; James, living at Schroon ; William Henry and John, both
deceased ; John R., of Schroon; Ellen E., now Mrs. Julius Smith, George W., of Clinton county,
and Walter A., still of Schroon.
Drake, Peter, settled with his family at Crown Point in Essex county about the year 1795.
Mr. and ilrs. Drake had four children : David, the oldest, married Sally Bigelow, and reared a
family of eight children ; his son, Amos B., married Lucinda, daughter of Timothy Chellis, of
726 History of Essex County.
North Hudson, and settled in Schroon. Their children were Harvey J., of Schroon, Sarah Jane
(now Mrs. Harrington), of Grown Point, Orlando, who was killed in a skirmish with the guer-
rillas in 1863, Emeline Cordelia (deceased), Eliza, Lyman C. (a merchant of Ticonderoga), Fidelia
(deceased), and Mott 0.
Ford, James, was born at Stillwater, Saratoga county, October 19th, 1799; he was twice
married, first to Eliza Ford; they had three children, two of whom, Melinda E. and Sarah Ann,
were born in Saratoga county; G-eorge was born in Schroon. After the death of his first wife
James married Polly Everett, of Schroon ; they had two children : John and Samuel. Melinda
Ford is now Mrs. Benjamin Tripp, and Sarah Ann is Mrs. William Mends. G-eorge married
Lydia Richardson, and John Pamelia Taylor. Samuel, the youngest son, lives at Sugar Lake,
Pa. The sons and daughters born to G-eorge and Lydia Ford are as follows : Fred L., Fletcher
0., James B., G-eorge T. James and George T. are both deceased.
Hall, David, and his wife, with two children, Elijah B. and Lenora, came from Massachusetts
about 1814 and settled in Schroon township, near the foot of Charley Hill. Their other chil-
dren, born in Schroon, are as follows: Lester, Jacob C, William H., Lucretia, David C, and
Joel.- Through the effort of William H. Hall, the post-office at South Schroon was established
and he held the office of postmaster for seven years.
Hayford, Alvin, was born April 18, 1805, and died January .5, 1884 ; came from Warren
county in 1834 and settled in Ticonderoga ; he had one son, James Lewis Hayford, who married
Matilda Crawford, of Schroon. They had one child, Alvin L. His wife is Keziah Vaughn.
Their children are: Alvin Erastus, Eveline K., James L., Albert, Edwin F., Marion, Ellen, Jane,
Harriet M., Myron, Irving, Levi and Marietta.
Huntley. Among the early settlers of Schroon was Stallin Huntley, who came into the
county about 1800 and (Settled with his family near the head of Schroon lake. His children
were Alvin, Crara, Almira, Dorcas, Luman and John. Alvin married Phebe Butler, and their
children were Almon, James L., Mary L., Keziah L., Seth B., Martha Ann, Philander T., and
George W. James L., the second son, was twice married, first to Mary, daughter of Miles
Traver, and after her decease to Achsah Huntley, of Minerva.
Letson, Samuel, of County Antrim, Ireland, came to Essex county and became one of the
pioneers of Moriah. His wife was Alice Kalm, also a native of Ireland. Their children were
Mary Ann, who married Richard Blair, William (deceased), Thomas, who married Sarah Sten-
son, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Michael Curran, Samuel, married to Rose Sage, of Crown Point. Sarah,
James and Jane are aU deceased.
Lockwood, Clark, came to Schroon township in 1809, and cleared sufficient tiraljer lands for
the erection of a building to accommodate his father's family on lots Nos. 8 and 9 of the Road
Patent. In March, 1810, Jeremiah, father of Clark, came to Schroon and built on these lots.
His family consisted of his wife and four boys, Leander, Clark, Abel and Jeremiah. Clark
married Sarah Tombs, and he died in August, 1814; they had one child, Linus C. Lockwood,
born in 1813.
Pitkin, Russell, and his wife were natives of Vermont. They cariie to Schroon township
about 1820 and bought private lands near Charley Hill. Their oldest son, George, was born in
Vermont. The other children, born in Schroon : Philo, Jerome, Abigal, Maria, Myron C, John
and Eleanor C. Philo, the oldest of these, was twice married ; first, to Sophia Richardson, of
Schroon township, and afterward to Eliza Persons, of Warren county.
Powell, Charles, is the youngest child of Samuel and Susanna Powell. He was adopted by
the family of Benjamin Bowker, and has ever since been known as Charles Bowker; was born
in Schroon township. He was the second person in Schroon to enlist as a volunteer in the late
civil war ; was at first rejected on account of his extreme youth, but afterwards succeeded in
becoming a soldier of the famous Hawkins Zouaves, Co. E, 9th N. Y. Vols.
Richards, Joseph, was born in Connecticut in 1780 and died Feb. 27, 1853 ; was a native of
Vermont and one of the first settlers of Essex county ; he came to Schroon in 1803. His wife
was Lydia Wooster, of Vermont, born Oct. 22, 1788, died Nov. 8, 1825. Their children were
Orilla, born April 6, 1805, died Sept. 25, 1837 ; Maria, born Aug. 15, 1807, died Oct. 23, 1825 ;
Orson, born Aug. 13, 1811, died Sept. 4, 1879; Hoel S., born Feb. 3, 1814, died Jan. 22, 1878;
Hester A., born Nov. 18, 1816; Carohne M., born Sept. 30, 1820, died June 21, 1841; Lucretia,
born Feb. 1, 1823, died June 7, 1847. Hoel S. married Prudence, daughter of David Bartlett,
of Essex county ; their children are Mary Helen, now Mrs, Freeman N. Tyrrell, of Schroon,
and Sylvia Ann, the wife of Egbert Dunn, of Schuylerville. The children of Mary H. and
Freeman H. Tyrrell are Hoel R. and Florence.
Smith, Abijah, a pioneer of Essex county, was born Nov. 25th, 1762. His wife, Keziah
Botsford, was born March 18th, 1767. They were married May 5th, 1792. Their children
Brief Personals. 727
were Abner, born April 16th, 1793, died March 15th, 1821 ; Ezra B., born Oct. loth, 1794, died
March I5th, 1881 ; Abijah, born May 6th, 1796, died Oct. 16th, 1870; Jacob, born Jan. 7th,
1798, died Feb. 23d, 1799 ; Mary, born Sept. 10th, 1799, died in 1875 ; Othniel, born Deo. 12th,
1800, died Sept. 28th, 1881 ; Jacob 2d, born Dec. 5th, 1802, died March 16th, 1883 ; Hepsibeth,
born Sept. 5th, ISO-t ; Ann Keziah, born March 3d, 1806, died May 13th, 1836 ; Peter Hornbell,
born Jan. 14th, 1808; Eh B. born May 24th, 1829; Albert, born Jan. 21st, 1811.
Smith, Amasa, was born in Vermont, Aug. 20th, 1781. He came with his wife to Crown
Point in 1825, and in Jan. 1832, the family moved to and settled in the southern part of Schroon
township. Their children are ilartha B.., born Jan. 24th, 1810 ; Caroline, March 5th, 1812 ;
Amasa, Jan. 14th, 1814; Caroline 2d, Jan. 9th, 1816; Emily, March 18th, 1818; Alfred, April
9th, 1820; James R., Aug. 2d, 1822; Alanson, March 18th, 1825; Luther, March 20th, 1827;
Martha Jane, Oct. 9th, 1832 ; Zeiphina M., Oct. 24th, 1834. Martha J. married Frankhn War-
ren and had five children, viz. : Arthur W., Laura A., Emerson A., Ida F., and Alfred B.
Smith, Daniel, was born in the State of Vermont and came to Essex county in March, 1801 •
His son Hiram, then being but six weeks old, was taken into the family of G-eorge Moore, a
pioneer Uving near Schroon river. At the age of nineteen he married Laura Powell, daughter
of William Powell. They had nine children, viz. : Harrison, now living on the Alder Meadow
tract ; Luciha, who married Oliver Knox ; Adaline, now Mrs. Henry Daniels ; Abial, who lives
in California ; Martin, Lyman and George, all of whom reside in Schroon township. Daniel
died at the age of nine years and Laura is now Mrs. Nathan Brooks.
Smith, Jacob, of Schroon, was born Deo. 5, 1802; married Lurana Warren. Children:
James and Jason, twins, born Oct. 16, 1829 ; Edwin A., born Aug. 27, 1831 ; Peter H., born
May 14, 1834; and Mary Arvilla, born Oct. 11, 1836. James, Jason and Peter H., are all de-
ceased. Mr. Smith's parents were Abijah and Keziah Smith. Edwin A. Smith married Anna
Dresser, July 4, 1857. Children : Truman 0., born Feb. 16, 1858 ; Chloe E., born July 25, 1863 ;
Clara E., born Aug. 6th, 1875 ; Truman 0. married Libbie Lowell, Deo. 22, 1880. Children :
Edith L.', born Dec. 20, 1882 ; Chloe E. married Lee B. Garfield, July 4, 1883.
Smith, Reuben, was born at Crown Point about 1815, removed in 1844 to Schroon where
he settled in the north part of the township. His wife was Harriet Gray, and they had two
children, one only of whom survives : Reuben A. (deceased), Luther is still livmg.
Stanard, Daniel, and his wife, Sophia, were natives of Vermont. They came to Schroon
township and settled near Hoffman in the year 1822. Several of their children are deceased.
Those living are Charlotte, now Mrs. John Huntoon; Mary, Mrs. Samuel Brown, of Hoffman;
Harriet, Mrs. Milo Washburn, of Indian Lake, N. Y., and Joseph.
Stoel, Charles, was born in the vicinity of Paradox lake, Essex county ; was married to
Ann Eliza Scott, of Schroon, and they settled in the southern part of the township, near the
Warren county line. Of their children two only are living : Betsey, wife of James Ross, and
Francis, married to Clara Phillips. Mr. Stoel's father was John Stoel, one of the pioneers of
Essex county. Others of his sons still live in the vicinity, but as a matter of taste spell their
name Stowell instead of Stoel.
Stoel John was born in Clarendon, Vt., in 1802, and came to Essex county in 1809. His
wife was Diantha Garfield. Children : Elizabeth, born April 16, 1829, died June 17, 18a7 ; J.
Sumner, born Jan. 17, 1831; Byron D., born March 29, 1833, died Nov. 5, 1864; Abigail, born
Aucr. 28th, 1835, died March 14, 1856 ; Hannah, born Oct. 29, 1837 ; George, born Aug. 28,
1839; Diantha M., born Dec. 17, 1841; Adelaide, May 5, 1846.
Tyrrell Benajah wa.« a native of Rensselaer county, N. Y., and settled in Schroon in pio-
neer days.' His wife was Rosamond Hermon. Of their two children, Samuel lives "in Schroon
and Charles died at Alexandria, Va.
Tyrrell Rila, son of Benajah and Rebecca Tyrrell, was born in Massachusetts, on the 9th of
June 1790 and' came to Schroon about 1805. His wife was Harriet Jones, of Schroon. Har-
riet Jones 'was born in Vermont, July 4, 1797. Their children were : Valorus, born Dec. 3,
1815 died Deo 4 1838; Elmira, born Aug. 27, 1817; Hannibal, born Feb. 21, 1820 ; Philander
B born June 17, 1822 ; Joel P., born Feb. 16, 1825 ; Rila, jr., born July 4, 1827 ; Benajah,
born Sep 5 1829; Harriet, born January 19, 1832 ; Carohne, born March 26, 1834; Albert J.,
born July 2*2, 1836 ; Freeman N., born Nov. 13, 1838; Juhus J., born April 13, 1841.
Warren Erastus, was born in Connecticut, came to Essex county with his father and set-
tled near South Schroon in 1810 ; wife, Hepsey Mason. Their children were Roxanna, Betsey,
Laura Ann Franklin, Edwin and Edgar (twins). .Mr. Warren's father was Aaron Warren of
Connecticut. Besides Erastus he had three other children, viz. : Aaron, jr., Zylpha and Lurana.
Whitney George, settled in South Schroon in 1801. He was a native of Connecticut. His
children Eseck, Cyrus, and Delilah, came with the family. Their other children, Chauncey,
728 History of Essex County.
Celia, Ira, Marcia Ann, Betsey, Lansford, George il. and Edward, were all horn in Schroon.
George M., married Olive Baker, of Schioon. They had four children : Celia, Charles C. Hal-
sey B., and Libbie, all of whom still live in Schroon.
Young, Chas., a native of Vermont came to Schroon in 1827. His family consisted of his
wife, Mary Young, and five children: Lyman, Louisa, Albert, John and Lydia, all natives of
Vermont. Mary is novtf Mrs. William Parker ; Sylvia is Mrs. Luther Smith ; Louisa married
Chauncey Stannard, and their children were Sarah Jane, Betsey, Mortimer, Charles and Mary.
LEWIS.
BANKER. JOHN K., of Lewis Center, was born in Plattsburg, Clinton county, N. Y.,
August 2d, 1830. Is a successful farmer and owns 103 acres at Lewis Center. Worked
at the iron business from twelve years of age to within two years, made iron first, commenced
hammering at fifteen years of age, hammered iron thirty-eight years ; then settled down to
farming. Has been justice of the peace at Lewis for about ten years ; takes a hvely interest in
local matters and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Banker was married January
13th, 1849, to Mary A., daughter of Edmund and Millie (Stoves) Soper, of Perue. Her ances-
tors on her mother's side were French, her grandfather being a soldier in the Revolution. Mr.
and Mrs. Banker have raised a family of three children : Edmund E. (married to Emma Signer),
of Saranac, Loyal (married to Jennie Bowdish), and Mina P., now Mrs. Myron A. Buck, of
Clintonville. Mr. Banker's parents were Ezra and Sallie S. (Kent) Banker, natives of Platts-
burg. They raised a family of nine children. Six of their sons were Union soldiers of the
Rebellion, two of whom died in the service.
Bartlette, George, was born in the town of Jay October 22d, 1852. He is one of the self-
made men of Lewis. Thrown on his own resources at a very early period, he has gained a
prominent place in the community both as a farmer and a citizen. He located in his present
home near Elizabethtown in 1876. He owns 170 acres of land. Was married December 31st,
1867, to CorneUa, daughter of Chester ilcAuley, a jobber in coal and lumber at Schroon lake.
They have six children : Cora, Eva B., Helen M., Jessie L., Francis H. and Bernice E. Mr.
Bartlette's father was Ithamer Bartlette, a blacksmith.
Beardsley, Samuel S., a farmer of Lewis, was born October 6th, 1823, on the present home-
stead. His father, Eliphalet Beardsley, was a root and herb doctor. April 3d, 184-7, Samuel
was married to Miss Betsey, daughter of James and Betsey (Poor) Fuller. !Mr. Fuller was a
native of Kingsbury, Washington county, N. Y., but lived for many years in Queensbury, War-
ren county. Of their seven children Mis. Beardsley is the youngest. Children: two sons and
one daughter, James and Samuel S., jr., and Ida, who married Willett W. Woodruff. They went
to California, where she died in 1872, leaving one son, who died, and a daughter, Minnie M.,
who, since her mother's death, is a member of Mr. Beardsley's family.
Beardsley, Z. C, was born in Lewis March 1st, 1832 ; is a farmer and owns 300 acres
located in the east part of the town ; is one of the assessors of the town and has held other
local offices of trust. April 25th, 1870, Mr. Beardsley married Eltha, daughter of Jeremiah
Woodruff; of Lewis. Children six, viz. : Louise. Winslow, Harry, Maggie, Kittie and 0. K.
(O. K. is the only name he has). Mr. Beardsley's parents were Eliphalet and Mutual (Rolph)
Beardsley. He was a physician and emigrated from Connecticut; had an extensive practice
throughout this locality. He raised a family of ten children, all of whom lived to maturity.
Blood, Charles L., was born at Elizabethtown September 10th, 1821. He is one of the
prominent farmers of Lewis and represents one of its oldest families. His wife is Elvira, daugh-
ter of Samuel Lee, and their children are Russell, u, mechanic, of Wadham's Falls, and Cliffm-d,
who is associated with the management of the farm at home. Clifford married Mary Haskins'
of Lewis Center, and they have one child. Bertha. Mr. Blood's grandfather, Robert Bloodj
came from Windsor, Vt., in 1806 and located in the present home of Charles. He was twice
married.
Boynton, Albert A., merchant, of Lewis Center, and supervisor of the town of Lewis, was
born September 26th, 1843 ; made farming his business until he entered the employ of W. R.
Derby as clerk at Lewis Center, and later as clerk for Thompson & Norton, of the same place.
Besides the office of supervisor, he has also held the offices of justice of the peace and clerk of
his town. His wife is JuhaB., daughter of Hiram and Emily (Morehouse) Parish, of Lewis.
They have one daughter, Mabel 0. ilr. Boynton's parents were Joseph and Thusa F. (Martin)
Boynion, natives of Vermont. Mr. Boynton, sr., was a man of public .spirit and business abil-
ity. He held the office of justice of the peace for many years ; also other local offices ; was
deacon of the Baptist Church of Willsborough.
Brief Personals. 729
Brabau, Alexander, was born in France, April 9th, 1828. His father, who was a farmer,
emigrated to Canada with the family in 1831. Alexander learned the trade of blacksmith in
Canada and came to Westport in 1850. He located at Wadham's Falls where he has since
resided. August 24th, 1848, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Frederick Shattuck, of Lewis.
Their children are !Mrs. J. Fisher, Emma, Eva, Mrs. Eugene Clark, Mary, Mrs. Aitkin Ducatt,
and Nellie, who died in 1882. M['. Brabau owns one of the finest staUions (Hamiltonian) in
the State ; weight 1400 lbs., 16 hands high, dark bay ; speed, 2:45 : has taken two premiums at
New York State fairs.
Bull, Page, a thrifty farmer of Lewis, was born May 6th, 1858, in Westport, Essex county,
N. Y. ; came to Lewis in 1883, and purchased a farm of 150 acres two miles southeast of Lewis
Center on the Boquet river. He 'was married June 11th, 1859, to Miss Eliza McGuire, of
Essex. Their children are Hosea, Harley, Sheridan, Mary, Almon, Page, George, Lila and
Flora. Xelson and Charles are deceased. Mr. Bull's father was Ephraim Page, a native of
the same State. They had four children : Mary A., Hosea (deceased). Alma (now Mrs. Am-
brose Lobdell), and the subject of this sketch.
BuUard, Joel, a native of Vermont, was born December 4th, 1832 ; is a farmer and owns a
farm of 100 acres about one and a half miles south of Lewis Center. Was married in 1860 to
Cleora Cobb, of Lewis. They have eight children, viz. . Fred E., Maggie C, Helen E., Francis
G., Lucy, Effie, Laura and Byron B. Maggie is Mrs. A. P. Perrill, of Vermont. Mr. BuUard's
parents were John and Hannah (Baldwin) Bullard. They came from Vermont and located in
the town of Jay, N. Y., in 1826, where Mr. Bullard pursued farming as an occupation. "Besides
Joel, they had eleven other children.
Burpee, Stephen, was the ancestor of the family in Lewis. He emigrated from Rutland
about the vear 1808 or 1810, and located on what has since been known as Burpee Hill, about
two and one-half miles west of Lewis Center. His family consisted of five sons and one
daughter, viz. : Sullivan, Cheeny, Sparrahawk, Lyman, Samuel, and Lucinda, who died at eight
years of age. The sous all married and settled on Burpee Hill. All died iu the order of their
birth and are buried in the cemetery at Lewis Center. Cheeny married Susan, daughter of
Obid Holcombe, one of the first settlers of Lewis. They are now represented by James L.
Burpee, a leading business man of Lewis Center. He has been several years engaged m mer-
cantile business, but for a year past has manufactured carriages and wagons. Has been super-
visor of his town eight years and held other local offices. He married Miss Ann Woodruff of
Lewis, who died in 1882. Besides James L., a brother, Obid, and sister, Betsey, still survive.
Burpee, Lyman, was born October 11th, 1798; married Emma, another daughter of Obid
Holcombe. They had six children : Lorenzo, Stephen A., Eudocia, Alva (deceased). La Rhette
L., Alva (also deceased). Lorenzo, Eudocia and La Rhette occupy the homestead of 200 acres.
' Burpee, La Rhette, is the youngest of the family of Lyman Burpee ; was born November
11th 1841- is a farmer and butcher of Lewis; his wife is Edna J., daughter of Samuel Ober,
professor of Mu.sic, formerly of Crown Point, N. Y. They have three children : Leon, Melvin
L. and William H.
Carson Anthony (deceased), was born in 1809 in County Calvin, L-eland, and emigrated to
America in 1850. He was a farmer by occupation and settled in Perue, Clmton county. He
afterward lived in Che.sterfield, Essex county, and from there removed to Lewis. He was
married in 1836 to Marv Crawford in the parish of Noble, L-eland, and she had four children
born in that country, viz. : Andrew, Mary A., Elizabeth and John. Another child, Robert,
was born in Chesterfield, and William in Lewis. John Carson is one 'of the most extensive
farmers of Lewi-s owns about 700 acres of land and is a member of the Lewis Center Congre-
gational Church; his wife is Jane, daughter of John Todd, of Lewis. They have one son John,
ir and two adopted children : Cora and William. Robert Carson, the fifth of the family, was
horn May 12th 1855, in Chesterfield ; is a farmer and owns 83 acres of land. His wife is
Martha daughter of James ilcAlvin, of Lewis. William, the youngest of the family, was
born in' Lewis December 15th, 1857; is one of the most enterprising farmers of the town and
the support of his aged mother. He owns 161 acres of land near Lewis Center.
Clark Naham, for sixty-five years a resident of Essex County, was born August 29tli, 1812,
in SDringfidd Vt' His father, Abraham Clark, emigrated from Vermont in 1816 and located
at Crown Point ; they afterward lived at Tioonderoga and Essex until 1868, when they moved
to T ewis with their son James M. Naham was married to Miss Phila, daughter of Asa Eggles-
ton of Port Henry, and they had three children : Almon T., James M., and Mary F., who died
Mav 9th 1868 Almon T. is a Congregational clergyman, of Parishville, St. Lawrence county,
NY ■ his wife was Miss Mariette, daughter of Russell Whitney, of Westport. They liiive
fire children • ilmon T., jr., Susan A., Maud E., Paul and Harvey F. James M. purchased his
pre-ent home of 137* acres in Lewis in 1838. May 10th, 1868, he married Mary J., daughter
730 History of Essex County.
of James Haskins, of Essex. They have five children : Elmer J., Richard A., Mary E., Charles
H. and Margaret E.
__^Coonrod, John, was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, October 10th, 1809, and has been
^iSce 1824 a resident of Lewis; is a farmer and owns 900 acres of land. His wife is Isabel,
daughter of James Smith, of Essex town. Of six children four are living, viz. : George, Emery,
Le Eoy and Delia. His father, George Coonrod, came to Elizabethtown from Schoharie
county about 1819, and to Lewis in 1824, where he died.
Cornwright, WiUiam H., one of the representative farmers of Lewis, is a native of the Isle
of Wight, where he was born May 16th, 1840. He came to America with his mother about
1841 ; is a farmer, owns 160 acres of land and a house at Lewis Center; has held the offices of
constable and inspector of elections. In 1861 Mr. Cornwright enhsted in the 38th N. Y. Tol.
Infantry, served his time, two years, and re-enlisted in the 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, where
he served until the close of the war. He received one injury at Hart's Island. December 20th,
186.8, he was married to Miss Esther, daughter of Stephen Hathaway, of Lewis. Children six :
William H., jr., Mary E,, Susan ,E., Frank A., George E., and Grover Cleveland, who was born
on the day of Cleveland's election to the presidency of the United States. Mr. Cornwright
notified Mr. Cleveland of the happy event after his inauguration and received his autograph
acknowledgment ^vith a picture of the White House. Mr. Cornwright's parents were William
H. and Jane (Dash) Cornwright. His father died on the Isle of Wight and his mother emi-
grated to America, where she was again married to Mr. Edward Cutting, of Albany.
Cross, Benjamin (deceased), was born in Clinton county, N. Y., October 4th, 1825 ; removed
to Westport in 1842, and in September of that same year married Julia Folter. daughter of
Charles H. and JuUa (Baker) Folter. Children seven : Edgar, of Eutland, Vt., Silas P., William
Albert, Mary (now ilrs. Alexander MoDougall), Ida M. (now Mrs. Orrin Muzzy), and Joseph A.
Charles Folter was a native of Hanover, Germany, and a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte.
He received his honorable discharge in 1816. Mr. Cross was a member of the 5tli N. Y. Cav-
alry, in which he served until the close of the war. He received wounds from the effects of
which he died December 8th, 1881. His son Edgar enhsted at sixteen years of age and served
three years ; was in 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Mrs. Cross owns the homestead of 100 acres.
Cross, Freeman L., was born January 8d, 1860. He is one of the young and thrifty farmers
of Lewis, and owns 115 acres of land on lot 46. February 2d, 1880, Mr. Cross married Miss
Kate, daughter of Aaron and Rose (Reynolds) Van Orman. They have one son, Howard.
Mr. Cross's parents were Levi H. and Sarah N. (Clark) Cross, both natives of New Hampshire.
They first located in Lewis in 1840.
Cross, Thos. J., jr., is one of the reliable and substantial citizens of Lewis; is a native of
the town, was born June 6, 1835. His wife was Betsey E., daughter of William Daniels, of
Lewis. They have three children: Gifford W., Lucy E., and an infant son. Their farm con-
sists of 100 acres. Mr. Cross's father, Thos. Cross, jr., was married in 1833 to Esther Brumley ;
is an early settler of the town and a native of Grafton, N. H.
Crowningshield. The Crowningshield family is one of the most ancient and numerous in
Lewis. They are of New England ancestry. Comfort Crowningshield was the first settler in
Lewis and came here prior to 1799 from Duchess county. He located on the north branch of
Boquet river, where he conducted a successful business in lumber. Roswell, Russell, and John
are his grandsons. Roswell was born on the homestead June 22, 1826. He is a lumberman by
occupation ; has been twice married, first to Rosannah Perry, of Lewis; she died leaving three
children, of whom Hezekiah only survives. For his second wife Mr. Crowningshield married
Ellen, daughter of Henry Johnson. They have two children : Seth and Myrta. Seth is the
miller at Lewis Center and also owns a farm of 100 acres. Russell Crowningshield lives adjoin-
ing the homestead where he was born Deo. 26, 1828. Is a farmer and ownb 117 acres of
land. In 1862 he enlisted in the 96th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, and was engaged in many of the
severest battles of the Avar, viz.: Yorktown, Wilderness and Williamsburg; was married in
1855 to Annie Chase, of Willsborough ; she died, leaving two children: Henry and Johanna
(now deceased). His present wife is Sarah Kinney, of Willsbor-ough. They have three child-
ren : Alma, Elmore, and Warren. John Crowningshield is the youngest of his father's family ;
was born May 13, 1839; is a farmer and still occupies the homestead of 198 acres. Oct. 26,
1869, he married Melvina, daughter of James and Persis (Feltt) Bowin. They have one
daughter, Lila. Silas, next older than John, lost his life in the defense of his country in the bat-
tle of the Wilderness. Jane, Ruby, Eliza, Henry, and James all live in Lewis. Charlotte, the
youngest and wife of Frank Van Ornam, lives in St. Paul, Minn. Barnet Crowningshield is a
representative of another branch of the family ; was a son of James and Sallie (Davis) Crown-
ingshield; was born Aug 3. 1833. He still occupies his father's homestead. In 1862 he en-
listed in Co. F. 118th N. Y. A'"ol. Infantry and served until June 1864, when he received an
Brief Personals. 731
honorable discharge; his wife is Hannah J., daughter of Edmimd Reynolds, of Willsborough.
They have three children: Emmet Aaron, and Ellen F.
!; Cutting, Edward, was born in Albany Jan. 6, 1850: is one of the enterprising young farmers
of Lewis and owns 70 acres of land. Wife, Jane Hathaway, of Lewis. Children one, John E.
Mr. Cutting's parents were Edward and Jane (Dash) Cutting. Their family consisted of eight
•children, of whom Edward is the oldest. Of their other children, G-eorge is a resident of Lewis ;
Mary J. is Mrs. George Wescott ; Eliza is single ; James and Charles are twins ; Jno. and Clar-
€nce were the two youngest.
Daniels, WiUiam, was born in Willsborough Aug. 10, 1822 ; learned the trade of bloomer
and followed it for many years, but is now a farmer and owns a farm of 40 acres at Stower's
Forge; was married Sept. 3, 1843, to Lucy, daughter of Ahira Perry, of Onondaga, N. Y.
Children eight : Lucy M., William A., Phoebe Matilda, Harry K., Asa F., Betsey, Abial, and
Grace, all living in Essex county. Mr. Daniels's father was Benager Daniels, a native of
Sparta, N. J., and a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812. William is the olde.st of a family of
seven children.
Davis, George, son of Burton and Sarah (Slaughter) Davis, was born March 19, 1833, at
Lewis. He is an enterprising farmer. In 1856 he was married to Celinda, daughter of Daniel
Whittamore, of Lewis. Children three: Chas. W., Nellie M., and Ada A. Mr. Davis was a
soldier of the Rebellion, a member of the gallant 118th N. Y. Vol. Lifantry, Company F. He
enlisted in Aug., 1862, and served until the close of the war. His regiment was engaged in
twenty -one severe battles, some of them the hottest of the war. Mr. Davis's great-uncle was
a soldier of the Revolution under General Washington's personal command, and witnessed his
farewell to his army. Mr. Davis now has his great-uncle's canteen which was carried
through the Revolution. It is a small wooden keg bound with iron hoops.
Demmon, Benjamin F., was born in Washington county, Vt, Feb. 13, 1835; in 1855 moved
to North Elba, Essex county, N. Y., and in 1881 removed to a farm about three-quarters of a
"mile from Lewis Center, where he has since resided. The farm consists of about 300 acres of
land. Was married March 13, 1848, to Virana, daughter of William and Mahssa (Cottrell)
Weeks, of North Elba. They have one son, David. Mr. Demmon is a Repubhcan in politics
and a member of the M. E. Church. His parents were Alpheus C. and Almira (Farrand) Dem-
mon, who emigrated from "\'ermont to North. Elba, Essex county, in 1855. They raised a
family of four children, three of whom live in North Elba. They are Alma, now Mrs. Leander
Thompson, Julia, now Mrs. Frank Thompson, and Sarah, now Mrs. Henry Allen.
Denton, Chauncy, one of the ambitious citizens of Lewis, was born February 23, 1842 ; has
been twice married, first to Miss Elvira, daughter of Willard Simons, of Miggsville, N. Y. They
had three children : Willard A., Lillie M., and Frank 0. Mr. Denton's present wife is Ida,
■daughter of Alexander M. Benton, of Elizabethtown. They have one son, Irving L. Mr. Den-
ton was a member of the 118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, Co. F; served three years; was wounded
in his left leg at the battle of Fort Harris, and was discharged May 25, 1865. Mr. Denton's
parents were Alanson and Hannah (Davis) Denton. They had four sons.
Dickerson, Willis D., was born January 22, 1839 ; is a farmer and owns 200 acres of land.
Mr. Dickerson has been twice married, first to Miss Eliza A., daughter of WiUiam and Julia M.
<Singlehurst) Todd. Mrs. Dickerson died in 1870, leaving one son, John W. In September,
1871, Mr. Dickerson was married to Miss Diantha Coohdge, of Jay. They have four children:
Leon G., Willis M., Mary E., and Carrie E. Mr. Dickerson was a son of Joseph and Mary
(Wright) Dickerson. Weston A. Dickerson, also a son of Joseph and Mary Dickerson, was born
in Willsborough, April 27, 1848; is a thrifty young farmer and owns 67 acres of land about
two miles east of Lewis Center ; was married January 1. 1881, to Carrie, daughter of Robert
Parker of Lewis. They have one son, Marshall J.
Farnsworth, Lebanon (deceased), was a native of Lewis, born February 12, 1827. He in-
herited his father's estate of 260 acres on the Boquet river ; was justice of the peace and as-
sessor of the town for several years, and a deacon of the Baptist Church, Elizabethtown ; was
married December 2, 1857, to Catharine, daughter of Lee and Louise Prouty. Children, five hv-
ing: Floyd S., a physician; Elbertine (now Mrs. W. D. Macomber) ; Albert A., Katie, and Alice
R Mr. Farnsworth's parents were Asa and Abigal (Brown) Farnsworth, who came from New
Hampshire and after residing on the State road south of Lewis Center for a time, removed to
the place now occupied by Mrs. Farnsworth. Mr. Farnsworth died January 2, 1878.
Fish Augustus J., one of the thrifty farmers of Lewis, is a native of the town ; was born
April 2 1829 ; is the oldest of a family of seven children. In 1873 he was married to Mi.5S
Julia Burnham. They have four children : Mabel, Elda, Linda, and Hamilton. Mr. Fish's par-
■ents were Thomas and Levinia (Ballon) Fish. Another of their sons, Charles, is in Iowa, James
in Glens Falls, N. Y.; a daughter, Elviria, is Mrs. Alanson Lewis, of the town of Lewis. An-
732 History of Essex County.
other, Martha, is Mrs. Ira Lewis, of Keene, N. H., and Enieline occupies the homestead with
her brother.
Flagg, Ira, was born at Albury, Vt, Septembers, 1821, and came to Lewis in 1874; is a
ship-carpenter by trade, but of late years has turned his energies to farming; was married July
4, 18-54, to Catharine Doughty, of Poultney, Vt. She died April 24, 1878, leaving one son,
George H. Mr. Flagg's parents were Isaac and Asenith (Drew) Flagg. Mr. Flagg was a ho-
tel-keeper and after removing from Canada, located at Colwell's Manor, where he remained un-
til his death, which occurred in 1857. Of their seven children, Ira is the oldest.
Gardner, Aaron, is the affable and accommodating miller of Lewis Center. He is a native of
the town of Essex, was born August 7, 1838; learned his trade at Wadham's Mills and has pur-
sued it entirely within Esse.x County. He owns for a home 12 acres in Lewis known as the
old Fullis place. His wife is Clara, daughter of Daniel and Amey (Banker) Bulhs, of Lewis.
They have two children : a daughter, Elizabeth E., and a, son, Ambrose. Mr. Gardner's parents-
are "Richard C. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Gardner. He a native of New Hampshire, and she of
County Tyron, Ireland.
GofF, Nelson A. (deceased), wa=i a native of Vermont, born September 2, 1816; was a lum-
berman by occupation ; was married December 5, 1844, to Lucina, daughter of -Tared and Polly
(Austin) Nichols. He enlisted in 1861 in the 96th Regiment, Co. K ; was in the battle of Fair
Oaks and taken prisoner ; was in Libby prison two months and 14 days. His children were
Chesley, Jerry, Sylvester, Ashley, Augustus, Sylva, William, Nelson, and Phebe. Chesley was-
a soldier of the 96th New York Vol. Infantry and died at Newport News., July 24, 1862.
Jerry was a member of the 69th and was wounded in front of Peter.sburgh on picket and died
of his injuries ; Sylvester, Ashley and Augustus are farmers of Lewis ; Sylvester was married
ilarch 7, 1869, to Martena Bordman, of Willsborough ; they have two daughters, Flora and
Ada. Ashley married Phebe Marshall; they have two children: Bessie and Hubert; he lives-
on the old homestead; Augustus married Lucinda, daughter of John Hathaway, they have two
children ; William ma,rried Mary Nailer, of Addison. Vt., they have two children. Sylva is-
Mrs. Charles Greenwood, has one child ; Phebe is Mrs. Alfred Pratt, has two children, both res-
idents o£ Vermont ; Nelson also lives in Vermont. The family are thrifty and indu.strious and a
credit to the community.
Hathaway, Alonzo S., was born September 9, 18-52, is a farmer and occupies 117 acres of
laud. His wife is Mary E., daughter of Oliver Dodge, of Jay. They have two children, Ohver
and Rossy. Mr. Hathaway's parents were Stephen and Rosina (Densmore) Hathaway. Be-
sides Alonzo they had four other children, viz.: Albert, Carlos, Emergene, and Esther. Esther
is now Mrs. Henry Cornwright, of Lewis. Emergene is Mrs. David E. Dickson, of Pennsyl-
vania. Mr. Hathaway's grandfather was Josiah and his grandmother Kate (Haye.s) Hathaway.
His mother's parents were Amos and Susanah (Green) Densmore. Susanah's father, Uzziah
Green, was a soldier of the Revolution. Amos's father was Zebadiah Densmore, who died in
the War of 1812.
Hodgkins, Ednmnd 0., was born in his present home January 27, 1828 ; is a farmer and re-
sides on the homestead, he owns two large farms, one of 161 acres and the other of 118^-
acres; is a deacon and trustee of the First Congregational Chuich of Westport, and has held the
office of assessor of his town for six years. September 16, 1857, he was married to Elminie E.,
daughter of Kingsbury Stafford. They have six children living, viz.: Samuel S., Winfield S.,
Lavinia J,, Edmund J., Ezra K., and Elmina J. Mr. Hodgkins's parents were John and Dian-
tha (Prouty) Hodgkins, natives of Charleston, N. H., who came to Lewis in 1820, bringing-
with them one son, John F. They purchased 154 acres of land lying on the Boquet river in
the southeast corner of the town. Five children were born to them on this homestead: Lavi-
nia, Richard M., Edmond 0., Lewis W., and Samuel. Mr. Hodgkins died in 1881, aged ninety
years, and Mrs. Hodgkins in 1882, aged eighty-two years.
Hulbert, Lucius, was born May 5, 1790, at Newport, Vt. His mother died when he was
very young and he was adopted by an uncle, Jacob Sothwell, a maker of iron. ilr. Hulbert
worked in a forge from boyhood, both as maker of iron and hamraersman. His wife was Susan-
Davis, daughter of Robert Davis. They had twelve children, ten of whom are living, viz.: Lu-
cius, in Missouri : Robert, a farmer of Lewis ; Denni.s, in Wisconsin ; Charles and Leander, at
Ausable Forks; Daniel, a blacksmith ; Hiram, at Wilmington ; Huldah A. (now Mrs. Stephen
Kuigman); Eunice, widow of George Phelps; Sallie, widow of H. L. Flagg. Robert Hulbert,
who lives in Lewis, is the second son of Lucius Hulbert; was born August 31, 1818, in West-
port. August 14, 1843, he married Miss Isabelle McDougall. The had three children, only one
of whom is living, Lucius, who owns the homestead of 135 acres.
Jenkins, Levi G., a native of North Hudson. Essex county, was born February 22, 1837>
He occupies a portion of his father's homestead of 150 acres ; is present justice of the peace and
Brief Personals. 733
has held other local offices. For his first wife he married Eunice, daughter of Xathan Nichols.
She died July 29, 1873, leaving a son, Fred. Mr. Jenltins was again married, February 2, 1875,
to Mary Pulsifer, of Wilmington. They have three children : Lavinia, Harry, and Laura A.
Mr. Jenkins's parents were Schuyler B. and Sally (Nichols) Jenkins. S. B. Jenkins was born in
the town of Queensbury, Warren county, N. Y., February 14, 1804; his father's and mother's
names were Palmer and Phebe (Simpson) Jenkins. Sally was the daughter of Nathan Nichols,
who was born in Duchess county, October 10, 1773, and married Mary Reynolds in 1798. The
Nichols family were noted for their vigor and size. A brother of Sally, Nathaniel, weighed
400 pounds. A brother of Levi Gr. Jenkins, Orange F. Jenkins, served three years in the war,
a member of Co. F, 118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry; returned home and died in 1866 of disease con-
tracted in the war. Schuyler B. and Sally Jenkins had six children, four sons and two daugh-
ters, of whom five are now living. Their names are L. G., Martin T., Sarah E., Mary M., and
Nathan L., all living in the town of Lewis excepting Nathan L., who resides in the town of Ad-
dison, Addison couniy, Vt.
Johnson, John, is a native of Lewis, born June 1, 1861 ; is an enterprising young farmer and
owns 460 acres of land on lots 11, 13, and 16. His parents are Henry and Luoretia (Razie)
Johnson and live at Crown Point. They had a family of nine children of whom seven are now
living : Ellen (Mrs. R. Crowningshield), of Lewi.s ; Nettie (Mrs. Aaron Dickerson), of Lewis ;
Jennie (Mrs. Elbert Pattison), of Crown Point; Annie, (Mrs. John Grover), of Saranao; James
and Halsey, at Crown Point; and Betsey A. (now Mrs. William Bull), of MinneapoHs, Minn.
Keith, Alfred, was born in the town of Warren near Montpelier, Vt., Aug. 4, 1825. He is
of Scotch and English descent. He is a farmer and owns a foundry where he manufactures
agricultural implements. The foundry is propelled by water power and is located on bis farm
in the southern part of Lewis. Mr. Keith served his country during the Rebelhon, was a member
of the gallant 118th N. T. Vol. Infantry; serving three 3^ears until the close of the war, taking
part in several of the most severe battles. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Lawrence
Redman, of Peru, Clinton county, N. Y. Their children are Nelson R., Sarah E. (deceased),
James A. (deceased), Albert W., A. Henry, James M., Lucy (deceased), and Geo. R. Mr.
Keith's grandfather was Unite Keith, a soldier of the Revolution and a drum-major. After the
war he located at Sheldon, Vt., and did an extensive foundry business. He raised a family of
eleven children. James, the third son, was the fatlier of Alfred.
La Bell, Dr. M. J., is the physician of Lewis ; is a native of Canada and came to Lewis in
1879. Is a graduate of the Medical University of Vermont. Since locating in Lewis he has
huilt up a lucrative practice, and enjoys the confidence of the public. He is active in the social
affairs of the town. Has just built a new residence and office at the Center.
La Dieu, Chas., was born in Willsborough July 23, 1822. His father, Francis LaDieu, was
of French nativity and emigrated to America in 1808, where he married Catharine, daughter of
Joseph Shepard, of Clinton county, N. Y. Charles was married Jan. 1, 1842, to Matilda,
daughter of Louis and Matilda (Cross) Grenough. Mr, Grenough was born in Essex, N. Y.,
and for sixty years was a resident of Lewis. Mrs. La Dieu is a member of the Congregational
chui-ch of Lewis. Mr. La Dieu is a farmer and owns 100 acres.
Lambert, George, is one of the representative citizens of Lewis; was born June 21, 1812,
in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated in 1833. He served an apprenticeship as a weaver in
Eno-land, but being of 'an ambitious and independent nature, he decided to seek his fortune in a
land of ffieater opportunities. He landed in America without friends and with but ninety-four
<:ents in''money ; he worked on a farm in "\'ermont until 1834, when he purchased 50 acres at
Underhill Vt ; has spent about twenty years in the ministry, a member of the Champlam
Wesleyan Methodist Conference. Of late years he has been a Sabbatarian or keeper of the
seventh day. He came to Lewis in 1883, and located on Wells Hill, having previously lived in
the town of Keene, in E.ssex county, N. Y., for about thirty-five years. His wife was Adeliza
Sawtell, a native of Willistown, Vt. Mr. Lambert is one of the largest real estate owners in
Essex county.
Lee The name of Lee is among the most ancient of the town of Lewis. Noah and
Samuel' were two brothers who came from Farmington, Conn., in 1799, and located on lot No.
31 ■ Noah settling on the northeast corner, and Samuel on the southeast corner. They returned
to C'minei-ticut tlie following year and brought their mother (who was Johannah Johnson) and
two sisters Anna and Rodah, and their brothers, Charles J., SetU and Timothy. Charles J.
locited" on'lot 29, being tlie present home of C. H. and J. F. Nichols. Setli settled on the
southwest corner of lot 3), and Timothy eventually settled on lot 23, the present home of his
son Milford L. Lee. He and Chauncey (who is the son of Noah) are the only representatives
of the family in Lewis.
Lee Noah married in the town of Lewis in ISiifi Clarissa Nicholson, and she bad five
734 History of Essex County.
children : Clarissa, Sarah A., Julia B., Ralza (who died in 1839), and Chauncey Lee, who oc-
cupies the homestead.
Lee, Chauncey, was born Aug-. 25, 1820 ; married in 1865 Miss Amanda M. Wells, of Oak-
field, Wis., daughter of Joseph Wells. They have two children living: Irvin B. and Ella E.
Lee, Timothy, was born at Farmington, Conn., June 11, 1789; was married Dec. 27, 1815,
to Sarah Pratt, a native of G-ardner, Mass. ; born Nov. 1, 1796. He died Sept. 1, 1878, and
she Dec. 25, 1870. Soloman L (deceased), Laura L., Horace A. (deceased), William S., Leb-
beus, Evelyn M., Leander L. (deceased), Bernard A , Milford L. and Ralza S. (deceased) were
their children. Milford L., who owns and occupus the homestead, was born July 7, 1838.
July 10, 1874, he married Mary E., daughter of Alan^on and Sophia (Weston) Jones. He is a
navive of Vermont, and she of Ausable Forks, but then living in Jay. Mr. & Mrs. Lee have
four children : Adel, Gertrude, Lenoe and and Carrol. They are members of the Congregational
Church of Lewis.
Livingstone, James G., (Deacon), is a native of Hebron, Washington county, N. Y. ; same
to Lewis in 1818 and settled in his present home; was married Jan. 20, 1822, to Rosetta,
daughter of Roger H. Woodruff, one of the first settlers of the town. Of their three children,
only one now survives, Major La Rhette Livingstone, U. S. A., a graduate of West Point. Mr.
Livingstone's father, William Livingstone, was a native of Stillwater, Saratoga county, jST. Y.,
and his mother was born in Connecticut. They came to Lewis in 1817. Their family
consisted of four sons and four daughters; only our subject and a younger brother, Robert,
now live in the county.
McCalvin, Sidney, was born at Keeseville, Sept. 10, 1839. He is one of the thrifty farmers
of Lewis, owns a good farm of 128 acres and is respected by all who know him. He married
Miss Adeline, daughter of Jno. Stevens, of Keeseville, and located in Lewis. Children four :
Arniina, Lois, Alma, and Charles. Alma is now Mrs. Edwin Whittamore, of Lewis, and Lois is
Mrs. Irving Cross. Mr. McCalvin's parents were Jno. and Julia A. (Clough) McCalvin.
McGuire, Jno.. a representative farmer of Lewis, was born in Ireland in 1813. In 1836 he
emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, whence he proceeded directly to Lewis, where he
located on his present estate of 220 acres, lying about three miles .south of Poke-o-Moonshine
Mountain. In Aug., 1824, he married Miss Katharine, daugTiter of Thos. Jordan, of Schuyler
Falls. Children four: Barney, a merchant, Mike, a hotel keeper, Jno. and Mary E. Mr.
MoGuire has been justice of the peace of Lewis for twenty -f our ,gears. He is a first-class far-
mer and valuable citizen.
Marshall, WiUiam, was born April 15, 1819; is one of the representative farmers and busi-
ness men of Lewis ; owns 350 acres of land and also a saw-mill located on his farm. Has been
assessor and supervisor and held other local offices. His wife is Mary, daughter of Archibald
Parker. Mr. Marshall's parents were Elibeus and Elizabeth (Piatt) Marshall, who emigrated
from Connecticut to Lewis about 1803. They raised a family of twelve children, of whom
William is next to the youngest.
Miller, Fayette L., was born in Elizabethtown, Dec. 29, 1841. He is serving his second
term as school commis.'ioner of District Xo. 1, having been elected by a handsome majority of-
953 in the district and 103 in his own town. He is the owner of 200 acres of land in the south-
ern part of Lewis, on the Boquet i-iver. Mr. Miller mari-ied Miss Marcia, daughter of Leland
and Phoebe (Wait) Simmonds, of Elizabethtown. Children four living: Mattie V., Alfred C,
Anna, and Lizzie. His father, Charles Miller, was a native of Tioonileroga, and an iron manu-
facturer at Keene. His mother was Miss Sophia, daughter of Chas. Lee, one of the tirst settlers
of Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Miller, sr., had three sons and three daughters, viz. : Lavinia, Fayette
L., Elizabeth, Rhoda, Henry, and Monah H.
Mitchell, George D., is a native of Essex county and town of Essex. He was born Jan. 26,
1859. He is a farmer and owns 159 acres of land on lot 46, which he purchased in 1884. Aug.
8, 1878, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of Deacon Peter F. Nichols, of Lewis. They have
two children : Lynn and Madora. His parents were Andrew and Mary A. (Sartwell) Mitchell,
ilr. Mitchell, sr., was of Scotch origin, and Mrs. Mitchell came from New Hampshire.
Moore, Edwin, a thrifty farmer of Lewis, was born August 17, 1835, in Willsborough ;
owns 155 acres of land in Lewis. His wife is Sarah J., daughter of Daniel Palmer, of Wills-
borough. Children five: Frank, Ernest, Merton, Eugene, and Rudolph. Ernest is a farmer in
Vermont, and Merton is engaged in the same occupation at Willsborough. Mr. Moore's parents
were Dual and Susan (Hamilton) Moore. His grandfather was Stephen Moore who emigrated
from New Jersey to the town of Essex and latter to Willsborough.
Nichols, Andrew, was born at Crown Point, N. Y., July 19. 1817, and came to Lewis about
IS.'U. He at first engaged in the lumber business for Ransom Noble & Sons, but is now a far-
Brief Personals. 735
mer owning 215 acres of land. In 1839 he married Miss Jane, daughter of John Crowning-
shield, an old settler of Lewis. Children five living : Nelson, John, Jared, Mary, and Sophronia.
Ansel, another son, was a member of the 2d N. Y. Vol. Cavalry ; served six months, was taken
sick and died at Winchester, Va. Mr. Nichols's parents were Jared and Mary (Austin) Nichols,
natives of Crown Point.
Nichols, Charles, and John, are sons of Rowland Nichols. They are farmers and occupy the
homestead of their father. Charles was married ,to Sarah Williams, daughter of Samuel Wil-
liams, of Elizabethtown, and has two children : Lizzie and William. John married Louise,
daughter of Alexander Mack, of EUzabethtown, and has two children : Harry and Edna. The
grandfather of Charles and John Nichols was Nathaniel Nichols, who was an early settler on
the present Jenkins estate. His three sons, Nathaniel, Rowland, and Isaac, located on farms
joining each other. Their children were Mary A., Elvira (deceased), Charles (deceased), La-
fayette, Edward, Johii, Ellen (deceased), Amana (deceased), Nathaniel (deceased), Charles and
John, who occupy the homestead. Mary A. married Erastus Lobdell, of Elizabethtown.
Nichols, Peter F., is a native of Westport, N. Y., was born September 2, 183'J. In May,
1860, he married Elvira, daughter of Eben Safford, of Lewis. Their children are Jennie, Lynn
C, Kirby S., Alfred H., and George R. Mr. Nichols is a deacon in the Congregational Church
of Lewis. His parents were Sylvester and Catharine (Youngs) Nichols. Mr. Nichols, sr., was
a farmer by occupation. He came to Lewis and located on the Pratt farm in 1848 ; was a
member of the M. E. Church of Elizabethtown, died August 2, 1879, leaving a family of five
children, viz. . George R., Alfred H., Julia S., Hattie P., and Peter P., the subject of this
sketch.
Norton, Mortimer, an enterprising merchant and native of Lewis Center, was born June
15, 1845. November 18, 1884, he married Miss Ettie, daughter of William Whipple, one of the
substantial farmers of Lewis. Mr. Norton's parents were WiUiam and Mary (Marshall) Norton.
They died when Mortimer was quite young and Mortimer, with his brother Arthur, found a
home with his uncle, ' William Marshall. He spent his early life on a farm and several years
later in Cahfornia, where he accumulated some means in the mining business. He returned to
Lewis in 1881, and commenced business as a merchant. Arthur M., his brother, was also born
at Lewi? Center July 6, 1847 ; was married February 14, 1873, to Miss Emma, daughter of
Cyrus Severance, of Lewis. Has spent several years in Dakota and the far West and has only
recently returned home and connected himself with the business of his brother Mortimer. A
sister of Mortimer and Arthur M. Norton is Mary, now Mrs. Martin Marshall, of New Russia,
Essex county.
Lewis, Alanson M., was born in the town of Lewis June 2, 1823 ; is a farmer and owns 100
acres. His wife was Alvira, daughter of Thomas Fish, one of the early settlers of Lewis. They
have one son, Adelbert. Mr. Lewis's parents were Henry and BHzabeth (Sheldon) Lewis.
They came to Lewis about 1809. They had several children, viz. : Roxie, Keziah, Almira,
Mary A., Alanson M., Elizabeth, George and Rosanna.
Lewis, Henry B., was born in Elizabethtown, March 31, 1830; is a farmer and owns 120
acres of land ; his wife was Rose Ann, daughter ot Lee Prouty, formerly of Langdon, N. H.,
and later of Lewis. Children two Uving: Etta, and Elton. Mr. l,ewis's father, Thomas Lewis,
was a farmer of Vermont, and his mother, Nancy (Wheelock) Lewis, was a native of Port
Henry, N. Y. Besides Henry B., they had two children : Alvira J. and Eliza Ann.
Perket Louis, a thrifty farmer of Lewis, was born in Canada August 25, 1828. His wife,
Flovey Sh'arrow, also born in Canada. Their children are Maggie, Francis, Philamon (now Mrs.
Charles Bassett, of Westport), Theodore, Odelia, Rosie, Oliver, and Charles. Mr. Perket's pa-
rents are Frank and Sarah Perket, of Canada, and of French parentage.
Ray Wesley G., was born August 19, 1840, in the town of Lewis. He was among the first
to enlist for the defense of the Union in 1861 ; was a member of the 28th N. Y. Vol. Infantry,
Company A • served three months and was honorably discharged for drsability. He draws a
pension His wife is Susan J., daughter of Thomas J. Enderton, of Niagara county, N. Y.
They have two children living : Anthony, and Philinda H. Mr. Ray's father was William P.
Ray a minister for forty years in Essex county. Besides Wesley G. there were in the
faini'ly Oscar B., and Sylinda H., who married Giles 0. Smith.
Bobbins Anson, was born in Craftsbury, Vt, January 21, 1841, and came to Lewis in 1855.
He is a farmer and owns 185 acres. He was a soldier in the 118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, Company
F • enlisted in August, 1802, and served about three years under Grant in Virginia and later
nder Butler; was engaged at Cold Harbor, and Drury's Bluff battles, and was wounded at
Petersburgh. ' His wife was Rachel, daughter of Richard Gardner (deceased), and for many years
I'ved at Lewis Center. Mr. and ilis. Robbins have seven children, viz. : Aslier, Ansel, Leon,
Florence Lizzie, Blanche, and Lila. Mr. Robbins's parents were Ansel and Elizabeth (Childs)
Bobbins,' both natives of New England.
736 History of Essex County.
Roberts, Samuel, was one of the pioneers of Lewis, having settled in the town about 1820.
He subsequently lived in the town of Moriah, Essex county, where he was born April 26, 1804.
July, 21, 1828, he was married to Ermina, daughter of George Lee. She died December 26,
1836, leaving five children: Lucy, George, Oscar, Duane, and Carlton now deceased. Mr. Rob-
erts was again married April 8, 1839, to Sarah, daughter of Noah Lee, of Lewis. Her children
are Dr. R. R. Roberts (deceased), who was a prominent physician of Westport and Lewis, J. L.
Roberts, a commercial traveler from Troy, N. Y., Austin M. (deceased), and C. Ermina, now
Mrs. D. W. Dougan, of Elizabethtown. William F., a farmer of Lewis, has for six years past
been a clerk of Saranac Lake House ; his wife was Miss Rosa Wakefield, of North Hudson,
Essex county.
Roscoe, Hudson (deceased), was a representative of one of the first families of Lewis. He
was born March 1, 1822, His estate consisted of 250 acres of land. July 14, 1850, he was mar-
ried to Abigail, daughter of Patrick Hines, of Lewis. Their children are Emma, now Mrs. Par-
idee Voran, of St. Johnsville, N. Y. ; Friend, who lives on the farm ; Ida (now Mrs. Charles
MoClinithen) ; Abby, Harry H., and Mary. Mr. Roscoe's father was James and his grand-
father, Stephen Roscoe, who emigrated from Poultney, Yt., and settled on the large tract of
land comprising the village of Elizabethtown, extending to and embracing the present Hudson
Roscoe estate which he retained and occupied as his estate. Hudson Roscoe died October 15,
1870.
Sargent, Alfred I., was born in Lewis Feb. 23, 1828. Is a farmer and owns 225 acres nicely
located between Lewis Center and Elizabethtown ; has been highway commissioner and assessor.
In 1858 Mr. Sargent married Anna, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Sheldon) Lewis, of the
town of Lewis. Children six, viz, : Lizzie, Etta, Medda, Dora, Anna, and Elbert. Lizzie is now
Mrs. William Baker, of North Elba, N. Y. Mr. Sargent's parents were Jacob and Sophia
(Finney) Sargent, natives of Vermont. They came to New York and located on a farm in the
town of Essex about 1810, bringing with them one child, Adaline, who married Stillman Pratt
and returned to Vermont. They removed to Lewis in 1812 where other children were born to
them, viz. : Jno. (who died in the army) ; Harriet, Mrs. Harley Clark ; Elizabeth, Mrs. A. B. Wil-
lard ; Alnora, Mrs. 0. H. Burpee ; and Alfred I.
Sawtell, J. W., of Lewis Center, is a native of Old Town, Maine ; was born Oct. 22, 1837;
is a lumberman by occupation. Mr. Sawtell, sr., was a soldier of the War of 1812 ; he was engaged
at Plattsburg and subsequently a major in the Old Town mihtary company ; has always been
an enthusiastic military man. He raised a family of twelve children, of whom Jerome W. is
second youngest. Jerome W. came to Lewis in 1876; has spent most of his life as a merchant. Owns
a farm near Lewis Center, and has held office in this town. He was married Nov. 1, 1860, to
Olive Davis, of Plattsburg. They have one daughter, Mary A., a, graduate of Plattsburg High
School and now a teacher.
Severance, Cyrus G., was born in Essex in Jan. 1822 ; has been twice married, first to Phoebe
M. Wardner, Oct. 9, 1847. She died Feb. 19, 1853, leaving Emma A., now Mrs. Arthur Nor-
ton, of Lewis Center, and Elva il., now Mrs. Ira Wakefield, of Lewis. In March, 1854, Mr.
Severance was again married to Mrs. Amey E. (Reynolds) Angler ; they have two sons : Wil-
liam A. and Chas. I. William, now of Lowell, Mass., was educated at Boston ; is skilled in the
execution of piano and vocal music, and also does repairing and tuning. Chas. I. is a farmer and
blacksmith, of Lewis. Mr. Severance's parents were Samuel and Susan (Warren) Severance.
Shattujk, Frederick (deceased), was in his day the most active and successful business man
of Lewis. He came to Lewis as a blacksmith in 1842, By perseverance, industry, and econ-
omy he became an extensive manufacturer of lumber and owner of vast quantities of real estate.
His birth place was Huntington, Vt. He was three times married, first to Miss Edith Mary
Evans. Their children ^xeve Mrs. Alex. Brabau, of Wackahamo Falls, and Mrs. Henry Jenkins,
of Boston, Mass. His second wife was Electa Holcombe, daughter of Obed Holcomb, of Lewis.
They had one daughter, Emily E., now Mrs. Edwin Dunton, of Lewis Center. His third wife
was Miss Sallie, daughter of Samuel Lee. Mr. Shattuok was seven years assessor of his town
and held other offices. He died Dec. 30, 1882.
Smith Orrin (deceased), was one of the pioneer physicians of Essex county ; was born in
Monkton, Vt., April 7, 1796; afterward lived at Bristol, Vt., and came from there to Essex in
in 1836. He was expert in his profession and had a practice second to none in the county. His
first wife was Parmelia Moore and they had four children : Henry C, of Chicago, being the
only one now living. Mrs. Smith died March 29, 1836. For his second wife Dr. Smith mar-
]-ied Sophronia, daughter of Friend and Elizabeth (Stagg) Adams, a wealthy and influential fam-
ily of New England. This marriage took place at Panton, Vt., Oct. 18, 1835. Mrs. Smith was
born at Addison, Vt., Jlay 31, 1815, and since her husband's decease has lived in retirement on
her estate near Lewis Center. Orrin A, Smith, her oldest son, was born May 10, 1837 ; is one
Brief Personals. 737
of the assessors and an influential citizen of the town. Friend, the second son, is in the U. S.
mail service at Chicago. William, who shares in the management of the estate, is a thrifty
farmer; was born Deo. 25, 1841. His wife is Alma J., daughter of Stillman and Adaline (Sar^
gent) Pratt, of Lewis. They have four children; Sylva S., Wm., jr., Inez, Francis, Friend,
and Grrover Cleveland, after President Cleveland.
Still, Henry W., an industrious young farmer of Lewis, is a native of Essex, born Sept. 19,
1860. Was married May 27, 1881, to Abbie, daughter of Horace and Martha Reynolds, of
Lewis. They have two sons : Burtis and Chester. Mr. Still's parents are Cyrus and Sarah
(Morehouse) Still, of the town of Keene. Mr. Still is a thoroughly reliable citizen and com-
mands the respect of all who know him.
Suprise, Benjamin, is one of the well-to-do farmers of Lewis. He was born in Canada, Jan.
12, 1836, and came to Lewis in 1854 ; is the owner of 100 acres of land in Lewis ; has served
as school trustee in his district. His wife was Julia A., daughter of Jno. Emnott. They have
four children: Eugene, Ella G., Benjamin, and Edwin.
Thompson, William, has resided in Lewis since 1832. He was born in county Cork, Ireland,
in 1814; has served his town (Lewis) as postmaster, county clerk, overseer of the poor, justice
of the peace and other minor offices. Was married April 10, 1836, to Miss Adela, daughter of
James WooUe, of Ausable Porks. They had five children, three of whom are deceased. Louise
is now Mrs. Rev. H. M. Bien, of Vicksburg, Miss.; La Rhette was a soldier of the 118th N, Y.
Vol. Infantry, Company F, and died in the service at nineteen years of age. William C. now
resides in Minnesota. Mr. Thompson's parents were George and Susanna (Dawson) Thomp-
son, who emigrated from Ireland in 1832. They were of Anglo-Saxon descent, and members
of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Wakefield, Ira, a thrifty farmer of Lewis, was born Jail. 30, 1835, at Newport, N. H. He
located in Lewis in 1863 ; is a farmer and owns 140 acres. Dec. 19, 1866, he married Eva,
daughter of Cyrus T. Severance, of Lewis. They have one adopted daughter. Mr. Wakefield
was a member of 118th N. Y. Vol. Infantry; served in the U. S. army for about three years
during the war, engaging in the many battles in which his gallant regiment participated. He is
a pensioner, ilr. Wakefield is a son of Ira and Prudentia (Wheeler) Wakefield, both natives of
New Hampshire.
West, Frank J., was born in Willsborough, Dec. 28, 1842. He is a farmer and owns 140
acres of land in Lewis; his wife was Mary D., daughter of George Webb, of Lewis, and they
have three children : Inez M., Clark R. and Edna A. Mr. West was a soldier in the War of the
Rebellion ; enlisted in 1862 in the 38th N. Y. Infantry and served two years. He engaged in
the first battle of Bull Run, was in front of Richmond, also at Fairs Oaks, Malvern HiU, m the
first and second battles of Fredericksburg, and others, making in all thirteen severe battles ;
was wounded at Williamsburg. Mr. West's parents were Joseph and Phila (Buck) West.
West, Geo. N., was born in Lewis, June 3, 1840 ; is a blacksmith; he first opened a shop at
Flackville and in 1879 came to Lewis; owns a well-equipped shop, is a first-class workman, and
also' owns 43 acres of land. Was married to Phelura, daughter of Silas Hayes, of Schroon River,
June 3 1876 Mr West's father was Jno. L. Lewis, for many years a resident blacksmith of
the town In 1861 ^Ir. West enlisted in Company A, 77th N. Y. V. Infantry ; was in the battle
of Fair Oaks, Richmond, Bull Run, and minor engagements. A brother, Henry, was in the
same regiment and fell before Fredericksburg.
Whinnle William, was born at FairHaven, Vt., July 23, 1822. He left his native home
and came to Crown Point in 1842, In 1852 he married Nancy Wheeler, a native of Shoran,
Vt and their children are George E., Bttie (now Mrs. Mortimer), Norton, of Lewis Center
and Nellie at home Mr. Whipple owns a farm of 150 acres. His parents were Joseph and
Anna (Hawkins) Whipple, both natives of Rhode Island. His grandfather, Ethan, was one of
the first settlers of Fair Haven.
Whitman Alvenus K., one of the substantial farmers and citizens of Lewis, was born m
■D n„r,ri nnnn'tv Vt Dcc, 9, 1825. He learned the trade of a bloomer which he followed for
m^nv veare bul is now a farmer owning 152 acres at Stower's Forge. His wife was Sarah A.,
H V,tPr nf'Ohauncey Slater, a farmer of Jay. Mr. Whitman has held office of collector and
other minor offices in his town. His parents were Benjamin and Mehitabel (Kilbourne) Whit-
man who came to Jay in 1826.
ivniiims Ran'iom was born in Troy, Vt, Jan. 29, 1835, and came to Lewis in 1872. His
^ . XL was Miss Marv Hart, who died Feb. 27, 1873. His second wife was Lavnna, daugh-
t fObediah Hitchcock. They had three children : Claron H., Mary S., and Nancy P. Mr.
Williams is a deacon of the Congregational Church of Lewis.
Wilson. Joseph, the popular proprietor of the Lewis House at Lewis Center, was born in St.
47
738 History of Essex County.
Lawrence county, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1827. His parents emigrated from Windsor, Vt., in 1833 and
located on lots 24 and 25, in the town of Lewis. Mr. Wilson is the third of eight children and
succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, where he lived until 1883, when he sold out and
purchased his present location. He has recently refitted the Lewis House throughout, render-
ing it pleasant and convenient for hotel and boarding-house purposes. His location in the heart
of the sporting region and on the State road renders his house easy of access. Sept. 14, 1856,
he was married to Sophronia, daughter of Simeon and Polly (Clark) Avery. They have two
children living: Ada E. and Henry C. Mr. Wilson owns considerable property at Lewis Center.
Woodruff, Ans^l W., was born in Lewis Dec. 25, 1832. In 1861 he married, in Lewis, Miss
Julia E., daughter of Cheney Burpee, of Lewis. She died in 1871 and he was again married to
Miss Amanda Rice, who died in 1881, leaving three children : Edith S., Susie M. (deceased),
and Clayton W. For his third wife Mr. Woodruff married Carrie R. Rice, of Schroon. They
have one son, Irving A. Mr. Woodruff's grandfather was Hooker Woodruff, who came here from
New England and located on the farm now owned by his grandson, Winslow W. Woodruff. He
raised a family of six children one of whom, Jeremiah R., is father of the subject of this sketch.
Another son, Winslow W. Woodruff, was born March 31, 1850 ; is a merchant of Lewis Center.
Aug. 20, 1885, he married Miss Marcia, daughter of William Brownson, of Elizabethtown. Mr.
Woodruff owns a homestead, and a flrst-class general store and is a successful business man.
ELIZABETHTOWN.
BROWN, F. A., was born in this town March 20, 1846 ; is a farmer and owns 460 acres of
land; has been town collector. His wife, whom he mariied Oct. 17, 1883, was Hila E.
Partridge, a daughter of Adolphus and Elizabeth (Nichols) Partridge, of this town. Mr. Brown's
parents were Levi D. and Lovina (Kneeland) Brown, natives of Lewis, Essex county and Mont-
gomery county.
GUdden, Geo. H., was born in the town of Keene June 12, 1831 ; is a farmer and owns 290
acres ; has been overseer of the poor for ten years. His wife, Juliette Calkin, is a daughter of
Benjamin and Urania (Kellogg) Calkin, natives of Vermont. Children two : Fannie A., now
Mrs. Joseph Houston (Mr. Houston is deputy county clerk of Essex county), and Hubert H.
Mr. Glidden's parents were Harry and Hila (Partridge) Glidden.
Laverty, Allen and William, children of William and Mary Ann (Stewart) Laverty. are
farmers and proprietors of the "Hunter's Home." They own 410 acres of land. Allen was
born in West Chazy, Clinton county, Oct. 31, 1830 ; William was born in Hemingsford, Canada,
in 1841. They came to Elizabethtown in 1865. Allen was married Feb. 1, 1866, to Mary
Riddle, daughter of Jno. and Pamilla Hardy, of Smith's Falls, Canada West. ' Children five:
James S., Jennie E., AmeUa M., Jessie A., Isabel H. Both Allen ■ and WiUiam Laverty were
soldiers in Co. H, N. Y. Ira Harris Guards.
Perry, Milo C, was born in Elizabethtown Oct. 26, 1844; is attorney and counselor at law ;
was admitted to practice in April, 1868. Has been justice of the peace, town clerk, under-
sheriff, jailor, and supervisor. Was married Aug. 28. 1873, to Sarah J. Fair, a daughter of
Edward and Mary J. (Preston) Fair, of this town. Mr. Perry's parents were Abijah, and Eliza
(Kellogg) Perry, natives of this town.
Scriver, Sidney and William, children of Edwin and Jane (Laverty) Scriver, are farmers
and own 140 acres of land. Sidney was born in Moriah Jan. 15, 1849. William was born in
Hemingsford, Canada, in 1853. They came liere with their parents in 1863.
Walker, Jno. S., was born in the town of North Hudson, Essex county, Sept. 19, 1843, and
came to Elizaljethtown in 1881 ; is the proprietor of the Pleasant Valley grist and feed mills.
Was married June 5, 1876, to Sarah Laverty, a daughter of William and Mary (Stewart) Lav-
verty, of Elizabethtown. Children three : Rosie L., Ralph H., and Lizzie M. Mr. Walker's
parents were Estes B. and Malissa (Pease) Walker, natives of North Hudson.
Wood, R. N., was born in Canada, Nov. 21, 1845; is a farmer and owns 2.55 acres; is con-
stable and collector. He came to Essex county in 1865. Was married Nov. 17, 1874, to Mary
A. Baiid, daughter of Robert and Nancy (Allen) Baird, of Elizabethtown. Children four living :
Elsie, Alice, Mary, and Robert. Mr. Wood's parents were Jno. and Elizabeth Wood natives
of Ireland, who came here in 1865.
KEESEVILLE.
AMES, SAMUEL (deceased), was born in Napiersville in 1824, and came to Keeseville in
1834 ; was a practicing lawyer and admitted in 1847 ; was afterward cashier of the
old Essex County Bank. In 1865 he was appointed attorney for the government to assist the
Brief Personals. 739
Hon. Robert S. Hale in investigating the claims for cotton destroyed during the war; in 1871
he was elected State Senator and Representative for the counties of Essex, Clinton and Warren ;
in 1871 he organized the Keeseville Bank, of which he was cashier until his death, which oc-
curred in 1875. June 22, 1848, he was married to Elizabeth Thompson, a daughter of Andrew
and Lucretia B. (Carpenter) Thompson, of Keeseville. Children three : Kate (now Mrs. C. P.
Aberill, of Chicago, 111.), Elizabeth, and William T.. of Chicago.
Haloombe, M. B., M. D., son of Ephraim and Mercy (Hill) Haloombe was born at Isle La
Motte, Grand Isle county, Vt., Oct. IS, 1850, and came to Keeseville in 1880. Is a graduate of
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 1879. Wa.-^ married June 22, 1881, to Maroia Stearns,
daughter of Nathan and Maria (Talcott) Stearns, of Brasher, St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
Children one, Frank. M.
Matthews, Herman 0., Keeseville, was born in Moorestown, Vt., and came to Keeseville
about 1829 or 1830, where he went into the tin and barter business with his brother, and soon
afterward went into the general mercantile business, in which he was very successful. He has
also been supervisor and justice of the peace. In the great fire of 1882 Mr. Mathews had six-
teen buildings destroyed. Was married in March 1846 to Robalina A. Sampson, daughter of
Lester and Elizabeth (Van Tine) Sampson. Children three : Alice (now Mrs. G-eo. H. Shattuok),
Geo. W., and Fannie H., of Keeseville.
Mould, Henry M., Keeseville, son of Willis and Amanda M. Mould, was born at West
Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, March 31, 1843, and came to Keeseville in 1850. In June,
1862, Mr. Mould commenced recruiting men for the army ; was mustered into the U. S. service
at Plattsburgh in Aug. and became second lieutenant of Company K, 118th jST. S. V.; was dis-
charged July 29, 1863, through sickness. Was formerly connected with his father in the drug
business until the death of the latter in 1883, since which time he has conducted it alone. Was
married to Salome Bushnell, daughter of Niles and Sophia (Brigham) Bushnell, of Keeseville,
Nov. 19, 1867. Children one, Fred W.
Rowe, F. A., Keeseville, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Chesterfield, Essex
county. May 28, 1853 ; was admitted to the bar in May 1876 ; has held office of supervisor and
iustice of the peace of Chesterfield. Was married May 11, 1880, to Minnie M. Wakefield, a
daughter of Dana and Almira A. (Simmonds) Wakefield, of Elizabethtown. Children one, Grace
E. His parents are Silas B. and Emily M. (Deyoe) Rowe, natives of this county.
Tallmadge, H. 0., M. D., Keeseville, was born in Glens Falls. Warren county, July 25,
1820, and came to Keeseville in 1846; graduated from Castleton Medical College of Vermont
in 1843 ; was appomted assistant physician and surgeon of Bellevue Hospital in 1844, where he
remained for two years ; was examining surgeon of Essex county at the commencement of the
war- then went to Georgetown and, with Prof. Daniel Ayres, of Brooklyn, opened the govern-
ment hospital to receive the wounded of the second battle of Bull Run. Mr. Talmadge was
married to Catherine L. Thompson, a daughter of Andrew and Lucretia B. (Carpenter) Thomp-
son of Keeseville, formerly of Lansingburgh. Children one, Andrew T., graduate of Long
Island College Hospital, class of 1881, associated with his father. Mr. Thompson was formerly
cashier of the old Essex County Bank of Keeseville.
A'
WILLSBOROUGH.
DSIT WM H Willsborough, son of Alvin and Keziah (Reynolds) Adsit, was born in Essex,
.LJL. May's 1840, and came to Willsborough in 1875; is a farmer and owns 210 acres of land.
Wife Helen Dickerson, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wright) Dickerson, of ^^ illsborough ;
married Feb. 16, 1862. Children two : Cora D., and Josie M.
Barton Lyman, M. D., is a son of Simon and Olive (Cary) Barton ; was born in Hebron,
Washington county, N. Y. Sept. 19, 1812 ; studied medicine with his uncle. Dr. Ira Barton, of
Waterfo'i-d Pa.; graduated at Dartmouth Medical College, in 1838. In 1839 he came to Wills-
borouo-h and commenced the practice of medicine where he has been and still is in the active
nraotice of his profession. Aug. 20, 1869, the University of V^ermont conferred on him the
honorarv degree of master of arts. He was elected permanent member of the Medical Society
of the S'tate of New York, and was one of the founders of the Medical Association of the State
of New York organized in 1884. He has been supervisor of his town several times. Was
married in Dec 1840, to Minerva Aiken, daughter of Abram and EUzabeth (Boynton) Aiken,
of Willsborough. Has five children, Elizabeth, now ilrs. C. W. Witters, of Milton, Vt. ; Abba,
now Mrs B J. Ohatterton, of Willsborough; Susannah, now Mrs. G. A. Perry, A. M., of Ger-
mantown, Pa.; Sarah, now Mrs. K. M. Laurie, of Colorado ; and Lyman Guy, a graduate of
Granville' Military School and for the past two years a student in Cornell University,
Ithaca, N. Y,
74° History of Essex County.
Boardinan, Warren, was born in Willsborovigh in 1815; is a farmer and owns 207 acres.
Was married Dec. 3, 1840, to Isabel Helm, daughter of Robert and Jane (Covin) Helm, who
came from Scotland in 1823. Children five : Mary J., Alfred J., William H., Hattie L., now
Mrs. Abner Reynolds, Emmet R., of Willsborough. Mr. Boardman's parents were Benjamin
and May (Prescott) Boardman, who came from New Hampshire about 1811.
Baker, M. S., was born in town of Peru, Oct. 22, 1811, and came to Willsborough in 1837; is
a farmer and owns 359 acres. In 1871 Mr. Baker met with a serious accident, depriving him
of both hands. He was married Oct. 22, 1838, to Eliza H. Collins, a daughter of C. and Eliz-
abeth Collins, of Whitehall, Vt. Children, three living: Marian (now Mrs. G. W. Palmer),
Herbert L., of Essex, and Helen E., now Mrs. Geo. Calkins. Mr. Baker's parents were Wm.
and Mary (Weatherwax) Baker, of Peru.
Cuyler, Jno. B., was born in Willisborough April 18, 1837 ; is a farmer and owns 70
acres ; also a carriage manufacturer ; has been justice of the peace and was elected supervisor in
1885. His parents were Jno. B. and Phoebe (Hoffnagle) Cuyler, who were early settlers in this
county ; they had six children, two of whom are deceased, Jane and Sally A.; there are now
living Elbert A., of Ohio, and Chas. E., of California, Susannah, and Jno. B.
Chatterton, B. J., Willsborough, was born in Whitehall, Saratoga county, Dec. 18, 1838,
and came to Willsborough in 1856; is a farmer and owns 100 acres of land. Was married
March 29, 1870, to Abbie Barton, daughter of Dr. Lyman and Minerva (Aiken) Barton, of
Willsborough. Mr. Chatterton's parents were Wm. F. and Mary (Kimberly) Chatterton.
Frisbie, Asa W., was born in Willsborough Oct. 27, 1823 ; is a farmer and owns 350 acres ;
has been assessor of town. Was married Oct. 22, 1853, to Margaret S. Jones, a daughter of
Dudley H. and Susan (Densmore) Jones, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Fris-
bie's parents were G-uy C. and Jane (Ames) Frisbie. His paternal grandfather and grand-
mother were Asa and Sally ((Jreen) Frisbie.
Fairchild, Frederick, Willsborough, son of Jno. and Grace (FoUet) Fairohild, was born in
Willsborough, Sept. 3, 1841 ; is a farmer and owns 360 acres of land, 110 of which was original
purchase land, purchased by his grandfather Aaron, who came here from Newburgh about 1791.
Was married to Lucetta A., daughter of Eli and Mary (Smith) Wood, of Westport, Essex
county, Nov. 19, 1867. Children three : Nelson E., Henry E.,- and Irene E.
Higby, Edmund S., son of Levi and Eliza (Sheldon) Higby, was born in Willsborough, Nov.
19, 1829. He is proprietor of Higby 's saw-mill, and manufacturer of lumber; also owns farm
lands of 152 acres ; has been assessor, town clerk and supervisor. Mr. Higby was married Jan.
15, 1863, to Lucy M. Jones, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Chase) Jones, of Willsborough ;
children eight: Carrie L., Blanche M., Hamilton A., Winter R,, Nora B., Maud, Lena E., and
Walter, ilr. Higby's parents came from Connecticut about 1800. Mr. Higby died Sept. 27,
1882, aged 85 }-ears. Mrs. Higby is still living, aged 85 years.
HofTnagle, Edward, was born in Willsborough, Oct. 28, 1834; is a manufacturer of wagons
and sleighs, and justice of the peace. ^Yas married Sept 7, 1875, to Lucy A. Wood, a daughter
of Eli and Mary (Smith) Wood. Children three : Carroll W., Edna M., and Ezra N. Mr.
Hoffnagle's parents were Jno. and Sally (Cooley) Hoffnagle, natives of this town. Mr. Hoff-
nagle was born in 1796 and died in 1883. Mrs. Hoflhagle still survives him.
Hoffnagle, Abraham W., Willsborough, son of Edmund and Margaret J. (Weatherwax)
Hoffnagle, natives of Willsborough, was born in Willsborough, Sept. 30, 1834 ; is of the firm of
Hoffnagle &; Soott, proprietors of the Phoenix grist-mill; has been town clerk since 1871.
Was mariied Oct. 8, 1863, to Sarah J. Fairchild, daughter of Daniel and Annis (Sheldon) Fair-
child. One child, Jennie J.
Jacobs, Joseph B., was born in Chester, Windsor county, Yt., June 3, 1806, and came to
Willsborough in 1833; is a farmer and owns 170 acres of land. Was married Jan. 8, 1833, to
Hannah Heald, of Andover, Yt., daughter of Simon and Betsey (Burnap) Heald, natives of
Temple, N. H. Children three: Huldah, the oldest, (deceased). Hannah, and Joseph Henry,
both living in Willsborough. Mr. Jacob's parents were John and Hannah (Bowker) Jacobs,
natives of Yermont and New Hampshire.
Jones, Henry M., was born in Willsborough in Jan. 1837; is a farmer and owns 200 acres
of land ; is also a dealer in and breeder of tine horses. Was married Nov. 25, 1875, to Kate R.
Martin, a daughter of Hugh and Sally (Goodell) Martin, of Franklin county, N. Y. Mr. Jones's
parents are Daniel and Elizabeth (Chase) Jones, of \Yillsborough.
Jones, David, son of Bethuel and Lucy (Hosford) Jones, was born in Willsborough, Oct. 9
181U ; is a farmer and owns 750 acres ; has been county superintendent of the poor nine years
and overseer of the town poor for aliout thirty years. Wife, Elizabeth Chase, a dausjliter of
Abram and Lucy (Cooley) Chase, natives of Danbury, Conn., who came here about 1800.
Brief Personals. 741
Children nine : Henry M., of Willsborough, Mrs. Edmund S. Higby, of Willsborough, Abram
D., of Chicago, Eliza A. (now Mrs. Seth Calkins), of Ausable, Emmet A. (deceased), Frank S.,
Mrs. Alfred Howard, NeUie M. Jones, Mrs. B. Arnold, of Ausable.
Lyon, Edmund D., Willsboi-ough, was born in Essex, Vt, Nov. 2, 1824; is a farmer and
owns 194 acres ; has been assessor and commissioner of highways. Was married Oct. 28th,
1852, to Mary T. Towner, daughter of Enos and Sarah (Bacon) Towner, of Willsborough.
Children three: Wilbur F., Abalena, and Sarah E. Mr. Lyon's parents were Alfinzy A., and
Abalena (Barber) Lyon. He was a native of Vermont and came here about 1828. She was a
native of Willsborough.
Lynde, Denny T., was born in Willsborough, Jan. 22, 1799, and died in May, 1882 ; was a
farmer and owned 110 acres of land. Jan. 13, 1823, he was married to Eunice Dodge. They had
one child, Jno. D., of Philadelpliia. His second wife was Alvira Blair, whom he married Nov.
11, 1833. They had two children : Henry, of Missouri, and Alva B., of Iowa. His third wife
was Lucy Heald, whom he married March 19, 1840. Had one child, Edwin, of Iowa. Fourth
wife, was Adeha L. Crouch, of Shelburne, Vt., whom he married March 18, 1846. Mr. Lynde's
parents were Jonathan and Mollie (Franklin) Lynde, who settled here about 1783.
Morhous, Andrew, was born in Willsborough May 3, 1789, and died Jan. 26, 1867. His
wife, Sally Woodruff, was born March 23, 1795, died Sept. 27, 1882. Children twelve : Chas.
B., Rosanna (deceased), Edwin A. (deceased), Almira D., (now Mrs. B. C Jones), Horace, Jane
Ann (now Mrs. McDonald Ames), Emily (now Mrs. Hiram Parish), Sarah C. (now Mrs. Frede-
rick B. Lyon), Geo. F., Mary E. (now Mrs. Smith), Martha M. (now Jlrs. Woodruff), Annette
L., who resides with Geo. F. on the homestead.
Morhous, Albert, was born in Willsborough, Sept 19, 1819 ; is a farmer and owns 120 acres
of land. Wife, Ellen Otis, daughter of Jno. and Jane (Jackson) Otis. Children three : LesUe
H., De Forris 0. and Oakley A. Mr. Morhous's parents were Michael and Diadema (Stafford)
Morhous, natives of Willsborough.
Morhous, Chas., Willsborough, was born in Willsborough, Oct. 11, 1798; is a farmer and
owns 150 acres ; has been at different times highway commissioner, poormaster and justice of
the peace. Was married April 8, 1821, to Anna Vaughn, daughter of Russel and (Button)
Vaughn, natives of Wallingford, Vt. Children eight: Mary Ann (now Mrs. Leonard Nokes),
Russel V. (decea.<;ed), Edward, George (of Ilhnois), Eliza (now Mrs. Wallace Smith), Harman
H. (deceased), Hiram C, Oscar D. (deceased). Mr. Morhous's parents were Jno. and Rosanna
(Hoffnagle) Morhous, who came here from Connecticut about 1784.
Morhous, Michael, was born in Willsborough, Sept. 1814 ; is a farmer and owns 185 acres
of land ; was formerly justice of the peace and supervisor of his town. Was married Feb. 17.
1346, to Cliarlotte Baker, a daughter of William and Mary (Weatherwax) Baker, of Perue, Clin-
ton county. One child, Florence M., now Mrs. Benjamin Fairchild. Mr. Morhous's parents
were Michael and Didema (Stafford) Morhous, both deceased.
Palmer, Daniel H., was born in New York in 1808, and came to Willsborough in 1837.
He was a farmer and owns 125 acres. He died Jan., 1881. His first wife was Betsey Dike-
mon, daughter of David Dikemon, of Esse.K. Children two: William, of Clintonville, Clinton
county, and Sarah Jane, now Mrs. Edwin Muore, of Lewi,«. His second wife was Jane French,
a daughter of Noah and Eunice (Rolfe) French, of E.ssex. One child. Evert D.
Palmer, Geo. W., Willsborough, son of Clement C. and Luoinda (MoEveny) Palmer, was
born in Nicholsville, St Lawrence county, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1823 ; settled in Essex in 1839 ;
came to Willsborough in 1874 as manager of J. N. Stower's store, proprietor of iron works;
at Stower's failure was appointed receiver for B. Noble. Mr, Palmer commenced business as a
general merchant in 1877, and built the large store he now occupies in 1884. Has been super-
visor of Essex and Willsborough, also commissioner of higln-iays. Wife, Mary A. Stafford,
daughter of Stephen and Mary (Ring) Stafford, of E.s'iex. ChildVen three hving: Emily, now
Mrs. Herbert Baker ; ElUott S. Palmer, of Willsborough; Fred C. Palmer, of Vermillion; seo-
ond'wife Marion Baker, daughter of M. S. and Eliza (Collins) Baker, of Willsborough. Chil-
dren two living : Lillian and Lulah Belle.
Phelps, Reuben P., was born in Willsborough, Aug. 4, 1823 ; is a farmer and owns 315
acres; has been overseer of the poor and assessor of the town. Was married Jan. 15, 1851.
to Marian" E. Lee, a daughter of Ashabel and Betsey (Foster) Lee, of Willsborough. Children
three: Laura A. (now Mrs. Henry Rowley), Eugenie and Alma F. Mr. Phelps' parents were
Truman and Eliza (Frisbie) Phelps, who came to this section in 1826.
Richardson, Edward W., Willsborough, son of Albert and Almira (Reynolds) Richardson,
was born in Willsborough. March 21, 1851; is superintendent of the Champlain Fibre Works.
Was married Oct., 1881, to Martha M. Lyon, daughter of Wesley G. and Mary J. (Farr) Lyon,
residents of Essex. One child. Homer B.
742 History of Essex County.
Rowley, Geo. A., Willsborough, was born in Willsborough, Jan. 4, 1844; is a farmer and
owns 200 acres of land. Wife, Lizzie Higby, daughter of Levi and Eliza (Sheldon) Higby.
Levi Higby came from Canaan, Richland county, Vt., with his parents in 1800. Died Oct.,
1882, aged 85 years. His wife was a daughter of Edmund Sheldon who came from Duchess
county in 1786. Mr. Rowley's parents were Daniel and Jane (Tracy) Rowley, natives of Wills-
borough. Geo. A. Rowley has one child, Charles H.
Samson, Loyal, p. o. Reber, son of Ephraim and Olive Gates Samson, was born at Crown
Point, Auer. 25, 1803 ; is a retired farmer and owns 250 acres of land ; has been assessor and
justice of the peace until barred by age. Was married Jan. 15, 1827, to Margaret B. McCol-
lom, daughter of Thos. and Nancy (Sargent) McCoUom, who came from Cavendish, Vt, in
1824. One child, married to Adolphus Perry, of Lewis.
Severance, "William, was born in Essex, Oct. 19, 1827; is a farmer and insurance agent;
owns 60 acres of land ; has been town collector and overseer of the poor and' is now assessor.
Was married June 15, 1852, to Eunice M. Hayes, daughter of Philo and Deborah (Moore)
Hayes, of Willsborough. Children seven : B. W. ; Eugene H., of West Cornwall, Vt. ; Cora L.,
(now Mrs. Geo. W. Bond) ; Elbert D., Karl J., Rowland A., and Pearl S. Mr. Severance's
parents were Samuel and Susannah (Warren) Severance, who came from Windsor, Vt., to Es-
sex about 1810. Both deceased.
Shedd, Geo. M., Willsborough, son of Henry S. and Helen (Munn) Shedd. Was born in
the town of Gregg, Lewis county, in July, 1856 ; is a general merchant of the firm of Shedd &
Richardson. Was married to Catherine G. Morehouse, a daughter of Jno. and Mary (Baldwin)
Morehouse, Jan. 10, 1883. One child, Helen B. His father, Henry S. Shedd, was a native of
Acton, Mass., son of Marshall Shedd, who came frnm Acton, Mass., in a very early day.
Sheldon, Aikin B., was born in Willsborough, May 2, 1804 ; is a farmer and owns 238 acres
of land ; formerly justice of the peace and supervisor. Was married Jan. 17, 1833, to Phebe
Perry, a daughter of Abijah and Elizabeth (Tippits) Perry, of Lewis. Children seven : Amelia
now Mrs. Silas Lee ; Isabella (deceased) ; Augustus C. ; Martin A. (deceased) ; Edmund E. ;
Charlotte M. (now Mrs. Geo. W. Lee) ; Emma A. Mr. Sheldon's parents were Edmund and
Mary A. (Haight) Sheldon, natives of Duchess county, who came here in 1786; both deceased.
Sheldon, Geo. W., Willsborough, was born in Willsborough, April 23, 1828 ; is a farmer and
owns 125 acres. Was married Peb. 9, 1859 to Jennie D. Norton, daughter of Eli and W.
(Morse), Norton, of Addison, Vt. Children three : Nellie D., Dora A., and Ola M. (deceased).
Mr. Sheldon's parents were Walter and Polly Sawtell Sheldon, who came from Duchess county
to Willsborough, about 1794.
Sheldon, Joseph, was born in Duchess county in 1744, and died in 1836, aged ninety-two
years. He was, with his brother-in-law, the first purchasers of the Gilliland Tract of 2,000
acres, where he settled in 1784. His wife, Ruth, was born in 1732, and died in 1852, aged
ninety years. Edmund Sheldon, son of Joseph, was born in Duchess county Feb. 23, 1869,
died Aug. 22, 1850, aged eighty-one years. His wife, Mary Ann Haight, was born in Duchess
county, June 30, 1791, settled here in 1795, and died in 1880, aged ninety-nine years, seven
months and twenty-five days. Charles, son of William, was born in Willsborough in 1819, died
June 8, 1871, aged fifty-four years. He engaged in the mercantile business in 1846, was ap-
pointed postmaster in 1849 and again in 1861, which office he held to his death in 1871, since
which time his wife has held the position. They had four children : Frank H., of Denver, Col. ;
Fred C. (deceased); Cora M. ; and Arthur P., who was born Feb. 18, 1864, and is now a
druggist and deputy postmaster of Willsborough.
Shepard, Warren, was born in Panton, Vt., Nov. 19, 1841, and came to Willsborough in
1880 ; is proprietor of the Riverside Hotel and livery. Was married Dec. 22, 1870, to Ellen S.
Barnett, daughter of James K. and Betsey (Burwell) Barnett, of Crown Point, old settlers of
that town. Children four : James F., Sarah J., Elton B. and Barl W. Mr. Shepard's parents
were James and Sarah J. (Spaulding) Shepard.
Smith, Edward F., p. o. Willsborough, son of Lyman and Emily (Rowley) Smith, was born
in Willsborough in November, 1836, is a farmer and owns 257^ acres of land, formerly assessor
and excise commissioner ; was married Dec. 1, 1859. to Asenath F. Fairchild, daughter of John
and Grace (FoUet) Fairchild, of Willsborough ; children four : Nellie G, E. Lyman, Flora E.
and Rena M. The grandfather of Mr. Smith, Caleb, came from Rutland, Vt., in 1788 ; married
Sarah Ruebeckin 1791 ; died Nov. 7, 1844.
Smith, E. 0., p. o. Willsborough, son of Lyman and Emily (Rowley) Smith, was born in
Willsborough March 18, 1840; is a farmer and owns 310 acres of land ; was married Sept. 6,
1861, to Clara A. Boynton, daughter of Paul B. and Rosamond (Aiken) Boynton ; children
four : Walter B., Oakley H., Dora M. and Rosamond D. His grandfather, Caleb, came from
Rutland, Vt., in 1788 ; was married to Sarah Ruebeck in 1791 ; died Nov. 7, 1844.
Brief Personals. 743
. S^^ ' ^^^'^y ^^■' P- °- Willsborongh, son of Lyman and Emily J. (Rowley) Smith, was bora
in VV illsborough in May, 1845 ; is a farmer and owns 168 acres of land; was married, March
10, 18/0, to Cahsta Fairchild, daughter of John and Grace (Follet) Pairchild, of Willsborough ;
one child, Stella M. The grandfather of Mr. Smith came from Rutland, Vt., in 1788.
Smith, James, son of Caleb Smith, was born in Shelburne, Vt., Oct. 2, 1793, and came to
Willsborough with his father in 1795. March 31, 1819, he was married to Julia Adsit, a
daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Hale) Adsit, who came from Duchess county at a very early
day. Children three : Wallace F., Alvira H. and Ira H.
Smith, Orville A., was born at Willsborough Point, Dec. 3, 1843 ; is a farmer and owns 486
acres; formerly town auditor and supervisor ; was married Sept. 1, 1870, to Martha A. Hawley,
daughter of Israel and Delia (Graves) Hawley ; children five : Clayton 0., H. Sherman, Mary 0.
Rolland H. and Gracie D. Mr. Smith's parents were Lyman and Emily J. (Rowley) Smith,
natives of Willsborough.
Smith, Rev. Peter S., was born in the town of Schroon, Jan. 14, 1808. He became a min-
ister of the M. E. Church in 1832, and preached until 1859 ; is now a farmer and owns 256
acres ; was married in 1833 to Maria Lelaud, daughter of Thomas and Prisoilla (Seaman) Leland,
of Schroon ; children two, both deceased. Mr. Smith's parents were Abijah and Keziah (Hub-
bell) Smith, who came from Long Island about 1800.
Stafford WiUiam W., was born in Lewis, Oct. 14, 1830, and came to Willsborough in 1837 ;
is a farmer and owns 40 acres; was married Feb. 22, 1853, to jSIary Parish, daughter of Robert
and Elizabeth (Gwinn) Parish, of Rochester, 111.; children two living: Frank W., of New
Haven, Conn., and Willis A. Mr. Staflford's parents were Job and Eliza (Woodruff) Stafford,
natives of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Stevenson, William, son of Alexander and Margaret (Richardson) Stevenson, natives of
Scotland, was born Dec. 12, 1832, in Whallonsburgh ; when about four years old he moved to
the south part of Westporc, lived there twenty years, then went to work for the Cheever Ore
Bed Co. the 1st of January, 1857, in the carpenter and oar shop as foreman. On the 10th of
April, 1867, was married to Miss Jennie M. Boardman, of Willsborough, a daughter of Warren
and Isabell (Helm) Boardman. Have four children : William W., John A., Emmet A. and
Hattie A. Lived at Cheever till the works closed, July, 1883 ; bought a farm in the southeast
part of Willsborough, on the shore of Lake Champlain ; moved here in November, 1883.
Stower, Asa, was a native of Willsborough, born in 1807, died in 1865; was a farmer, and
married Sarah Aiken, daughter of Major Abraham Aiken, who was born in WiUsborough in 1788
and came here when a small boy ; Major Aiken died in 1828, leaving a widow and nine children :
Carlos B. (deceased); Caroline M., Mrs. Hoffnagle (deceased); Sarah, now Mrs. Stower; Rosa-
mond P., now Mrs. Boynton ; Cecilia, Mrs. Stafford (deceased) ; Elizabeth ; Minerva, now
Mrs. Dr. Tyman Barton ; Clarinda (deceased) ; Lucy M., Mrs. Horace Sheldon (deceased).
Townsend, Joshua B., came to Willsborough from Boston in 1813 ; he was a farmer and
owned 49 acres of land ; his wife was Elsie Smith, of Boston ; both deceased ; children: Louisa
(deceased); Joshua (deceased); David, Seth, Sally and Matilda, all on the old homestead;
Edwin, WilUam, Solomon and Eliza, and Mary A. (deceased).
Tucker, James M., p. o. Willsborough, was born in the town of Essex, Sept. 23, 1832, and
came here with his parents, Calvin and Nancy (Thayer) Tucker ; is a farmer and owns 103
acres of land ; formerly constable and collector ; married Dec. 24, 1857, to Ellen M. Jones,
daughter of Dudley H. and Susannah (Densmore) Jones, natives of Massachusetts ; children two :
Susan J., now Mrs. Charles H. Samant, of Willsborough ; Marionette E., now Mrs. Asa J.
Fiske, of Willsborough. Mr. Tucker's parents, Calvin and Nancy Tucker, settled in Wills-
borough in 1851 ; Mr. Tucker died Sept. 3, 1876, an4 Mrs. Tucker in December, 1879.
ESSEX.
PALMER, A. H., born in Essex, Essex county, February 4th, 1840 ; was a farmer until
enlisting in the army in 1864 ; enlisted in Company H, 5th N. Y. Cavalry ; served until
the close of the war in 1865. During the war, in 1864, he was married to Miss Rosa Rice, of
Willsborough. Children four, two sons and two daughters. In the spring of 1869 he pur-
chased the place where he now resides, in the town of Essex. Mr. Palmer's parents were
Heman and Lucy (Thayer) Palmer.
Robbing, Joseph, p. o. Reber, was born in Craftsbury, Orleans county, Vt., January 19th,
1835, and came with his parents, Ansel and Elizabeth (Childs) Robbins, to Essex in the summer
of 1844; he remained with his parents on the farm until enlisting in Company K, 38th Regi-
744 History of Essex County.
ment, N. Y. S. V. While in that regiment he served in the following battles: Bull Run,
Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksljurg ; he returned home in June,
1863, and soon afterward married Helen M. French. They are the parents of six children.
Mr. Robbins is an active man and a supporter of churches.
Sprague, B. T., son of Pardon and Hannah (Newton) Sprague, was born in Shoreham, Vt.i
September 8th, 1819. He remained at home with his parents until coming to Essex in 1839 i
he located at Crown Point. He was married February 5th, 1842, to Miss Lois Stratton.
Children three living: George M., of Essex. Mary L., wife of Jonathan Lett, of Essex, and
Willis J., at home. In the fall of 1845 Mr. Sprague went to AYisconsin where he purchased a
place and remained for four and one-half years. In 1850 he moved back to Westport, bought a
place, remained there until the fall of 185G, when he purchased the place in Essex county where
he has since resided. Mr. Sprague is a self-made man. He and his two sons are the owners of
five or six hundred acres of land. Has held the office of assessor for fifteen years. Was instru-
mental in building the M. E. church at Wadham's Mills.
Stafford, Harris, was born in the town of Essex, Essex county, August 5th, 1816. His
grandfather, Benjamin Stafford, a native of Coventry, R. I., came to Essex county soon after
the close of the Revolutionary War, about 1785, first located in an opening made by a Canadian
squatter, on the place now owned by Isaac D. Sheldon, and afterward settled on the premises
now owned by Ira A. Stafford. Four of his sons took an active part in the War of 1812. He
died in 1826. Harris Stafford improved such educational advantages as the common schools of
that day afforded, acquiring a knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and remaining upon the
homestead until his twenty-eighth year. In June, 1844, he married Sabra, daughter of Abner
Royce. Five of their seven children are now living, viz. : Abigal, wife of Daniel Stafford ;
Beliza, now !Mrs. A. P. Baldwin, of Essex ; Hannah M., wife of Rush Howard, of Westport ;
Martha M., at home ; !Mary E., wife of George Stickney. Immediately after marriage, ilr.
Stafford settled on the place where he still resides. The first Mrs. Stafford died in 1857. He
was again married in 1871 to Mrs. Anna Warner, of Crown Point. Mr. Stafford is one of the
substantial farmers of Essex county, owning 4(10 acres of land in the town of Essex and 367 in
Westport ; a life-long Whig and Republican in politics and a hospitable and genial gentleman.
Sykes, Philo S., was born in the town of Lewis, Essex county, March 24th, 1816. He
remained at home engaged in farming pursuits until 1838, when he went west and stayed until
1843. In 18.54 he was married to Miss Harriet E. Stafford. Children, one hving, Herbert W.
Mr. Sykes's parents were David and Persa (Xicholson) Sykes. David was a native of Ver-
mont, came to Lewis about 1800 and settled on the place now owned by Mrs. Julia Cross,
cleared it up and continued to live there until his death.
Whitney, Hiram George, was born in Essex county June 25th, 1848; was married in 1877
to Miss Nettie Bellows. Children two, a son and daughter. Mr. Whitney's parents were
Lucius and Minerva (Smith) Whitney. Mr. Lucius Whitney was born in Springfield, Vt.,
February 29th, 18u4, and came to Essex county in 1807, where he settled on the place now
owned by his son. His three brothers located m the same vicinity. The present family resi-
dence was built about 1820 by Benjamin W. Whitney.
ST. ARMAND.
BUNKER, SEWELL F., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Canada in 1834, and came to
Essex county in 1851. Is a mason by trade; also keeps a sporting-house; has been super-
visor, overseer of the poor, town clerk and commissioner, and is now town auditor. Was
married in 1855 to Jennie M. Lobdell, and they have seven children.
Burdick, E. K., was born in Vermont in 1830, and came to this county in 1849 ; is a cabinet-
maker; has been excise commis.sioner for his town. Was married in 1860 to Clara Stevens,
and they have two children, Mary and Henry Burdick.
Carr, George W., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county in 1842, and came to this
county in 1855; is a farmer; was married in 1874 to Emily J. Chubb, a native of Clinton
county. They have two children, George W. and Anna Carr. Mr. Carr has been commis-
sioner of highways for his town.
Chubb, George W., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Vermont in 1819, and came to this town
in 1855 ; is a farmer ; has been justice of the peace in his town for sixteen years, also commis-
sioner of highways, excise commissioner, and inspector of election. Was married in 1841 to
Anna Wilcox, and they have five children.
Clark, Theodore, p o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county in 1844 ; is a farmer. His
wife, formerly Frank Lee Morey, was born in this county in 1859. They were married in 1877
and have three children : Ira, Carrie and Wesley.
Brief Personals. 745
00?"^®°° 'j, ' P' "■ ^■■^"klin Falls, was born in the town of FrankUn, Franklin county, in
183 ( ; IS a farmer, lumberman and hotel-keeper. His hotel is quite popular as a resort for peo-
ple afflicted with hay-fever, as the climate is proof against it. ilr. French has been assessof
and town auditor for his town. His wife was Anna Hewitt, born in Clinton county in 1837.
They were married in 1866 and have two children : Flossie D. and Jenny F. French.
George, William Henry (deceased), was born in Essex county in 1820. At various times he
held the offices of commissioner, assessor, and overseer of the poor. His wife, Caroline French,
was born in Vermont in 1819. They had two children, both deceased. Mrs. George still
resides on the homestead.
Hardy.^ Amos P., was born in Vermont in 1818, and came to Keene in 1820, to Jay in
1822, to ^Vilmington, his present home, in 1848 ; is a farmer, and has also done a good busi-
ness as a merchant and manufacturer ; has been supervisor several terms, often holding other
local offices. Has been three times married. Has four children and two stepchildren. His
first wife was Clarissa Chapel, whom he married in 1842. She died in 1843. In 1844 he mar-
ried Loretta Dean Hall, a widow with two children. She died in 1872. His present wife was
Jemcia S. Jones, to whom he was married in 1873.
Hays, D. B., was born in the town of Jay in 1822. Is a hammersman in the forge. Has
been justice of the peace for his town and held other local offices. "Was married in 184.5 to
Esther Preston, who died in 1868, leaving three children. In 1870 was married to Mrs. Lavinia
Cooper.
Hays, Aaron, p. o. Wilmington, was born in this county in 1828 ; was formerly a bloomer,
but is now a millwright and miller; is present assessor for his town, and has held the offices of
overseer of the poor, collector and town clerk. His wife was Axcey Preston, born in this
county in 1828. They were married in 1855 and have six children.
Hayes, Rawson, p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in this town in 1851 ; is a farmer, trapper and
guide; was married in 1871 to Anna M. Boil. They have four children: Alta L., Irene M.,
Lois C, and Sanford C.
Hardy, Amos, p. o. Wilmington, was born in Vermont in 1818 and came to North Elba in
1820 ; is a farmer ; has been supervisor several terms and has held other local offices. Has been
three times married ; first to Clarissa Chapel, in 1S42. She died in 1843. In 1344 he was mar-
ried to Loretta Dean. She died in 1872. leaving four children. His last wife was Jerusha .Jones,
whom he married in 1873. They have four children.
Hewitt, Clarence V., p. -o. Franklin Falls, was bom in Clinton county, in 1857, and came to
this county in 1861. Is now justice of the peace for his town.
Hickock, Roger, p. o. Wilmington, was born in this town in 1817 ; is at present a farmer but
formerly a school teacher, having taught about forty years. AVas married in 1840 to Mary A.
Thayer, and thev have eight children. Mr. Hickock has held various offices in his town. Was
in the late Rebellion in the 142d Regiment.
Huntington, Henry J., p. o., Wilmington, was born in St. Lawrence county in 1842 and came
to this county in 1857 ; is a carpenter and joiner; is supervisor of his town and has been town
clerk for several years. Was married in 1868 to Ellen E. Hardy and they have four children :
Amos J., Clara L., Guy W., and James H. Mr. Huntington was a soldier in the late EebeUion,
serving in the 97th Regiment of N. Y. Volunteers.
Kendall, C. H., p. o. Saranao Lake, was born in Delaware county in 1835, and came to Sar-
anac Lake in 1883. Is a hotel keeper and is also engaged in the livery business. His wife,
Winifred, was born in Ireland in 1837. They were married in 1855 and have five children.
Ling, Baron D., p. o. Franklin Falls, was born in Franklin county in 1859 ; is a farmer.
Was married to Flora Green in 1880. They have two children : Arthur and Elmer Ling.
Mclntyre R. H., was born in CUnton county in 1846, and came to this county in 1870; is a
hardware merchant; is now on his second term of justice of the peace. His wife was Emma
C. Kendall, born in this county in 1856. They were married in 1878. They have two children:
A. P. and H. K. Mclntyre.
Miller. J. B., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county in 1837 and came to this county
in 1847 • has been a lumberman but is now a miller. Was married in 1858 to Florey Clough
and they have three children : Herbert, Frank, and Ensign Miller. Mr. Miller was in the late
Rebellion, serving in the 118th N. Y. Volunteers.
Miller J. W., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in this county in 1832 ; is a boat-builder and
lumber dealer; is now town auditor, and has been inspector of election. Was married to Pa-
tience Havs in 1859, and they have three children : George M., Charles E., and May L.
Norton il. J., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Essex county in 1831 ; is a superintendent
of the Adirondack cottages. In 1852 he married Oliva J. Bull, and they have five children.
746 History of Essex County.
Pierce, Jas. H.,p. o. Bloomingdale, -svas bora in Clinton county in 1826 and came to this
county in 1852 ; keeps a hotel and sporting house. While living in Franklin county he repre-
sented his county as assemblyman for three terms. "Was supervisor of Franklin five years and
of St. Armand seven 3'eai's ; was four years chairman of the board ; is now postmaster. In
1856 he was married to Carrie 0. Lennon. They have two children ; Carrie E. and Alice A.
During the Rebellion Mr. Pierce raised a company of men mostly at his own expense and went
out as Captain of Company C. He was taken prisoner at Drury's Bluffs ; was a prisoner seven
months, being taken to Libby prison, ^Maeon, Savannah, and Charleston.
Plumley, Wm. D., p. o. Franklin Falls, was born in ilassachusetts in 1836, and came to the
town of Franklin in 1865 ; has been commissioner of highways. His wife, Hattie Smart, was
born in Clinton county in 1859. They were married in 1876, and have five children. Mr.
Plumley was in the late war, serving in the 8th Vermont.
Eeid, Sylvester, p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county in 1842 ; is a farmer ; has
been assessor, overseer of the poor, and constable. Was married in 1877 to Fannie Walton, a
native of Franklin county. They have two children : Byron M. and Alice M. Mr. Reid was in
the late war, serving in the 13th N. Y. Cavalry.
Rice, Isaac Dr., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county, in 18i7, and came to this
county in 1872. Is a graduate from the medical department of Burlington University, Vt., in
1872. Was married in 1878 to Ida H. Bunker. They have one son and a daughter by adop-
tion. Dr. Rice has been excise commissioner for his town.
Smith, R. S., p. o. Saranac Lake, was born in Warren county m 1832, and came to Har-
rietstown in 1839 and into St. Armand in 1850 ; is a farmer ; has held the offices of supervisor,
assessor and commissioners of highways. Was married in 1859 to Ellen Nord, a native of War-
ren county, and they have six children.
Stickney, Chas. J., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in !Malone in 1854, and came to this county
in 1878; is a hotel-keeper; was formerly a merchant. Was married in 1881 to Mallie A.
Wardner, and they have one son, Chas. W. Stickney. Mr. Stickney has been town clerk for
several years.
Stors, J. H., p. o. Wilmington, was born in Vermont in 1828; is a merchant and hotel-
keeper ; has been justice of the peace for several years, also inspector of election. Was married
in 1852 to Mary Ann Haselton, and they have five children. Mr. Stors was in the late Rebel-
lion, serving in Company A, 12th U. S. Infantry, 1st battalion.
Town, Chas. F., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Vermont in 1833, and came to this county
in 1846; is a blacksmith; is now supervisor and justice of the peace in his town; has held the
latter office for about ten years. Was married in 1855 to Jennette Lamson, eldest daughter of
Ida B., late wife of E. M. White, who died Feb. 2, 1885 ; and they have five children : Herbert W.,
Nettie E., Grant C, Ralph P., and Geo. F. Town. Mr. Town was in the late Rebellion, enlist-
ing in 1862 in the llSthN. Y. regiment, and received a commission in the 29th Connecticut colored
regiment, serving until the close of the war.
Walton, Daniel H., p. o. Bloomingdale, was born in Clinton county, in 1835; is a farmer;
has been assessor and commissioner for his town. His wife was Mary La Fountain, born in this
county in 1841. They were married in 1863, and have two children: Jennie, and Daniel B.
Mr. Walton served in the late war, in the 2d X. Y. Cavalry.
Walston, Russell L., p. o. Franklin Falls, was born in Vermont in 1821 and came to Frank-
lin county in 1853; is a farmer; has held the offices of assessor and commissioner of highways.
Mrs. Walston was Mary A. Purley, born in Vermont in 1823. They were married in 1852.
Weston, Elijah, p. o. Wilmington, was born m this county in 1832; is a farmer; has been
supervisor, and road commissioner, and held other local offices in his town. In 1860 he was
married to Phebe A. Owen, a native of this town. They have one son, named Vernon E.
Weston, ilr. Weston is now justice of the peace.
Willson, John M., p. o. Franklin Falls, was born in Xew Hampshire in 1839 and came to St.
Armand in 1844; is overseer of the poor; has been assessor and town auditor. His wife was
Ehzabelh Watson, who was born in Clinton countv in 1844. They have five children : Harriet
E., Thomas McDonough, Hubert A.. Chas. W., and Purlina L. Willson. Mr. Willson was in
the late war, serving in the 118th Regiment. N. Y. Vols.
Wood, Don Carlos, was born in this county in 1821; is a farmer; p. o. address, Franklin
Falls. His wife, Hannah M. Tyler, was born in Vermont in 1837. They were married in
1860, and have four children.
Brief Personals. 747
KEENE.
T>EEDE, SMITH, was born in Vermont in 1818, and came to this county in October, 182S;
-L» IS a farmer and m company with his sons keeps a hotel for summer boarders ; has been
■commissioner and assessor for the town of Newoomb, also postmaster for the town of Keene.
Was married m 1844 to Marion W. Chase, and they have six children.
Bell, Thurlow W., was born in Wilmington, in 1859. He is a mercliaTit- is deputy post-
master and supervisor for his town ; has been town clerk. Mr. Bell graduated from Elizabeth-
town high school in 1881. Was married in 1883 to Ida E. Pahner, of Elizabethtown.
Dudley, John K., was born in Genesee county, in 1819, and came to this county in 1821.
His wife was Mrs. Mary AnnBeede, born in Vermont in 1826, and died April 12, 1883. He
has four daughters. Mr. Dudley is now a farmer ; is justice of the peace, which office he has
held for about thirty years. He has also held all the other local offices of his town.
Egglefield, Geo. W., was born in Montreal, July 4, 1827, and came to this town in 1849. Is a
farmer and hotel keeper. Was married in 1854 to Sophia Washburne, and they have two
■children.
Bstes, Albert M., was born in this county in 1858 ; is a farmer ; has held the office of excise
commissioner for his town. Was married in 1882 to Miss McFarlane.
Holt, Chas. N., was born in this town in 1833 ; is a farmer ; has held several local offices for
his town, viz ; supervisor, justice of the peace, commissioner, assessor, and overseer of the poor
.and was elected superintendent of the poor of Essex county in the fall of 1881, and re-elected
in the fall of 1884, which office he now holds. Has been twice married, first to Delia McFarlin,
in 1869. She died in 1882, and he wasmarried to Miss Hattie P. Storrs, May 22, 1883.
Hull, Otis H., was born in this town in 1842; is a farmer and keeps a summer hotel. Was
married in 1865 to Martha C. Bennings, a native of Vermont, born in 1844. They have six
•children.
Miller, Nicanor, was born in this county in 1813. Has been twice married, first to Marion
Bede, of Vermont, in 1842. She died in 1854, and in 1859 he was again married to Ellen Goff.
They have five children. Mr. Miller's father, Philip Miller, came to this county previous to 1800,
so he was one of the first settlers of the town.
Murray, Wallace, was born in Vermont in 1849, and came to this county in 1853. He is a
farmer and deals in live stock.
Sheldon, Silas, was born in Vermont in 1830, and came to this county in 1854 ; is a farmer;
has been twice married; first, to Olive Smith in 1856. She died in 1872, and he was again
■married to Maria Stephens, a native of this county. They have five children.
Stetson, Alma Mrs., was born on the homestead where she now resides. Her occupation is
hotel-keeping for summer boarders. Was married to Royal R. Stetson, a native of Canada, in
1873. He died in 1881, leaving Mrs. Stetson with two children. Mrs. Stetson's parents were
■early settlers in this county.
Washborne, Henry W., was born in this town in 1824 ; is a farmer and keeps a summer ho-
tel at Keene Valley. His wife, formerly Harriet Lovey, was born in Albany in 1821. They
were married in 1843 and have five children. Mr. Washborne's father, William Washborne, was
-one of the early settlers of this town.
Weston, W. P., was born in Vermont in 1849, and came to this county in 1874. Owns a
part interest in the Keene Center and Cascade House and resides at Wilmington ; is also in
■company with his father, S. H. Weston, in the iron works at Keene and Wilmington. Was
married in 1873 to Bdnah M. Wells and they have three children. Has been supervisor for his
town, also member of assembly from his district.
White, Harvey, was born in Vermont in 1808, and came to this county in 1826 ; is a retired
farmer. His wife, Abigal Washborn, was born in 1811. They were married in 1831 and have
Jour children.
INDEX.
Abercrombie, General, 76, 84.
attack by on Montcalm at Ticonderoga,
84 at seq.
Adirondacks, 18.
Agricultural society, the county, 190, 277.
statistics, 194.
Allen, Ethan and the Vermont imbroglio, 151
et seq.
capture of Ticonderoga by. 117.
Alphonse, Jean, 45.
Amherst, operations of, 91 et seq.
Animals and fish, 28.
Arnold Benedict, at Quebec, 117, 124.
Aubert, early discoverer, 43.
Ausable chasm, 31.
B.
Beauharnois at Crown Point, 65.
Bench and bar, 27 et seq.
Biographies :
Bradford, Enos. 674.
Boynton, Albert A. 689.
Buck, Rawson Clark, 683.
Calkins, William E. 705.
Clark, George Denton, 690.
Cook, Joseph, 681.
Cowan, Thomas, 674.
De Lano, Clayton H. 672.
Havens, Palmer E. 696.
Hooper, William, 675.
M'Kenzie, .Alexander, 678.
Noble, Ransom, 668.
Noble, Harmon, 670.
Owen, Edward J. 677.
Ross, Henry H. 691.
Ross, Henry Howard, 695.
Sherman, George, 686.
Simonds, William, 684.
Smith, John, Dr. 673.
Woodford, Charles W. 679.
Witherbee, Jonathan Gilman, 687.
Bonds to pay volunteers, 201.
Boulamarque at Ticonderoga, 92.
Boundaries, final settlement of, 181.
Boynton, Albert A., biography of, 689.
Braddock, General Edward, 71.
748
Bradford, Enos, biography of, 674.
Brant (Thayandenegea), 121.
Bressani, Francis Joseph, 39.
British repulse at Concord, 117.
Browm, John, 663 et seq.
Buck, Rawson Clark, biography of, 683.
Burgoyne, General, 134 et seq.
surrender of, 142.
G.
Cabot, John, 43.
Calkins, Wm. E., 399, 400, 403 et seq., 408,
419, 431 etseq ; biography of, 705.
Canada, famine in, 90.
invasion of, 120, 122 et seq.
Canal, the Champlain, 180. 261.
Carleton, Major, on Lake Champlain, I 50.
Carleton, Governor, 122 et seq.
Cartier, Jacques, 44.
Champlain, Samuel, 17, 38, 43, 45 et seq., 259-
journal of, 48.
biographical sketch of, 52.
Champlain valley as a battlefield, 54.
Charlotte county, formation of, 127.
first officers of, 127.
Chastes, Aylmer de, 45.
Chauvin, early patentee, 45.
Chesterfield, town of, 493.
natural characteristics of, 494.
early settlements in, 495.
legendary lead mine in, 502.
physicians of 507.
attorneys of 508.
civil list of, 509.
municipal history of, 570.
press of, 517.
Masonic lodges of, 518.
churches of, 519.
Birmingham Falls in, 526.
Claims to discovery by England, France and
Holland, 52.
Clark, George Denton, biography of, 690.
Clinton, Governor, 65, 69.
resignation of, 69.
Colden. Cadwallader, 96.
"Cold summer, the," 179.
Colonies, taxingof American, by England, 113.
Columbus, Christopher, 43.
Index.
749
Cook, Joseph, i68, 361, 366, 368, 370, 378,
379. 385. 390. 391 et seq., 396, 397,
400, 402, 403, 409, 416, 418, 429, 430,
431 ; biography of, 681.
Company, Northern inland lock navigation,
160.
Essex turnpike road, 174.
Great Ausable railroad, 186, 270.
Adirondack railroad, 186, 270.
Northern slackwater navigation, 186.
Whitehall and Plattsburg railroad,
271.
Crown Point iron, 343.
Concerted action of colonies, necessity for,
69.
Congress, vacillation of, regarding hostilities,
119.
measures of, to raise troops, 120.
Convention in 1690 of colonies, 59.
Cortreal brothers. 43.
County bar, 286.
buildings, 274.
clerks, 195.
courts, 283.
court-house, 274.
judges, 194.
medical society, 311.
officers of, 313.
members of, 314.
poor-house, 275.
seat, establisment of, 273.
treasurers, 195.
Counties, formation of new, 159.
Courts, first, 161.
Covenant of the people of Willsboro, 109.
Cowan, Thomas, biography of, 674.
Crown Point, surrender of, 119.
origin of name of, 64.
first occupation of, by the French, 65.
description of lortat, 65.
town of, origin of, 324.
location of. 325.
ruins of fortifications in, 326.
first town meeting in, 327.
settlers of, 327.
condition of early society in, 328.
early settlers of, 329 at seq.
first school in, 331.
early occupations of inhabitants of, 333.
early assessors' roll of in 1818, 334, in
1835- 359-
the " cold summer m, 336.
iron interests in, 341.
supervisors of, 345.
present officers of, 346.
lawyers of, 346.
physicians of, 346.
post-office of, 348.
press of 348.
cemetery in, 349.
soldiers' monument in, 349.
churches of, 349.
Masonry in, 355.
Crown Point Center, 356.
Deall, Samuel, in, 384.
letters of, 385.
De Boulamarque at Ticonderoga, 85.
Declaration of rights, adopted by congress,! 16.
De la Barre, M., 57.
De Lancey, James, 69.
De Lano, Clayton H., biography of 672.
Delegates to constitutional conventions, 196.
Denonville, Marquis. 57.
De Soto, Fernando, 44.
Dieskau, Baron de, 72.
attack upon and defeat by English, 73
et seq.
Distilleries, 172.
District attorneys, 196.
Donnegana, 45.
Dongan, Governor, 57.
Drake, Sir Francis. 44.
Dunmore, Lord, 115.
Dutch West India company, 52.
Duties imposed by parliament, 114.
El.
Early discoveries, 43 et seq.
East India company, the, 115.
Early judicial system of the State, 278.
Elizabethtown, town of 466.
natural characteristics of, 466.
early settlements of, 467.
county seat in, 470.
State arsenal in, 470.
schools of 471.
early roads, etc., 471, 475.
mills, etc., 473.
iron interest in, 476.
lawyers of 481.
physicians in, 485.
civil list of 486.
municipal history of 487.
press of 490.
schools of 490.
churches of 491.
New Russia in, 493.
England, oppressive course of 113.
English merchants, feelings of concerning
the tax measures, 114.
English government, apathy of in 1738, 66.
English activity in 1759, 90.
Essex county, formation of, 17.
boundaries of 18.
natural characteristics of 18 et seq.
organization of 161.
first courts of 161.
first officers of, 162.
early iron interest in, 165.
early school-houses in, 165.
early houses in, 166.
description of pioneer life in, 169,
distilleries in, 172.
in the rebellion, 197.
population at date of organization, 274.
750
Index.
Essex, town of, 540.
natural characteristics of, 540.
early settlement of, 342.
the Gilliland tract, 544.
town officers, etc., 548.
municipal history of,. 549.
churches of, 552.
Boquet in, 557.
Brookfield in, 558.
Whallonsburgh in, 558.
Evidences of early settlement, 96.
Evidences of prosperity, 189.
Expedition against Crown Point, 1756, 76.
Expeditions planned by General Braddock, 71.
three, planned in 1758, 84.
IF.
Factoryville, 358.
Fernis, 185.
Fifth New York cavalry, 218.
First occupation by Europeans, 43 et seq.
Five Nations, 17.
Flora, 28.
Forbes, General John, 84.
Forests, 27 et seq.
Fort Carillon, inception of, 72 ; 78 et seq.
Fort Clinton, burning of, 69.
Fort Du Ouesne, 71, 76.
expeditions against, 84.
Fort Edward, 73, 76, 88.
Fort Niagara, 71, 76.
Fort St. Ann, Indian outrage at, 56.
Fort St. Frederic, 64, 75.
Fort William Henry, 75, 77.
massacre at, 80.
destruction of, 81.
Fort Winslow, 76.
Forty-fourth regiment, N. Y. volunteers, 211.
France, alliance with, 144.
French and Indians, beginning of difficulties
between. 55.
hostilities between, in 1684, 57.
in 1689, 57.
French, feebleness of the, in 1758, 83.
land grants by the, in the Champlain
Valley, 66.
memoranda of marauding expeditions,
67-
power in America, end of, 95.
violation of treaty by, in 1731, 64.
Frontenac, Count de, 56 et seq.
o-.
Gates, General, 128.
Geology and mineralogy, 23 et seq.
Gilliland, William, 98.
records of, 99 et seq.
progress of colony of 108.
memorial of to congress, 132.
charges of disloyalty against, 133.
destruction of property of, by Arnold,
143-
Gilliland, William.
arrest of, 154.
financial difficulties of, 1 54 et seq.
Mr. Watson's statement concerning
career of, 1 58.
inscription on monument of, 159.
Gunnison's, 350.
SI.
Haldemand, Sir Frederick, 152.
Hale, Hon. Robert S. 303.
Hand, Hon. Augustus C, 297.
Hardy, Sir Charles, 76.
Havens, Hon. Palmer E. biography of, 696.
Hendrick, Mohawk chief, speech of, 70.
Hiawatha, legend of 35.
Hooper, William, biography of, 675.
Howe, Lord, 84.
death of, 85.
Howe, Sir William, 136.
Houses, first, 166.
Hudson, Henry, 51.
Hunters' pass, the, 31.
Indians, occupation by, 32 et seq.
Algonquin, 32 et seq.
Adirondack, 33 et seq.
Iroquois, 33 et seq.
Five Nations 34.
legend of origin of, 35.
clan system of, 36.
Jesuits among the, 38.
missionaries among the, 39.
course of, in the Revolution, 121.
Immigration, early, 159.
Improvements, beginning of public, 159.
Iron interest, first, 165, 184.
J".
James, Duke of York, grant to, 55.
Jay, town of, 454.
natural characteristics, 454.
early incidents in, 455.
supervisors of, 457.
municipal history of, 457.
churches of 459.
Upper Jay in, 460.
Ausable Forks in, 461.
press of, 464.
schools of, 464.
churches, 464.
Jesuits, the, 38.
death penalty upon, 61.
Jogues, Father Isaac, 39.
Johnson, Colonel Beverly, 151.
Johnson, Colonel Guy, 121.
Johnson, Sir John, in the Champlain valley, 144
Johnson, Sir William, 62, 68, 71, 78 et seq.,
121.
Justice court and court of special session, 285.
Index.
751
Keene, town of, 609.
natural characteristics of, 609.
early settlements in, 610.
supervisors of, 611.
municipal history of, 612.
churches of, 613.
Keene Valley in, 614.
Keeseville village, 510.
Kellogg, Hon. Orlando, 300.
Kieft, Wilham, 52.
Knox, Henry, 120.
Lake Champlain, operations on 1776, 128
at seq.
commerce of, 258.
islands in, 259.
rivers entering, 259.
boys of, 259.
ferries of, 260.
steamboats on, 260.
statistics of trade upon, 266.
Land grants, conflicting, 97.
Land patents, 241 et seq.
French and English, 242.
Lead mine, legendary, 512.
Legislative acts for various purposes, 1 8 1 et seq.
Lewis, town of, 560.
natural characteristics of, 560.
early settlers of, 561.
municipal history of, 564.
records of, 565.
population of, 566.
present officers of, 565.
Lexington, battle of, 117.
Light-houses, 268.
Livy, Baron, 44.
Loudoun, Lord, 76.
Lumbering, 173.
Lyman, General, 75.
IMI.
Macdonough's victory on Lake Champlain,
178.
M'Kenzie, Alexander, biography of, 678.
Magellan, Portuguese discoverer, 44.
Maps and difficulties of mapping, 255.
Masonrv, 318.
Medical profession, 306 et seq.
Members of assembly, 195.
Members of the bar, 288.
Military movements, in 1756.7^-
in 1757. 78.
in 1758, 83 et seq.
in 1759, 91-
in 1760, 95.
in 1812, 176.
Mineral springs, 32.
Minerva, town of, 632.
natural characteristics, 632.
Minerva, town of, 632.
settlement of 633.
municipal history of, 635.
churches of, 636.
supervisors of, 637.
Mineville, 607.
Missionaries, early, to the Indians, 39.
Monkton, General Robert, 96.
Montcalm, Marquis de, 77.
expedition of against Fort William
Henry, 78 et seq.
Watson's opinion of, 80.
Montgomery, General Richard, 122 et seq.
death of, 125.
Monts, Sieur de, 46.
Moore, Sir Henry, 113.
Moriah, town of, 566.
natural characteristics of, 566.
early settlements of, 566.
records of, 571.
physicians of, 573.
attorneys of, 573.
lumber interest in, 574.
iron interest in, 575 et seq.
municipal history of, 584.
press of, 592.
schools of, 592.
churches of, 594.
Moriah Corners, 600.
Moriah Center, 608.
Mountains and mountain ranges, 19 et seq.
IT.
Names, Indian, of lakes, rivers, mountains,
etc., 40.
Natural curiosities, 30.
Navigation projects, 267.
Newcomb, town of, 641.
natural characteristics of, 641.
early settlers of, 642.
the Adirondack Iron company in, 644.
civil list of, 650.
New Hampshire grants controversy, 1 1 1 et seq
Newspaper, the first, 180.
NicoUs, Admiral Richard, 55.
Ninety-sixth regiment N. Y. volunteers, 215.
Noble, Harmon, biography of, 670.
Noble, General Ransom, biography of, 668.
North Elba, town of, 660.
natural characteristics of, ■ 660.
earlv history of, 662.
John Brown's residence in, 663.
schools, etc., of, 664.
supervisors of, 668.
North Hudson, town of, 656.
natural characteristics of, 656.
early settlements in, 656.
municipal history of, 659.
supervisors of, 660.
o.
Occupation, first permanent, of the Champlain
Valley, 62.
752
Index.
Officers of the county, present, ig6.
One hundred and eighteenth regiment N. Y.
volunteers, 228.
One hundred and fifty-thijd regiment N. Y.
volunteers, 240.
Osborne, Sir Danvers, 69.
Owen, Edward J., biography of, 677.
"Patriot war,'' the, 187.
Peace of Breda, 56.
Press, the, 315.
the Reveille, 316.
Essex Patriot, 316.
Essex Republican, 316.
Keeseville Republican, 316.
Keeseville Argus, 316.
Essex County Republican, 316.
Northern Standard, 316.
Essex County Times, 317.
Elizabethtown Post, 317.
Ticonderoga Sentinel, 317.
Crown Point Budget, 317.
Port Henry Herald, 318.
Ausable River Gazette, 318.
Old Settler, 318.
Mountain Echo, 318.
Berean Guide, 318.
Westport Herald and Essex County
Advertiser, 318.
Present bar, 290.
Present officers of the county, 196.
Pioneer life, description of, 169.
Plattsburg, battle of, 178.
Ponce de Leon, 44.
Pont-Grev6, early navigator, 46 et seq.
Putnam, Major Israel, 84.
capture and torture of, 89.
Ql.
Queen Anne's War, 61.
Quebec, attack upon, 93.
fall of, 95.
attempt at recapture of, 95.
assault upon, by Montgomery and
Arnold, 125.
Railroads, 269.
Rainbow Falls, 31.
Rebellion, Essex county in the, 197.
its effects, 192.
Regents of university, 196.
" Regiohne " rock, identification of, 62.
Representatives. in congress, 194.
Revere, Paul, 117.
Revolution, the first bloodshed of, 115.
Roads, early, 160, 162 et seq.; 185 et seq.; 191.
Roberval, Jean Francis de, 45.
Rogers, Robert, 66. 76.
Rogers, Robert, 66, 76.
reference to journal of, 77 ; 78 ; 83.
financial course of, 89.
Ross, General Henry H., 292.
biography of, 691.
Ross, Henry Howard, biography of, 695.
Runy, Daniel de, Lord de Courcelles, 55.
s.
St. Armand, town of, 651.
early settlement of, 651.
civil list of, 654.
municipal history of, 654.
St. Clair, General Arthur, 136 et seq.
St. Leger, General, 152.
Sammons, Frederick and Jacob, adventure of,
145 et seq.
School-houses, first, 165.
Schroon, town of, 528.
natural characteristics of, 528.
early settlement of, 529.
supervisors of, 534.
churches of, 535.
municipal history of, 537.
physicians. of, 539.
South, 539.
Schuyler, John, expedition of, 59.
Schuyler, Major Peter, 60 et seq.
Schuyler, General Philip, 122, 135.
Second New York cavalry, 241.
Settlements, early, in the county, 160.
Seventy-seventh regiment, N. Y. volunteers,
211.
Sheep-raising, 190.
Sheriffs, 195.
Sherman, George, biography of, 686.
Simonds, William, biography of, 684.
Simmons, Geo. A. 299.
Skeene, the elder, 108.
Smith, Dr. John, biography of, 673
Smith, Peter, 188.
Smith, Gerrit, 188.
Soil, early productions of, 172.
Soldiers' grants of land, 243.
" Sons of Liberty," the, 113.
trouble between, and the soldiers, 114.
Special judge, and surrogate, 196.
Split Rock, 31.
Stamp act, the, 113.
repeal of, 1 14.
Stark, General, at Bennington, 141.
as ranger, 76, 78.
State arsenal, 275.
State senators, 195.
Statistics of commerce on Lake Champlain,
266. '
Steamboats on Lake Champlain, 260 et seq
Street, Alfred B., 33.
Stuyvesant, Peter, 55.
Sullivan, General, 126.
Superintendents of poor, 277.
Supreme court, 281.
judge, 197.
Index.
753
Surrogates, 196, 287.
courts, 284.
Tea, duty on, 115.
thrown overboard at New York and
Boston, 116.
Territorial claims, authority for, 63.
Territorial limits of count)', 324.
Ticonderoga, capture of by Amherst, 92.
capture of by Ethan Allen, 1 17.
Allen's account of, 118.
fort at, 72.
expedition against in 1758, 84.
town of, 361.
early history of, 361.
military history of, 362 et seq.
Rogers's rock in, legend of, 365.
description of ruins in, 370.
natural characteristics of, 377.
Indian battlegrounds in, 381.
early settlements in, 382 et seq.
early schools, etc., in, 396.
lumber interest in, 398.
iron interest in, 399.
the graphite industry in, 401.
agriculture in, 403.
prominent public events in, 405 et seq.
list of soldiers of, 411.
town records of, 413.
supervisors of, 414.
present officers of, 414.
physicians of, 415.
lawyers of, 416.
municipal history, 417 et seq.
village of, 417 et seq.
the press of, 429.
schools, 430.
churches, 435.
Thacher, Dr. James, journal of, 128 et seq.
journal of, continued, 136, 139.
Thirty-eighth regiment N. Y. volunteers, 209.
Thirty-fourth regiment N. Y. volunteers, 208.
Thomas, General, 126.
Towns, formation of, 173, 183.
Town histories :
Crown Point, 324.
Ticonderoga, 361.
Willsborough, 441.
Jay, 454.
Elizabethtown, 466.
Chesterfield, 493.
Schroon, 528.
Essex, 540.
Lewis, 560.
Moriah, 566.
Keene, 609.
Westport, 615.
Minerva, 632.
Wilmington 637.
Newcomb, 641.
St. Armand, 651.
North Hudson, 656.
Town histories :
North Elba, 660.
Tories and Indians, course pursued by, m the
Revolution, 121.
Traces of Indian occupancy, 33.
Tract, John Brown's, 19. '^
Tracy M. de, 55.
Traditon, Iroquois, 35.
Treason in Vermont, 1 50 et seq.
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, 69.
Treaty of Ryswick, 61.
rights under, 63.
Treaty of Utrecht, 61.
Tribal relations of the Iroquois, 36.
Tryon, Governor, 112, 115, 121.
Twenty-second regiment N. Y. volunteers,
204 et seq.
-v.
Van Corlear, Arent, 56.
Vandreuil, 77.
Verrazzani, Jean, 44.
Volunteers, official action concerning, 198.
enlistments of, 203.
companies of, 203.
■w.
Walpole, Robert, 65.
War, declaration of, between England and
France in 1744, 66.
party, first, on Lake George, 60.
French and English, 1756, 76.
of 1812, 175 et seq.
Queen Anne's, 61.
Washington, General George, 120.
plan of, to capture Quebec, 123, 135.
Water system and drainage, 21.
Watson,' W. C, 23, 33, 44-46. 48, 50, 51, 53,
56, 58, 59, 64, 65, 71-73. 75-78. 80,
83, 85, 89, 91-93. 97-103. 105, 108,
109, 126, 132, 137, 156-158, 190, 197,
259, 270, 277, 288, 443, 494, 505,
506, 522 et seq.,- 532.
Webb, General, 79.
pusillanimous conduct of, 80.
Westport, town of, 615.
natural characteristics of, 615.
early settlers in, 615.
records of, 616.
supervisors of, 618.
municipal history of, 618.
press of, 619.
physicians of, 622.
churches of, 623.
Wadham's mills in, 630.
Wilderness, the great, 192.
Williams, Colonel Ephraim, 73.
death of, 74.
Wilmington, town of, 637.
natural characteristics of, 638.
early settlements in, 639.
supervisors of, 641.
Notch, 30.
754
Index.
Willsborough, covenant of people of, 109.
early documents of, no.
" Willsborough town book," 99.
Willsborough, town of, 441.
origin of name of, 441.
boundaries of, 441.
natural characteristics of, 441.
resources of, 442.
settlenvent of, 443.
Willsborough, population of, 449.
municipal history of, 449.
physicians of, 451.
churches of, 451.
Witherbee, Jonathan Oilman, biography of,
687.
Wolfe, General, at Quebec, 94.
Woodford, Charles W., biography of, 679.
Wooster, General, 124.
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